From all of us at XNet, we had a great time at Silicon Prairie Social 3 last Thursday night. Thanks to everyone who came out, making the event what it’s become known as; the premier technology networking event in the Chicago suburbs.

Photos
Here are the photos taken by our photographer, Glenn Phenicie. We’ve uploaded them to Flickr with the tag ‘siliconprairiesocial3‘ (please tag your Flickr photos with the same so others can find them). We’ll also add them to the event’s Facebook group.

Prize Winners
Congratulations to our raffle winners, and thanks to our sponsors for some great prizes! The winners are as follows:

• Grand Prize Winner: Matt Schwartz - 24.1″ LCD Flat Panel Monitor from Sun Microsystems
• Terry Flanagan - Lunch and iPhone 3G from Obtiva
• Stacie Berkmeier - Trademark Consultation, Research, and Filing ($1000 value) from Saper Law Offices
• Stan Fisher - Iomega 1TB Desktop Hard Drive from Imprint Enterprises
• Young Wang - 2GB iPod Shuffle from XNet

Keep in Touch:
Use the Facebook Group and LinkedIn Group to keep in touch with fellow Silicon Prairie Social attendees.

Thanks
From all of us at XNet, we’d like to again thank everyone who came out and made this event memorable by your presence. We’re honored that our simple idea of bringing the suburban technology community together has caught on to the degree it has. Also, special thanks to Stephanie, Scott, and the entire staff of Mullen’s Bar and Grill for the wonderful hospitality and smooth event.

We want to especially thank our sponsors, without whom this event would not be possible: Premier Sponsor Sun Microsystems, along with Obtiva, Imprint Enterprises, Delivered Innovation, Saper Law Offices, M5 Networks, Heil & Heil Insurance, AMCORE Bank, Immigration Law Associates P.C., and Bradley Wiltjer Marketing Group.

Stay Tuned:
Finally, to receive updates on future events, take a moment to subscribe to this blog via RSS or via email by following the links below the sponsor logos to the right.

Until next time,

Arthur Zards
Tim Courtney
XNet
Co-Hosts, Silicon Prairie Social

Silicon Prairie Social is back in style this Thursday evening, July 10. Come out and have a good time with area technology professionals, executives, and entrepreneurs at the premier tech networking event for the Chicago suburbs. For details on the event, including time and location, you can read the original event announcement here. Can’t wait to see you there!

RSVP Required
If you haven’t already, make sure you and your friends RSVP here for the event as it’s required to attend.

Speed Up Your Check-In
To minimize your wait in line when you arrive, print your EventBrite confirmation email and staple your business card to it. We will be sending people through the line to collect these and give you your wristband so you can go in.

Taking the train?
Mullen’s is just a 6 minute drive from the Lisle Metra station on the BNSF/Aurora line. Here are some quick links to the Outbound Metra schedule and inbound Metra schedule.

Need a ride? Have extra room? Carpool!
Feel free to use the comments below or the Facebook or LinkedIn Groups to link up with potential carpool partners.

Parking
Mullen’s has plenty of parking. If, however, their lot is full, you are welcome to park next door at the Wyndham hotel at no charge.

Special Thanks
We’d like to again thank our sponsors, without whom this event would not be possible: Premier Sponsor Sun Microsystems, along with Obtiva, Imprint Enterprises, Delivered Innovation, Saper Law Offices, M5 Networks, Heil & Heil Insurance, AMCORE Bank, Immigration Law Associates P.C., and Bradley Wiltjer Marketing Group. Finally, a special thanks goes to event host company XNet.

Greetings, Jeff Huber here from Sun Microsystems, Premier Sponsor for next week’s Silicon Prairie Social. At Sun, we help bring people together to share and to succeed. Innovation, Participation, and Collaboration lead to Opportunity for all of us.

From the very beginning, sharing has been a key ingredient in Sun’s identity. In fact, it’s firmly rooted in our vision that The Network is the Computer. The true power of the network is in sharing ideas and technologies to drive innovation and create new opportunities - both social and economic - around the world.

We believe that core technologies should be shared building blocks that are available to everyone to create, compete, and innovate. That’s why we share key technologies such as OpenSolaris, GlassFish, MySQL, OpenJDK, OpenOffice, and OpenSPARC, just to name a few.

At Sun, sharing takes many forms. Whether it’s taking advantage of a free Try and Buy program, Downloading Software, or joining a community and exchanging information, we offer customers a wealth of resources with one goal in mind - to help them to succeed.

Please stop by the Sun Microsystems table where we will be showcasing programs, communities, and technologies designed to help you:

• Launch your business FAST and at LOW COST with Sun’s Startup Essentials
• Gain ACCESS to developer forums, tools, and on-line training through the Sun Developer Network (SDN)
• Tap into the POWER of the GRID with Sun’s Network.com

Be sure to enter the raffle, as one lucky attendee will be taking home this 24.1-Inch LCD Flat Panel Monitor!

A big thank you to Tim Courtney and the team at XNet for the opportunity to participate in this outstanding event. See you all next Thursday, July 10!

Jeff Huber
Solution Architect
Sun Microsystems, Inc.
jeff.huber@sun.com

Silicon Prairie Social, a technology networking event in the western Chicago suburbs is back by popular demand. The event will be held Thursday, July 10 at Mullen’s Bar & Grill in Lisle. This is a great opportunity to connect in a fun, informal setting with like-minded people in technology!

First we’d like to thank our sponsors; Premier Sponsor Sun Microsystems along with sponsors Obtiva, Imprint Enterprises, Delivered Innovation, Saper Law Offices, M5 Networks, Heil & Heil Insurance Agency, AMCORE Bank, and the Bradley Wiltjer Marketing Group. Be sure to pay our sponsors a visit as they’re the ones who make this all possible. Sponsor Slots Available: If you would like a table at the event, contact us at social [at] xnet {dot} com as there is limited availability for additional sponsors.

Why should I come?

• Free admission (RSVP Required)
• Free drinks and hors d’oeuvres!
• Mingle, network, and learn with other successful tech oriented professionals like yourself.

Who Can Attend?
Silicon Prairie Social is specifically for upwardly mobile tech professionals, tech executives, tech entrepreneurs, technology service providers, Internet professionals, Web 2.0 and startup companies, and the mobile industry. Note we are focusing the attendees of this event by limiting access of a couple categories: No professional recruiters, staffing agencies or active job seekers will be permitted.

Who’s behind this?
Silicon Prairie Social is founded and hosted by Lisle-based XNet. XNet has shown its commitment to growing the suburban tech community by contributing both money and effort to continue to make this a success. The driving force behind Silicon Prairie Social is XNet’s Tim Courtney and Arthur Zards.

When and Where?

Silicon Prairie Social 3
Thursday, July 10
6:30pm-10:00pm (bar open until 1:00am)

Mullen’s Bar and Grill
3080 Warrenville Rd.
Lisle, IL 60532
(Get directions via Google Maps)

At I-88 and Naperville Rd., Silicon Prairie Social is centrally located and easy to get to from all along the llinois Technology and Research Corridor on I-88, the Golden Corridor on I-90, downtown Chicago and the western suburbs.

Want to attend? RSVP here.
The event is free to attend, and RSVP is required, so RSVP early as space is limited. Registration closes at noon on the day of the event, or once the RSVP list reaches its limit. No professional recruiters, staffing agencies or active job seekers are permitted.

We look forward to seeing you in July!

Now that spring and summer are upon us, we’re excited to start planning for the third Silicon Prairie Social in early July. We’re looking forward to gathering the suburban technology crowd yet again!

To make this memorable event happen, we’re looking to secure a few additional table sponsors. If you would love to gain exposure for your company among suburban technology entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals (or if you know someone who would), we’d love to make it happen! If you’re interested in sponsoring, please email Tim Courtney today at tim -at- siliconprairiesocial [dot] com.

Thanks!

Arthur Zards
Tim Courtney
XNet
Co-Hosts, Silicon Prairie Social

Wow, what a great turnout at Silicon Prairie Social 2 last night! This second event was arguably better than the first. We’re glad everyone braved the cold and made it out to have a great time socializing and building business relationships within the suburban Chicago tech community.

Photos
Here’s a selection of the photos we took at the event last night. We’ll post more next week. If you took your own photos last night, please upload them to Flickr and use the tag ‘siliconprairiesocial2‘ to create a shared gallery.

Prize Winners:
Congratulations to our lucky guests who took home one of several prizes given away last night. Andy Thomas from Optimus Solutions took home the XBOX 360 with Halo 3 from Microsoft, Tom Rupp and Bill Winsininski at Imprint-E won an OKI multi-function printer courtesy of ChicagoMicro, Robert Sansome of Optimized Telecom Solutions won Optimus Solutions’ iPod Touch, and Lambert Smith of Stone Cliff Productions won the iPod Nano from Piocon. Finally, the winner of XNet’s 1hr Swedish Massage at Mario Tricoci of Naperville goes to Amanda D. Cook at Simply Aesthetic Design.Keep in Touch:
Use the Facebook Group and LinkedIn Group to keep in touch with fellow Silicon Prairie Social attendees.

Thanks:
First, from all of us at XNet, we’d like to thank those of you who braved the cold and came out to mingle and network with your peers in the tech industry. You made the event a whole lot of fun. We’re glad to be able to host such an event for the suburban tech community.

We want to especially thank our sponsors: Premier Sponsor ChicagoMicro, along with Microsoft, M5 Networks, Kirix, HostedLABS, Optimus Solutions, Piocon, Bradley Wiltjer Marketing Group, and M. Hedayat + Associates, P.C. Also, thanks to the ITA and Business Network Chicago for promoting the event via their calendars.

Send Your Feedback:
Please take a moment to fill out this brief survey and give feedback on the event last night. We sincerely appreciate your input.

Stay Tuned:
Finally, to receive updates on future events, take a moment to subscribe to this blog via RSS or via email by following the links below the sponsor logos to the right.

Until next time,

Arthur Zards
Tim Courtney
XNet
Co-Hosts, Silicon Prairie Social

We’re writing you to communicate some last-minute details in anticipation for tonight’s event. We have a record response for Silicon Prairie Social 2 — we’re excited and can’t wait!

Due to space limitations, we want to relay some specific points beforehand:

• THE EVENT IS FULL. Because of this, all guests must have their printed RSVP and a business card, or they may be denied entry.
• Due to capacity of the venue, plan to arrive towards the beginning of the event. If you arrive late and we experience high turnout, we may need to throttle entry, even for RSVP’ed guests.
• If you have RSVP’ed and are planning to bring a friend, have them RSVP by 3:30 today. RSVPs close at that time.
• Note that we are not accepting walk-ins or offering a waiting list for this event.
• Mullen’s has plenty of parking. If, however, their lot is full, you are welcome to park next door at the Wyndham hotel at no charge.

Need the info again?
Read the original announcement here, and our Monday update with additional details here. Stay warm, and see you tonight!

Arthur Zards
Tim Courtney
XNet
Co-Hosts, Silicon Prairie Social

We’re really looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday night for the second Silicon Prairie Social. What is Silicon Prairie Social? Read the original announcement here, and make sure you and your friends RSVP here (it’s a must to get in–we’re expecting a full event!).

Come out and enjoy yourselves on this winter evening and get to know fellow professionals in the regional tech industry. Can’t wait to see you there!

Reminder: The event is almost full.
If you haven’t RSVP’ed yet, do so now. RSVP (with business card) will be required for admission.

Free Food and Drinks
We’ve opened a tab for you punctual types and ordered a bit more food this time as well. Once the tab is gone, we’ll break out the Rolling Rock again!

Taking the train?
Mullen’s is just a 6 minute drive from the Lisle Metra station on the BNSF/Aurora line. Here are some quick links to the Outbound Metra schedule and inbound Metra schedule.

Need a ride? Have extra room? Carpool!
Feel free to use the comments below or the Facebook or LinkedIn Groups to link up with potential carpool partners.

Parking
Mullen’s has plenty of parking. If, however, their lot is full, you are welcome to park next door at the Wyndham hotel at no charge.

Special Thanks
Again we’d like to offer a special thanks to our sponsors who make this event possible: Premier Sponsor ChicagoMicro, along with Microsoft, M5 Networks, HostedLABS, Kirix, Optimus Solutions, Piocon, Bradley Wiltjer Marketing Group, and M. Hedayat + Associates, P.C.

The Evangelism team at Microsoft – Larry, Dave, Brian and Chris — are coming through yet again by giving away an XBOX 360 with a copy of Halo 3 at Silicon Prairie Social 2. We’ll be handing out your raffle ticket at the check-in table, which you can take to the Microsoft table to enter. While you’re there, be sure to check out Microsoft Expression and Silverlight, and get in a round or two of Guitar Hero in the XBOX room.

It’s going to be a full house, so RSVP if you haven’t already (it’s required) at http://siliconprairiesocial2.eventbrite.com. Here are the event details one more time:

Silicon Prairie Social
Thursday, January 24
6:30pm-10:00pm (bar open until 1:00am)

Mullen’s Bar and Grill
3080 Warrenville Rd.
Lisle, IL 60532
(Get directions via Google Maps)

Also, we’d like to give a quick round of thanks to some of the organizations and bloggers who have helped us get the word out about SPS2:

• Sponsor Angela Binkowski of Microsoft and blog Ravings of a Developer TS
• Sponsor Ben Bradley of Bradley Wiltjer Marketing Group
• Sponsor Mazyar Hedayat of M. Hedayat + Associates
• Illinois Technology Association
• Business Network Chicago
• Technology Executives Club
• TECH cocktail
• Event news blog The Silicon Prairie
• TechSocial
• The Hot Iron

Mike Mecklenburg of ChicagoMicro here. We’re a full service IT hardware, software, and services company, and a proud supporter of Chicago’s technology and entrepreneurial scene.

Chicago has a thriving tech market, and we hope that through events like the Silicon Prairie Social it will continue to grow. As the premier sponsor of Silicon Prairie Social and a longtime supporter of TechCocktail, we believe in the Chicago technology community. And in the spirit of our community helping each other, we want to extend an invitation to all who attend SPS: We hope that you will give ChicagoMicro a chance to help your business grow and prosper. Please stop by our table at the event and say hello. We would like to learn about your business and your technology goals.

In addition, we would like to personally introduce you to our partners that will be joining us; VMWare, Fujitsu, Rackable, and Okidata. They are just as excited as we are about the suburban tech community, and are looking forward to meeting everyone at the event. And I’m sure that they will be bringing some giveaways—so bring a few extra business cards!

Finally we would like to thank Tim and Art from XNet for all the work they have put forth for making this such a successful event! We are looking forward to meeting everyone there!

Sincerely,

Mike Mecklenburg
Sales Manager
ChicagoMicro
mike@chicagomicro.com