House of Blues Treats Chicago Executives to Swanky Speed Networking
CHICAGO – The Foundation Room within the House of Blues Chicago treated heavy hitters in Chicago’s business and technology scene to some swanky speed networking on March 7, 2007. The event, which was produced by eXtreme Networking and SpeedNetworking.com, was the first time speed networking took place at the area’s House of Blues.

The mood lights were dim, incense swirled in the air, Buddha statutes were all around and many people were introduced to Ganesh – the god of wisdom who is depicted as a short man with an elephant’s head – for the first time. The invite-only gathering was unmistakably a night to remember.

As attendees arrived at the House of Blues, the professional crowd ascended the private elevators while hundreds of yutes were directed into the venue’s concert hall.
Just out of the elevator at the entrance of the Foundation Room, a small Buddha greeted guests and incense set the vibe.
With the evening in full swing, the Foundation Room was completely overtaken by the speed networkers. Still, the design of the night was to keep the feel compact and intimate.
The Foundation Room sports an array of private hideaways. Networkers brought their noshes and spirits in with guests of their choosing when the time came to truly isolate business conversation.
Guests were treated to complimentary drinks in the form of wooden nickels.
Following ample time for cocktail networking toward the beginning of the evening, attendees descended a spiral staircase…
…and couldn’t miss the ornate and elaborate art.
Once downstairs, attendees took their speed networking seats in the main room (pictured here) along with one adjoining side room. Some of the networking stations in the main room included private, velvet booths.
In addition to allowing attendees to select their meeting preferences in advance, the eXtreme Networking software minimizes movement between stations and sometimes allows for no movement at all. William A. Lederer, a serial “multipreneur” in Chicago, occupied one such booth for much of the night. He is pictured here with investor Steve Vivian of Prism Capital.
It’s no doubt that ITA President Fred Hoch spoke with Pat Ryan Jr. – whose father heads the committee to bring the Olympics to Chicago in 2016 – on why the Windy City will beat out Los Angeles. Ryan heads up Chicago-based INCISENT Technologies.
Salad Spinners owner Rich Levy (front left) spoke with Janet Rogers (front right) of WANetics. WANetics and Synergy Law Group sponsored the night.
As nightfall set in and the evening wound down, guests left with goodie bags.
Some guests, though, peaked in for a quick glance from atop the main concert hall to remember the hordes of yutes from the beginning of the evening.
The featured act was a band that coins itself “Cartel,” and though certainly not a scientific representation, it was safe to say that many of the speed networkers had never heard these tunes.

By ADAM FENDELMAN Editor-in-Chief SpeedNetworking.com adam@speednetworking.com