We’re only a couple days from the opening party, so here’s a list of events that will more than likely be an awesome time. Additionally, they’ll probably be packed with people you’ve probably never met before (which is perfect for networking).  I’ve taken the top 5 events, according to the number of people who have RSVP’ed on Plancast, that are not centered around a single topic.  This may not be the most accurate number of attendees, but gives you a great idea about the interest of the event.

Kick- Off Party with Trada - 217 guests confirmed
Trada · Thursday, May 17, 2012, 6-9:00pm
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This was by far my favorite event last year and I’m sure it will be a blast this time around as well.  The Trada space is not only large, but has a very unique industrial feel. What Trada says about the party: Kick-off Boulder Startup Week with good food, great drinks, and even better company. 21+ only, please!

Ignite Boulder – 180 guests confirmed
Boulder Theater · Wednesday, May 16, 2012, 7-9:00pm
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This gathering has made it’s way into my heart as one of the best bi-monthly events out there, and is perfect for the Boulder Startup Week crowd. It’s a great atmosphere to meet some bright people and to leave the venue knowing more than you did before.  Just as expected though, this event sold out three weeks before the event, so if you haven’t got a ticket, you need to start asking around for extras.  What Ignite Boulder is: Ignite Boulder is a night of presentations with a twist. Presenting on a subject of their choice, speakers have exactly 5 minutes to teach something, enlighten us, or simply inspire — backed by 20 slides auto-advancing every 15 seconds.

Closing Party: Geek Field Day - 139 guests confirmed
Quick Left · Saturday, May 19, 2012, 6-9:00pm
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This event has left me scratching my head, in a good way though. They’ve left a certain mystery to what is actually going to be happening, and it seems to be working to get people to come. What Quickleft says about it: Boulder’s smartest startups have created challenges that you will compete in for prizes and glory – and probably some dizziness! Are you geek enough?

Craft Beer Party with Mocavo - 105 guests confirmed
Mocavo · Saturday, May 19, 2012, 3-5:00pm
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The title of this event kind of speaks for itself, but if you like beer, this is your jam.  What Mocavo says about the event: Come hang out with the Mocavo team in our awesome downtown location! We’re bringing in plenty of local craft beer, including a few custom kegs created just for the debut of our newly-renovated office.

GOOD Maker Boulder Launch Party - 105 guests confirmed
Centro Latin Kitchen · Wednesday, May 16, 2012, 9-11:00pm
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Whenever you see ‘Launch Party’ in a event title, you know it’s going to be a good time.  Being held at Centro, this venue is always great to have a party, especially if the weather is nice.  What GOOD Maker says about the event: Drink specials, photos, fun extra things and ALSO the launch of GOOD Maker in Boulder (a tool through which any org of any kind can essentially crowd source anything!)

P.S. I’ll be at most of these events with pockets full of my sweet #BOULDER stickers that I mentioned in How Boulder Startup Week Changed My Life.

It wasn’t so long after I applied that I got a call from Ryan Wanger, one of the team members that puts on this wonderful event.  He told me that they’d love to fly me out, hook me up with a place to stay, and introduce me to the Boulder startup culture.  I accepted, booked my flight, and was in Boulder all within a few weeks.  I flew in during the night, so I really had no idea how many beautiful landscapes I missed on the way into Boulder from the airport, but the next morning, I was sold.

The beauty of Boulder really speaks for itself, and as I walked down the Boulder creek bike path on my way downtown for the first time, there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to move here. That was only the tip of the iceberg of the things that drew me deeper into conversion. Pearl St. was another eye-opener for me, the fountains, the coffeeshops, and the people watching all was the perfect mixture that reminded me of one of my other favorites cities, Burlington, VT.

After a day of settling in, the doors of all startups in town began to open, luring every geek in with free beer, nerf gun fights, and the chance to work them.  My first office party was at Trada for the opening event. I walked in and was told to check-in on foursquare (the geek in me smiled) and after that pointed me to the keg in the back. As the night went on, I grabbed all the swag I could, roamed around meeting the other Startup Week fly-ins, and took a ride on adult-sized tricycles (probably one, too many times).

Ten offices parties later and business cards falling out of my pockets, I was ready to start following up with people.  As I sat at one of the tables in Atlas Purveyors, I emailed the companies that I was interested in pursuing. I ended up grabbing coffee with lots of great people and further expanding my Boulder network.

Fast-foward three months, I moved to Boulder.

I was lucky enough to hold a job that let me work remote to explore my options for my next career move. I created a #hirematt campaign to get the word out using the powers of twitter.  If you haven’t already figured it out, everyone who has anything to do with the tech scene in Boulder, is on twitter.  The site was a single-page that allowed people to get in touch with me, promote me on twitter, learn a bit more about my background, and where I wanted to go.  It was a great success and I landed some awesome interviews with some great companies.  One company (The Daily Dot, that’s not in Boulder) stuck out from all the rest and I decided to become their first in-house designer.  After the job hunt dust settled, I scored an office downtown where I cowork with the Rafflecopter team.

Now, coming up on my second Boulder Startup Week, I couldn’t be more excited. I’m going to try to attend 90% of the events (there’s around 50 this year) if my liver allows it.  Also, I’m really pumped to be helping out this year with some of the design work. I was able to do design a banner for the offical events along with the name tags people will be wearing during the opening party.  On top of that,  I had some #Boulder stickers made which will be floating around the events, so look out for those!

-M@

Photo by: Jesse Varner

-M@