PCPGH3 Thanks Sponsors

When my owner was here the other day, I eavesdropped a bit (those of us with eaves can do that!) on his phone call, in which he was describing the awesome behind-the-scenes help of the Podcamp Pittsburgh 3 sponsors:

* Meakem Becker Venture Capital ( mbvc.com/ ) -- Thanks to Alan Veeck and Aaron Tainter, who were on-hand to help entrepreneurs of all sizes better understand how they can build successful brands and businesses

* Viddler ( viddler.com ) -- In addition to providing a high-quality, interactive video platform (and helping spread the word about PCPGH3), Viddler's Brandice Schnabel also led a session on understanding the ins & outs of web ettiquette

* Blubrry ( www.blubrry.com ) -- Angelo Mondato packed a table with swag to help podcasters of all sizes understand the distribution benefits that Blubrry has to offer

* Wizzard Media ( wizzard.tv ) -- Heather Mallak and the inimitable Dave Mansueto shook things up with a session on ideal video compression, and hot buzz about their "next generation" video distribution platform

* VisitPittsburgh ( visitpittsburgh.com ) -- Special thanks to the many folks at VisitPittsburgh who helped organize and host a "new media tour" of Pittsburgh for 6 of our out-of-town speakers, including Jonny Goldstein ( jonnygoldstein.com ), Chris Brogan ( chrisbrogan.com ), Franklin McMahon ( www.franklinmcmahon.com ), Grace Piper ( www.fearlesscooking.tv ), Nathan King ( blip.tv ), and Jim Russell ( burghdiaspora.blogspot.com )

* ShowClix ( showclix.com ) -- ShowClix's Lynsie Camuso was instrumental in creating our registration system, as she does for event-based clients around the country who need fast mobile check-in solutions

* Pair Networks ( pair.com) -- Pair sent a pair of Ryans -- Silbaugh and Smaretsky -- to help our curious web creators explore ways to improve their webhosting process

* Pittsburgh Gateways ( www.pghgateways.org ) -- We couldn't have done PCPGH3 without Gateways, whose financial assistance helped us keep our books straight and our minds on the details that matter (rather than, you know, taxes...)

* The Art Institute of Pittsburgh ( www.artinstitutes.edu/pittsburgh ) -- Without AIP, we'd have been PodCamping outdoors. Thanks to everyone at the facility for being such generous and gracious hosts for 2 straight years

* Wear Pittsburgh ( www.wearpittsburgh.com ) -- If you didn't get a PCPGH3 t-shirt, celebrate your love for the 'burgh by nabbing one of WearPittsburgh's distinctive "neighborhood" styles (including the much-loved "pierogi" and "parking chair" shirts)

* Jason Cable ( www.jasoncable.com ) -- Jason's GLBT podcast and his passion for activism were front and center at this year's event -- and so were his nifty complementary notepads and PCPGH pens!

* AlphaLab ( alphalab.org ) -- Meredith Benedict and Mike Woycheck know how to throw an icebreaker -- AND they know what it takes to incubate half a dozen local tech startups. Will YOU be their next project?

* ElasticLab ( www.elasticlab.com ) -- ElasticLab's founder, Julie Morey, flew in from Colorado to share her expertise as a web startup whose business plan heavily involves social media -- and she's always searching for new talent to bring into the ElasticLab fold...

* Pittsburgh Technology Council ( www.pghtech.org ) -- Tim Hindes from the PTC was on-hand to represent the practical application of technology in Pittsburgh -- and to help bridge the gap between tech enthusiasts and those who want to take their passion to the next (professional) level

* And, last but certainly not least, Alex and Jennifer Landefeld ( houseforlorn.blogspot.com and www.yeoldebasketcase.com ) are two PCPGH3 organizers who added their own funds to the sponsorship pool as a way to ensure we wouldn't run out of food. (And, unless you count those lulls between pizza deliveries, we didn't!)

..HF.