Do we have enough Paulistas for a geekdinner?

July 6 2008

In two weeks, I will be visiting São Paulo, Brazil for the first time.  I'm in town for five days, with the main draw for me being my ½ day speaking at Lotus "Top Gun" training.  This is only my second business trip to South America, and the first to feature one-on-one customer meetings, so I'm quite looking forward to the experience.

The question of the day is, would Paulistas be interested in a geekdinner?  For those who have not been, the term "geekdinner" is caringly applied to IT folks or even IT aficionados.  In other words, you don't really have to be a geek or a nerd to attend a geekdinner.  It's just an informal way for people who participate in an electronic community to get together in person.  I skipped the opportunity when I was in Rio a couple of years back (other than running into a blog reader at hotel checkout), since that trip was truly an off-grid week.  For this trip, I can think of no better experience than sitting in a great churrascaria  with large plates of meat, a cold chopp, and some friendly Brasilians. Are you out there?  Let me know via comment or e-mail.  I'm in town from the 20th to the 24th.  And yes, I know, in São Paulo, another good dining choice would be sushi in Liberdade ...

Ed Brill | Highland Park, IL USA Category:  Travel  Add/View Comments [5]

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  1. 1  LongLiveLotus  | 7/6/2008 6:21:53 PM

    Ed,

    thanks for the shoutout - honoured that you remember...

    The guy I was with in the lobby in Rio was IT illeterate and I told him you were the Bill Gates of IBM. This was meant as a compliment and he was megga impressed ;-)

    Oh to be in Rio again...

    Regards,

    Mark

  1. 2  Enio Basso http://ebasso.net | 7/8/2008 3:53:29 PM

    Ed

    is good to know that you are coming to Brazil.

    I not reside in São Paulo, and didn't know about your participation in Lotus Top Gun, so i will not drink some chopps you :(

    But i made a post in my blog and in Lotus Brasil Forum at developer works, certainly you will find some people for a geekdinner.

  1. 3  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 7/8/2008 4:11:59 PM

    @2 Obrigado, Enio.

    As my Twitter followers know, there may be some issues with me getting to this event -- the Brazilian consulate here in Chicago told me yesterday that they may not be able to grant my visa in time. I will post updates in this thread and new ones ... I will not know for sure until Friday, 18 July!

  1. 4  Todd Carpenter http://www.embraer.com | 7/8/2008 5:22:52 PM

    Ed, I would have been glad to join you for a geekdinner, but I am not going to be in Brazil at the same time as you. Perhaps if you make it to Miami someday?

  1. 5  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 7/8/2008 5:34:48 PM

    @4 cool. Maybe in Miami and environs in late September.