In the past few years I've found myself a lot more interested in the 'community' aspects of the technology field. I've recently had the pleasure to be involved in two great local technology projects.
[caption id="attachment_247" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="http://darylchymko.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/swDaryl.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-247" title="Startup Weekend" src="http://darylchymko.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/swDaryl.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> The Final presentations at Startup Weekend[/caption]
<h4>Startup Weekend</h4>
I attended Startup Weekend Vancouver in 2010 and by the time the event was over, I had decided it was something I wanted to bring to the Okanagan. During the following summer, I formed an organizing committee and nine months later we held the very first Startup Weekend Okanagan. The event saw 65 participants form into 10 teams that came out with a variety of amazing web apps and mobile solutions. The reaction from the community was extremely positive and we're already organizing a follow-up event.
For more information see <a href="http://okanagan.startupweekend.org">Okanagan Startup Weekend</a>
[caption id="attachment_209" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-209" title="co+Lab Open House" src="http://darylchymko.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_0706-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> co+Lab Open House[/caption]
<h4>OK co+Lab</h4>
<a href="http://pixelsavvy.com">Shane Austin</a> and myself have co-founded a shared work space for creative types in the technology and media fields. What started of as a small ambition to have 3 or 4 freelancers share an office quickly grew into a much larger ambition. The co+Lab officially opened it doors in September 2011 and is currently at 10 members with another 2 spaces to be added in January 2012. The benefits of being around other like-minded individuals have become apparent and several new ventures have already been formed between members.
For more information see <a href="http://okcolab.com">okcolab.com</a>
<h4>Okanagan Developer Group</h4>
Over the past two years I've helped build a vibrant local developer community with 250+ members. We've held ten events over the past year and my involvement has been gathering presenters and obtaining sponsorships. I've also given talks at 3 events on topics such as PHP, Near Field Communications and “How to be an awesome freelancer”.
More information can be found at <a href="http://okdg.org">okdg.org</a>