The Courtney Report on Her West Coast Excursion: Part 1

The Courtney Report on Her West Coast Excursion:
Part One - Cocktails with Courtney kicks off the Webby Awards Reception

San Francisco has always been kind to me and this trip was no exception. The weather was gloriously warm and sunny. It's a pleasant surprise as I usually forget "the city" is chillier than the stereotypical constantly warm, sunny California climate. My accommodations were also a giddy luxury as I was able to set up temporary residence at the hip W Hotel. And from my 19th floor king-sized quarters I had a perfect view of the idyllic Yerba Buena Gardens, the Metreon, SF MOMA and the Mosconi Center. I even got out to enjoy some of the day and typed a bit as I lay outstretched on a fine blue W Hotel blanket in the center of gardens. Church bells rang, in recognition of some passing of time or event and couples lounged in the warm sun.

When I arrived yesterday, July 17th, I checked into the W and did the typical business traveler routine: made calls, answered email and unpacked. Since my cocktail party was starting earlier this night I showered, dressed and got ready for my cocktail party and headed over to the Foreign Cinema. The Webby Awards Luncheon had ended and I had just enough time to do my usual run-around as I set up and dispersed the "good-luck-pixie-dust" confetti. InternetWire, the sponsor for the party, was well represented by chairman Michael Terpin and Western Region VP M. Reynolds Morgan, who also set up.

With over 400 rsvps the Foreign Cinema was a unique venue for our event, as they had several large drinking and dining rooms. Guests begin arriving as we were finishing setting up so the night got rolling early. Mojitos and complimentary Bombay Sapphire drinks were flowing and I'd ordered hors d'oeuvres to satiate some early hunger pangs (at least till the alcohol kicked in) for the guests. Unfortunately the Foreign Cinema and I do not share the same point of view on quantity for value (i.e. there weren't as many seared-tuna-on-toast-points as I expected).

Nonetheless many SF dot-com old timers as well as some newcomers came to check out our national cocktail happening. Among the guests who have proved to be dear supporters were the visionary NRW PR Chairman Bill Ryan, community builder Craig Newmark (of Craig's list), marketing and ad-guru analyst Michael Tchong, sfGirl.com Patty Beron, Edelman PR Global Technology VP Colette Ballou and Hambrecht & Quist's Kirsten Bartok, writer and editor Caroline Waxler, Technanogy EVP Scott Mize and my good friend Lisa Jouris. TechTV's Guest Relations & Booking director Cathy Brooks added color and vivacity to the party with her bubbly bon mots and blue rabbit fur vest.

Read about all the other fabulously witty cocktailers....

CLICK FOR THE FULL STORY:
http://www.thecyberscene.com/cgi-bin/show.cgi?city=newyork&issue=current#1