Friday, January 12, 2001

TCS Intro ~ 1/12/01

There's enough buzz in the industry to keep things spurring forward,
despite the media's insistence on playing up the downturn. And this
January, there are enough events to keep one's mind busy and focused
on the business at hand -- making business and money.

This month is also marked by two significant charity benefits. The
Association for Interactive Media held its evening of charity event
on January 10th, and we will be hosting our 3rd Silicon Alley Black
Tie benefit on January 25th. There are some significant differences
between these events, as indicated below.

AIM's event focused on raising awareness and money for three
Children's charities (illness, life skills and missing). The
Cocktails with Courtney event will benefit one. We are working with
a NYC public school to bring the students technology and access. AIM
had a cocktail hour, silent auction and sit-down dinner. In keeping
with that tradition, we will feature cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and
a silent auction. AIM housed their event at the opulent Russian Tea Room
for a second year in a row. We will be moving from the extravagant
Metropolitan Club to the trendy and simply elegant W Hotel on Union
Square. AIM had significant sponsorship. We had the unfortunate
experience of having our original lead sponsor pull out two-and-a-half
weeks before our event.

Thus, AIM's event went off smashingly, while I am entreating all my
devoted readers -- and anyone to whom you can forward this newsletter
-- to please help us ensure a successful event. And please Rsvp
for our benefit on January 25th. We are trying to raise as much money
as we can for the East Harlem Career Academy-a junior high school
focused on careers and technology. If your firm has some cash to
donate, please let us know. If you have time to mentor; teach a class;
host an open house; or donate hardware, software or services, please
let us know. This is a year-long initiative, and we will be signing
up companies throughout the year. This event is our kick-off to a year
of charity and volunteerism. We need to focus on our future generations
as our country moves into a new era of political leadership and economic
change.

Please lend your support by coming, volunteering,
getting your company involved, and signing up as a sponsor.

Thank you all for considering this, and for remembering that charity
Begins at home. We must care for our city, the children in our city,
and the personal and social benefits of such actions.

For more information:
AIM: www.interactivehq.org / CWC: www.cocktailswithcourtney.com