Posts by David Burton

Why a student takeover?

Thursday, October 7th, 2010

Meetdraw is open to everyone in digital no matter what their job title. It’s also open to every digital animal regardless of what stage of their career they’re at. Our events attract a great mix across digital disciplines and across the experience spectrum. We’re lucky to have some of the UK’s top digital and creative courses running locally at BU and AUCB, and we’re always pleased to see a good turn out from these students at Meetdraw.

It’s not just the cheap drinks that bring them out of the woodwork, besides with all us weathered old professionals guarding the bar in our practised and honed manner, they rarely get to push through to the front. If you speak to the students at Meetdraw you’ll realise there’s an enthusiasm and willingness not only to be involved with the digital industry but also to shape it.

Some of the students we’ve met have greatly impressed us with their energy, commitment and talent. So much so in fact, that when they suggested that they’d like to run a meetdraw, and were so bold to propose that they could do it better than us and perhaps “show us a thing or two”, how could we refuse?

Get ready for MeetDraw7

With just days to go I know the students are still working hard on this event. So far, they haven’t disappointed, and ‘Meetdraw 7 the student takeover’ looks like it could be an epic!

No pressure guys (-;

Meetdraw 6: Picking the meat off the bones

Monday, July 26th, 2010

I heart 6

I like the number six. I always have. It’s one of my favourites. Well certainly in my top ten, but then I guess it’s in every top ten.

  • Six is the smallest perfect number.
  • There are six strings on a standard guitar.
  • A coffin is traditionally buried six feet under the ground.
  • Six, in Latin, is sex, a fact that I’ll never forget ever since our Latin teacher made me shout it out as loud as I could (while counting to ten) as he hung me by the ankles out of a first floor window.
  • A client of mine once said “all Mexicans have six sides”. With hindsight, she might have said “hexagons” but it was a dull meeting and I was staring out of the window and not really paying much attention.

Six is also, of course, the number of degrees of Kevin Bacon, and while we’re on the subject of meat, it looks like number six was quite possibly the best Meetdraw yet?

A fab evening

From the comments we’ve had via twitter, email and face to face, it seems that everyone enjoyed it.
It may have been the sunny weather, the stunning seaside view, or the great venue that tipped it, but for sure, all these things together form the very best of what Bournemouth has to offer. Add to that our mix of Meetdraw digital animals ready to chat, share, drink and have fun together then you can see why it was such a fabulous evening.

Meetdraw6

Spirits were high throughout the evening as the crowds increased, and there was an overriding feeling of determination and a sense of togetherness despite the less than cheery economic prospects that loom large.

With all our holidays, job changes, honeymoons (congratulations Mr Seys) and sabbaticals getting in the way, it’s been trickier than usual to organize Meetdraw and it certainly wouldn’t have been possible without all those who came forward to help, volunteering their time, money, or both.

Thanks again

We’d like to thank these people again, so could the following please stand up and take a bow:

Meetdraw6

We need you

MeetDraw is an event run for, and by, our local digital community and we’re always on the look out for new volunteers to help each time and help share the love. So, give us a shout and let us know if you’d like to be part of future plans.

Meetdraw 7 ?

Yep, of course, but you’ll have to wait for the Autumn. And it’s going to be a student takeover. That’s right, we bumped into a group of students who reckon that they can put on a Meetdraw that puts all others to shame, so we’ve called their bluff and challenged them to prove it. The bar’s been raised now, so let’s see if they feel the pressure?

Now let me see, seven?… hmmm, there are seven fundamental types of catastrophes. Good luck (-;

Sandcastle competition @ Meetdraw 6

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Meetdraw 6 is hours away and the weather forecast is improving all the time. We hope you’ll come and join us on the beach for an amazing BBQ, our favourite local foodie stands, a rounders tournament, and the usual networking buzz and chit chat.

We’ll also be handing out prizes for the best meat themed sandcastle creations. So come along, bring a beer or two, and get some sand in your pants!

Meetdraw 6

Photos from Meetdraw4

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

Check out a whole bunch of photos on Flickr and see what other Meetdrawers want for Christmas.

Thanks to John Parker and Jamie White for capturing it all.

Free beer

Sunday, December 6th, 2009

We’re chuffed that Creative Advantage & the Dorset Design Forum have again given us a huge chunk of money to put behind the bar. Those of you that get there early enough can swap your signature for one of our beer tokens.