"The real value for these meetings is to establish human capital," said Jennifer Kronstain, the CEO of CommConnect. "One of the big objectives of the PhillyWIT group is to reach out to the community whether they are in technology or media."
The Philadelphia Women in Technology (WIT) group uses an Internet list serve to communicate and organize itself through the Philadelphia link at www.worldwit.org.
Several of the organizers emphasized that the organization was not restricted to women although the majority of the membership is female.
Kronstain met several artists, the owner of an art studio, an IT professional who had been recently laid off and many entrepreneurs.
She started her digital media consulting company a year ago with $2,500 for a company Web site (Commconnectllc.com), promotional materials and start-up capital. The former promotions manager for AOL TV has on major client, Agent155.com and several smaller ones, she said.
"The idea is to create business and to create community," said Kronstain.
The Philadelphia organizer of the event believes its main value is networking opportunities.
"This gave people an opportunity to talk one-on-one with colleagues," said Susan Stapleton, the executive director of Philadelphia Women in Technology (WIT). She is also president of Ink by the Gallon Publishing in Philadelphia. "Women have few opportunites to network with other people."
Stapleton has operated her content development and graphic design firm since February. Her six clients include the Pennsylvania Convention Center and Innovation Philadelphia.
"My job was to introduce people to other people at the meeting," said Stapleton. "I've been called the 'queen of networking.'
"I would find people on the sidelines and get them to meet the people I know. I was doing a lot of matchmaking."
A Norristown attorney with an interest in technology enjoyed the WIT meeting.
"Technology is important to lawyers in the 21st century whether it is for research or office equipment," said Amy Sosnov, a partner in Sosnov & Sosnov. "I also like meeting other professional women."
The lawyers' Web site, sosnov.com, was designed by Karen Ellis.
The networking coordinator for Philadelphia WIT, Tracy Brant of Conshohocken, was the master of ceremonies for the networking event.
"We're trying to produce more useful networking events," saod Brant. "I did a lot of community outreach by going to offices in West Conshohocken and Norristown businesses."
Independent consultant Tracy Brant runs Gryphyn Media Inc. in Conshohocken with Web clients in 13 states. She was a community planner at the Montgomery County Planning Commission from 1989 to 1991.
"I met more people from Central Montgomery County than I normally meet in a business day," said Brant. "It was valuable for me."
Carl Rotenberg can be reached at crotenberg@timesherald.com or 610-272-2500, ext. 350.