Paula Monthofer's Blog

I started organizing Flagstaff tweetups in 2009.  Back then I called businesses and asked them if they might host a tweetup… And then explained what a tweetup was… And then usually went on to explain what twitter was.  Almost everyone was not interested but I did make many people laugh. Long before I met him IRL, I got a lot of encouragement from @PhxREguy (Jay Thompson) to persist no matter how many people came each month.  What began with about 7 people showing up not knowing what to expect has become a networking, friend-making, local business promoting institution. Now 2011 is booked for the rest of the year, thanks to help from @MikerDzign (Mike Russell) and @accounting4you (Jody Seibert), and we have people asking to get scheduled for 2012.

Each month we highlight a different Flagstaff business who host us in their location and share their wares. This month, Flagstaff’s new restaurant, Pizza Furiosa welcomed the local tweeps with FREE samples of pizza, appetizers and salads. Why would they want to give us all of this DELICIOUS food for free?

Behold the power of social media. Before the August #FLGup (Flagstaff tweetup) even began, the Flagstaff twitter waves were over run with Pizza Furiosa mentions (tweets containing someone’s name). Pizza Furiosa benefited from FREE advertising for days and that is all BEFORE anyone even tried the #10 pizza (so good I am drooling now remembering it). Once the #tweetup began people started tweeting about all of the delicious food we were being served. The next day, people were STILL gushing about the food, the friendly hosts and the fun time they had.

Owner Richard and his staff were gracious hosts of  our group. He completely embodied the collaborative nature of twitter by inviting us to go next door to Wine Styles and enjoy their wine tasting before trying his pizzas. Owner Peggy welcomed us all into Wine Styles on a busy night and many of us participated in their fun wine tasting. Richard even sent plates of Salad #1 (hand pulled mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, basil) and meatballs just for our tweetup group (and much to the chagrin of the other patrons who were snickering about twitter). Managed to work in a little business when I ran into some non-twitter friends while visiting Wine Styles who would like me to list their house.

After about an hour, wine bottles in hand, our group moved back over to Pizza Furiosa. Family style we all got to sample: Salad #2 (Iceberg, Buttermilk dressing, blue cheese crumbles, smoked bacon, tomato, egg), a special 3 mushroom pizza, pizza #10, and pizza #9. We sat together at a long table, laughed as @HeatherAinardi ‘s baby knocked over the bowling pins, and enjoyed the warm hospitality of Furiosa.

Best part of it all? I got to catch up with an amazing eclectic group of people from our community that  included many local business owners and even the Mayor of Flagstaff, @SaraPresler. All of these people have become friends and amazing business allies. They can also make me laugh till my cheeks hurt. It was all so good and I for one left completely sated by incredible food, fun and witty friends and new connections.