Announcing the 19th Annual NetIP North America Conference!

NetIP North America Conference 2010: Seattle
unique.by.nature

Friday, August 20th – Sunday, August 22nd
Grand Hyatt, Downtown Seattle, WA

Be ready for a conference like you’ve never seen before! We’re taking our most anticipated event of the year to the “Metronatural” city of Seattle: America’s best kept secret. With expansive blue skies and warm summer weather, the Emerald City will be a perfect backdrop for our action-packed weekend.

The 2010 conference agenda will boast a new type of “Interactive Skill Building Workshop”, top Keynote Speakers, Panel Discussions, Fun & Social Optional Events, and lots of time to network at our Friday night mixer or Saturday night Gala. We’re proud to announce that the conference is Green, utilizing modern social media technologies, and will have a focus on food!We hope you’ll join us in Seattle on August 20th. Although last year’s conference hosted over 1000 attendees, this conference is exclusive and limited to the first 500 that sign up (NetIP Members Only).

For updates, stay tuned to www.netipconference.org and follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/netipconference (#netipcon).

Questions or Comments? Email Sarika Punjabi and Neha Sharma: conferenceinfo@netip.org

Chapter Spotlight: NetIP Dallas Dinner Circle

by Palvi Waghela, Cultural Awareness Pillar Chair, Network of Indian Professionals Dallas

What could be better then trying out a new restaurant while catching up with friends and making some new ones before the night is through?  A recent NetIP Dallas dinner circle event provided all of the above and then some!  This month NetIP Dallas decided to explore the exotic tastes of East Africa by sampling delicious Ethiopian cuisine at the Queen of Sheeba restaurant in Addison, Texas on February 23, 2010.   The event had a capacity turnout of NetIP members as well as non-members (many attending a NetIP event for the first time).

The evening began with a networking segment giving everyone a chance to meet and get to know each other before they took their places at the table.  About half an hour into the evening dinner was served and consisted of a range of items that reflected the heart of Ethopian cuisine.

One on the appetizers named  ”Sambusas” were basically samosas, and consisted of spiced lentils in a crispy pastry wrapper.  This was served with Sheba’s Salad made with tomato, onion, and jalapeno lightly spiced and dressed.  Next came a spicy crepe like bread called Injera.  For all you spicy food lovers this was a great pick! Our vegetarian members raved about these two starters.

During the course of appetizers and dinner, an icebreaker game was played as well.  The icebreaker consisted of telling two truths about yourself and one lie, the group then made their guesses as to which fact was the lie.   This was a fun way to get to know interesting facts about each attendee, for instance dinner guests learned who was a triplet and which guy cuts his own hair.  It was a great way for people to make connections and learn the most random things from the attendees unique backgrounds.

The arrival of dinner brought with it an aroma of spices that made your mouth water.  For the vegetarians there were a couple of dishes: Lentils, Cabbage, and Chickpeas gravy, which was served with their delicious bread Injera.  For our meat lovers there were two wonderful dishes: Spicy Beef and Shredded Chicken, which were also served with Injera. A surprise for most members in attendance was that food was eaten by hand using the Injera in a way similar to naan.

The room’s pitch went from loud and boisterous to complete silence.  This only meant one thing, the food was DELICIOUS and everyone was too busy stuffing his or her mouths to talk.  After eating this wonderful meal no one had room for dessert!  The night came to an end after two hours of networking, eating, laughing and just having a wonderful time with old friends and new.

This was a great value to members since they were able to sample the best and most interesting food Ethiopia has to offer for the mere price of $20 which included tax, tip and a non-alcoholic beverage!  Dinner Circle at Queen of Sheeba was a huge success according to our members and non-members.  Queen of Sheeba is strongly recommended if you have not been yet.  Happy Eating!

To attend the next NetIP Dallas dinner circle or for more information about upcoming events please visit www.NetIP-Dallas.org or www.Facebook.com/NetIPDallas.

www.NetIP.org

Edited by Latha Nehru, VP of External Affairs, NetIP NA

Prime Time with NetIP – A look behind the scenes of our most successful visibility campaign

by Pooja Dhawan, Brand Strategy Chair for NetIP North America

The Network of Indian Professionals North America launched its radio show in 2009 under the leadership of then VP External Affairs, Sundip Arora (2010 President, NetIP NA).  It was marketed as a series of teleconferences and webinars to increase the value of NetIP’s paid membership.  The idea behind the series, originally called “Chit-Chaat, all spices considered”, was to have guest speakers that were experts or prominent figures in the South Asian Community.  Arora’s team member, Brand Strategist, Pooja Dhawan, stepped in to refine the concept and its impact.  The series was re-named Prime Time with NetIP and the name struck a cord.

The first guest was relationship expert Jasbina Ahluwalia of Intersections matchmaking. Callers dialled in to learn effective ways to balance Professional, Social and Personal Demands with questions and answers with Ms. Ahluwalia. The teleconference received a positive response and along with requests for more teleconferences, the idea for a real radio show took root. In Q2 of 2009, HumDesi Radio, a division of World Band media (WBM) contacted NetIP for a possible alliance. Through strategic planning and foresight, NetIP and WBM began Q2 with a partnership (Click here for our press release).

The show debuted with Super Model Saira Mohan (the podcast can be heard here ) and we were off to a running start.  During this regular show, leading business, financial, arts and media professionals discuss issues such as surviving the financial turmoil by leveraging South Asian roots, the political voice of South Asian, the face of the 21st century Indian American professional, struggling for the American dream, immigration, economics. and much more.  As of the publication of this article, the show gets over 6000 listeners on the internet alone.  Every show brings NetIP’s social networks to life with questions, comments, status updates and more. There is a huge marketing component to the show. NetIP has over 21,000 Facebook users and more than 1200 Twitter followers.  We market the show aggressively on all our social platforms.

A wide range of South Asians honor us with their presence on the radio.  Some of our previous guests have been Saira Mohan, economist Ravi Batra, NYT bestselling author Ramit Sethi, Maulik Pancholy, Comedian Vidhur Kapur, eBay’s founder of worldofgood.com Robert Chatwani, GM of eBay’s world of good Seema Shah.  We spoke to Simran Sethi on Feb 17th, lauded as one of the top ten eco heros of the planet, an environmental specialist and Green Movement spokesperson on Oprah.com (Click here for our press release).

This March we have two great Primetime shows for you!  We are talking to Naresh Vissa from CNN Radio on March 17th 7pm EST (click here for related Facebook event) and Fox Business News Reporter Shibani Joshi on March 31st 7pm EST (click here for related Facebook event). Join in the conversation, listen in live at www.HumDesiRadio.com.

Our media partner HumDesi radio is always coming up with innovative ways to increase their listenership with our help. They offer free HD radios in their broadcast cities for your car and much more. Their newest business opportunity is a strategy to launch in more cities. We are excited as this means our show Prime Time will get an even greater visibility. Click below for details

Hum Desi Radio is a division of World Band Media, North America’s first Ethnic Digital Radio Network.

Listen live on HD Radio on
New York – 98.7 FM (HD2)
Washington DC – 103.5 FM (HD2)
Chicago – 101.1 FM (HD2)
Los Angeles – 105.9 FM (HD2)
Or anywhere in the world via the internet, humdesiradio.com
Please join us for a live broadcast, call toll free 1-877-DESI-321 Ext 370 to ask questions during the show.

Email us at primetime@netip.org, Tweet us on www.twitter.com/netipna

www.NetIP.org

Edited by Latha Nehru, VP of External Affairs, NetIP NA

NetIP Houston hosts 1st Annual For the Love of Food

by Sejal Bhrambatt, National Liaison, Network of Indian Professionals Houston

NetIP Houston hosted and participated in its first annual For the Love of Food cook-off on Sunday February 21, 2010. After being approached by member Shephali Patel about this event to get the community involved in learning about healthy cooking and raising money for local charities, NetIP Houston eagerly got involved. Whole Foods Market and Madras Pavilion (MP) gladly donated their facilities and chefs to teach two cooking classes. The Whole Foods class focused on western dishes such as an asparagus pesto lasagna whereas Chef Sunil with Madras Pavilion focused on the Indian side of things like chhole, chicken and saag paneer.

The cook-off was open to those who participated in the cooking classes and also those who just wished to get involved and showcase their cooking skills. Madras Pavilion owner Mahesh Shah was such a great host and allowed us to have the cook-off at the restaurant. The weather was gorgeous and Jay also with MP helped us every step of the way. Pranav, NetIP Houston VP, set up his turntables and got the crowd going with the Bollywood tunes. MP also graciously served delicious appetizers and beverages to all of us. Our eight contestants had one hour to whip up a dish using paneer as its main ingredient. The dishes ranged from personal creations to fusion entries. There was friendly banter back and forth but definitely with a competitive edge! Our own president, Farida, was one of the contestants and represented NetIP Houston fabulously.

At then end of the hour, the contestants presented their dishes to the two judges. Mr. Shah with MP and Rebecca with the Houston Food Bank judged all the dishes on taste and presentation and Tyna with NetIP Houston presented prizes to the first, second and third place winners. The prizes were generously donated by local businesses. Upon presentation of the prizes, everyone had an opportunity to sample the tasty dishes.

All the money raised through the cooking classes and the cook-off went to charity. Over $600 was raised and the money was split between the Houston Food Bank and a charity reputably linked the Haiti Earthquake relief efforts. We had a great turn-out and are looking forward to next year’s event!

NetIP Dallas World Record Breaking Community Service Event

by Vishal Bagchi, Community Service Pillar Chair, Network of Indian Professionals Dallas

Who knew that by throwing a pie (or three) at others could help The Dallas Animal Advocates (DAA) raise money and break a World Record?!?   Well the NetIP Dallas Community Service Pillar and their members helped make this possible on Thursday, January 7, 2010 at their first community service event of the decade.  This was a once in a lifetime opportunity that had been offered to DAA to assist them in raising much needed funds to support their primary programs (fences for tethered dogs in the City of Dallas and heartworm funds for HW+ dogs at Dallas Animal Services).   A minimum of 300 volunteers were needed to handle the actual pie throwing for a Dalton-based Shaw Industries, the world’s largest carpet manufacture. For each 100 volunteers, Dallas Animal Advocates earned $2,500.

For more information about this GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Largest Pie Fight achievement or to view pie fight video, visit www.shawfloors.com/anso/piefight.

NetIP Dallas has another record setting Saturday of Service planned for April where they will participate in multiple community service events in one day.  For more information please visit www.NetIP-Dallas.org or www.Facebook.com/NetIPDallas.

Edited by Latha Nehru, VP of External Affairs, NetIP NA, www.NetIP.org

Celebrate Holi with the NetIP Family and Support an Important Cause

On behalf of NetIP’s North America Board and Chapter Officers, here’s wishing our readers and the NetIP Community a happy and colorful Holi. Cultural Awareness, along with Professional Development, Community Service and Political Awareness, is a core pillar of the Organization and our chapters are committed to providing a unique platform to promote South Asian Culture across US and Canada. It is in this spirit that many of our chapters are hosting fun and unique Holi events in the coming weeks that also have a strong community support undertone (many of the events are to support Grameen Foundation’s effort in Haiti) If, like me, you spent the day inside an office wishing that you part of the festivities, you’ll love what’s on offer. Check out just some of the exciting activities planned in various cities -

“HOLI COW” by NetIP LA-OC — A Beach Party Organized for the Haiti Relief Efforts

A fun Holi event to benefit Haiti

A spectacular afternoon at the Will Rogers State Beach, under the warm March sun, as NetIP LA-OC & AIF celebrate the “Ultimate Holi Beach Party of the Year” to benefit the AIF Haiti Relief Fund. You’ve all been wanting to help out with the Haiti relief efforts and this is your chance to do so in style and with tons of fun. Come as we celebrate our culture and heritage through vibrant colors, water, sand and games. Bring your family and friends to this joyous occasion and experience our hospitality through these festivities!!

Click here for NetIP LA-OC’s Holi Facebook event

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“HOLI HUNGAMA” by NetIP New York — An Evening of Fun, Fashion & Flair

Holi Hungama - An evening of fun, fashion and flair

A fashion show courtesy of BIBI Magazine, music by DJ Sammy J, performances by NYC Bhangra a lot more! Don’t miss this exciting evening by NetIP NY!

A percentage of the proceeds will go to support the Grameen Foundation.

Click here for NetIP NY’s Holi Facebook event

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The Sixth Annual Holi Hungama by NetSAP DC

NetSAP DC's Holi Hungama

Join NetSAP DC to celebrate Holi in the Park! Everyone is welcome to attend and this event is free to members and non-members.  Bring your own gulal (holi color) and picnic baskets and play holi with some new NetSAP DC friends! Gulal can be purchased at most South Asian stores in the metro area.

Given the recent devastation in Haiti, NetSAP DC will be collecting monetary donations for the Grameen Foundation’s Haiti Fund.  We will also be collecting nonperishables and toiletries for the Arlington Food Bank.

Click here for NetSAP DC’s Holi Facebook event

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“Holi Hai” by NetIP Dallas — Bid Goodbye to Winter and Embrace the Spring with Holi Festivities

Come join NetIP Dallas as we wave goodbye to WINTER and embrace the SPRING!! There’s no better way to kickoff this spring season with friends and family than smothering them with gulal (holi color). Just think of how much fun a snowball fight is.. and now imagine doing the same thing with colored powder! A limited amount of colors will be provided by NetIP Dallas, but it is recommended that you purchase your own at a local South Asian store (darker colors are more fun) =)