MoMoVan November had barely begun when a mini-disaster struck: We ran out of pizza! True, we had switched suppliers, from Panago (commercial pizza) to Flying Wedge (gourmet), and we had cut back on the size of the order. But we couldn't predict the nearly 30% jump in attendance – from around 70 to over 90 wireless entrepreneurs, innovators and others. If you didn't get as much pizza as you wanted (or didn't get any at all), we apologize and we promise to increase the order for the next MoMoVan!

We started the evening with four elevator pitches:

Andrei Iancu from Softimage Software tried to convince us that smart phones can be used to print documents. Not everybody in the crowd seemed to be convinced that is such a good idea. But when Guttenberg invented the printing press, people then weren't sure it was a good idea either.

Jason Strashek from Cardant Software told us that in the future we'll be able to get our Starbucks by ordering and paying ahead of time using our mobile phones. He had pretty much all the answers for all the questions from the audience. His pitch was sharper than at one of the Democamps a few weeks back... so he must have gotten some good advice.

Jeff LaPorte from EQO Communications gave us an interesting update of what EQO is doing. He had some intriguing things to say about wireless social networking.

Joe Solomon from RaytTheNet.com had a pitch about social equity and the need to rate the content on websites and create social change. Not quite a wireless pitch but we're always open to interesting, sometimes unrelated ideas.

We experimented with podcasting for the first time: Bruce Sharpe, former President of Xmetal, now President and CEO of Singular Software, tested his new podcasting tool (we can't tell you the name, it is still a secret). He filmed the entire event. As soon as we hear from him, we'll let you know where you can see the podcast. Michael Bidu, our Executive Director told the audience about the podcasting and asked anyone who had a problem with filming to let us know.

We talked about disruptive technologies:

Our excellent panel discussed what 'disruptive technology' means and what constitutes one. In the end, though we had started talking about disruptive technologies, we concluded that a much safer way to go is with sustainable innovation.

A big thank you goes to our very capable panel:

Chris Langdon, from Telus (also a WINBC director); Greg Hartwig, from AppLocation (who came all the way from Victoria to be there); Brad Lowe, from Nokia Multimedia; Erik Lagerway, from Gaboogie Canada and Branko Zurkovich from Upside Wireless. Those last two panelists gave us insights from the disruptor's point of view.

Also in the audience were:

Colin Quon from EQO Communications (also a WINBC director); Roz McNulty from Pitch Page, Joe Tatham from the newly created Checker Wireless and Peter Mueller from RX Networks.

We tried to create more networking opportunities during the evening, and from the feedback, we succeeded in doing that.

To see pictures of the event taken by Roland Tanglao click here: November MoMoVan photos

Finally, we unveiled the logo for our Pacific Northwest Wireless Summit and the dates for WINBC's first ever summit in Vancouver on January 16-18, 2008. That site is now live... pay it a visit www.pnwsummit.com.

You can register as a speaker, exhibitor or sponsor, or you can apply for strategic investment from SPIF (Service Provider Investment Forum).

Some bad news and then some good news for you: the MoMoVan meeting scheduled for December 3 has had to be postponed. Fasken Martineau (our planned venue) is moving offices that day. To make up for that postponement, WINBC has decided to have a Christmas party – probably on December 10 – either at Steamworks, in Gastown, or at Enigma Vancouver, in Point Grey. We'll let you know in the date and venue in next few days.

Because of the Pacific Northwest Wireless Summit, we will hold the next MoMoVan on February 4, 2008.

This party is long overdue. I talked with several people who have been part of WINBC since the beginning, and they don’t recall there ever being a party. The bulk of our association is made up of small to medium size businesses who are too small to have a party like that. A Christmas party of two or three is not fun, but a party of 40 or more can be really fun.

To make sure there is a party, we need to hear from at least 40 of you by the end of this week (November 30th). The cost will be around $50 a person. Who wants to celebrate?!

Please send us an email at momovan@winbc.org today!

Because together we can do more.

• We hope to open a long-lasting conversation that is relevant to the wireless and Web 2.0 community in Vancouver, BC and the world.
• We want to increase opportunities for casual networking, for identifying quality local talent, accessing early stage companies, building strategic partnerships and developing more business and businesses.
• We want to continue promoting local innovation and collaboration in the wireless and Web 2.0 industry, from small start-ups, to large companies, to research labs.