Two years. If you had told me two years ago that I’d be writing this post and going to tell you what I’ll be telling you in a few short paragraphs I probably would have told you you were nuts. The events that led up to me sitting in this chair typing this, working for the company that I work for during the day, and for many of the relationships now important in my life all point back to one simple decision, made over dinner at a Dinosaur BBQ in Syracuse, NY summer of 2010.
Kelly Lux and I decided to start #cmgrchat as a way to create a community of community managers and pool together all of the resources out there for us all to learn from collectively. At the time we just wanted to learn what we didn’t know, but over time it has grown into something much more than we expected. Our goal now is to not only to get to know the movers and shakers in the community world and for them to get to know each other, but to push the industry forward as community management grows and get us all to think on a high level through not only social, but what community means. And of course have a lot of fun while doing it 🙂
By chatting with some of the smartest people out there each week, and joining forces with organizations like Social Fresh, The Community Roundtable, Google, WOMMA, Klout, and the CDC just to name a few over the past two years, I’d say that we have all made quite the home for ourselves and the 100-150 people that come to the chat on the internet.
Where will #cmgrchat and TheCommunityManager.com go in the next year — well, there are always tricks up our sleeves. However, I can tell you that as we take the next step into the next year of it all, we’re starting it off with a bang. We are off from #cmgrchat today, but that’s because — Drumroll please…
On Wednesday, September 12th at 2pm Eastern, we will have a very special guest. As there might just be no bigger & tighter knit community online and off than those interested in science, technology and the exploration of space – we’ll be bringing you guests from the social team at NASA! The Topic? “Building Community at NASA.”
We’ll have more information over the next few days, but in the meantime – share your #cmgrchat stories below. What were your favorite moments? What have you learned and who have you met (both online or IRL)? And most importantly – what do you want to know from NASA next week? For example, @MarsCuriosity has over 1.1 MILLION followers on Twitter and is currently roaming around Mars. I’m sure you’ll have a few questions about that…
And thank you all for your participation, engagement, encouragement, and friendship over the past two years. NONE of this is possible, or fun, without you!
Congrats you two! Always proud to watch this grow, I remember the first #cmgrchat like it was yesterday 🙂
Sweet deal
Jmodio Thanks Joe :)Â
nickcicero Thanks Nick!  Same here actually… Â
This is awesome- congrats!
This is awesome. I recently found #cmgrchat and have participated in a few chats already. It’s been a great way for me to learn more about the space and meet others! Thank you and congrats on 2 years.
courtkett Thanks!! Glad that you’re finding it valuable.  Always love to hear from members :)Â
ottogrl Thanks!! :)Â
Congrats and thanks for being such awesome ringleaders! Â I think I’ve now been around for about a year, and right from the first time I felt so welcomed. Â You guys know the essence of community! Â I’d want to ask the NASA social team whether they were specifically hired to do social media and community, or if they were already internal staff who were moved into those roles.
Congrats to both of you! I love #cmgrchat- and always walk away from a chat learning at least a couple of new things. My only grip is I wish I could participate even more. Can’t wait to see what you and Kelly have planned for the next two years. :)Â
rosemaryoneill Thanks Rosemary!!!  You’re such a great part of the chat each week 🙂  And we’ll jot down your questions.  Can’t wait!Â
Really looking forward to tomorrow guys! Congrats to JPedde and crew!
I am SILLY excited for this.