October
4, 2006
Netparty...
And then we went to Netparty at Frederick's...
By Jackie
Beach
You never know what kind of deal
you’ll snatch up and bring home after a Netparty
party. These "meet markets" dangle all the goods from
exclusive venues with elegant hors d’oeurves and dangerous drink
specials to a rainbow of interesting young professionals. Here’s the lowdown: A friend sends you the current
Netparty info, you show up at the trendy destination in business casual,
and are welcomed in by an affable greeter who asks your name and
occupation and prepares a specialized, color-coded name tag just for
you. Think before responding to the occupation part of the introduction.
Your response plunks you into one of 7 categories, but don’t fret, you
can always choose "other".
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Labeled
"Entertainment", I wander through Frederick’s ($1000/yr
membership fee!) plush burgundy carpet, sleek black tables, and sexy
curved booths. As one can imagine, the attendees are as diverse as only
the residents of New York City can be. Many of these New Yorkers bore "Finance" and "Business" stickers.
Some men in these conservative fields feel it necessary to introduce
themselves as former models. Then there’s the down-to-earth man with a
beautiful Iranian name and intelligent eyes. I bump into a tall brute of
a man also labeled "Entertainment" who first says he’s an
actor in Korea, then decides he’s opening a gym in Manhattan.
Throughout the course of the night, I introduce myself to individuals in
the field of "Medicine" - a hyper, sweet anesthesiologist
dancing machine; a good-looking, second generation Chinese, New York-born and bred
plastic surgeon working at St. Vincent’s; as well as a warm, friendly
chap from a non-invasive cosmetic surgery office looking for a PR
person. |
It’s true; people do not show only to socialize and "hook up". Networking plays a strong
hand in these Hold ‘em tournaments. Perhaps many people show up with more socializing than
schmoozing on their minds, but isn’t that really what networking is about? The more people
you meet...it doesn’t matter if this person is in your field because it’s likely he or she
knows someone who is!
Netparty, touted by Cosmopolitan as one of the "Top New Ways to Meet People", demonstrates
the willingness of young Americans to sidle up to potential new friends and partners with
carefree ease alongside an underlying goal. Whether that goal be to take someone or his/her
business card home is debatable.
Well-organized but not orderly, and trendy but not sceney, Netparty achieves a perfect
environment for young professionals to mix and mingle, spit and swagger. As a wise 4-year
Netparty veteran told me, "you almost always find everything you’re looking for and then
some". |
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Links:
Netparty.com
FredericksNYC.com |
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