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This month, we are proud to have Shashi Bellamkonda speaking at our event. Shashi (aka @shashib) is the Director of Social Media for Network Solutions, but his official title is "Social Media Swami". He is a real case study in Effective Personal Branding and he will be sharing his story with us on March 18. Shashi works at the heart of Web hosting company, Network Solutions, as their first-ever 'Social Media Swami' (Director –Social Media) . In this leadership role he has helped Network Solutions aggressively move into the online space to actively listen to and interact with its customers. This push paid off when Network Solutions won the 2008 SNCR Excellence in New Communications Award for Online Reputation Management and the 2009 a Gold Quill Award of Excellence in Social Media from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). Shashi has presented to several audiences on " 'Social Media Tools for Small Business', 'How to Sell Social Media to Your Boss' and “Online Reputation Management – Best Practices & Lessons Learned", at national and regional conferences like SXSW, NewComm Forum, Society of New media Communications and Research (SNCR.org). Shashi also writes a regular DC Social Media Marketing column in the Examiner. Shashi started his blog ( http://www.shashi.name ) to keep his thousands of on and offline friends and fans up to date on the coolest new sites and tech-toys to check out, and to answer their questions about social media and technology. A resident of Maryland, Shashi Bellamkonda speaks 7 languages and ardently works to spin his favorite hobbies into his profession. Shashi lives for technology, testing new innovations and helping people with small businesses to succeed. This is a joint event between SMCRVA and HYPE. An initiative ot the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, HYPE's mission is to enrich our region by connecting young professionals. It is also being generously sponsored by The Hodges Partnership and we thank them for their ongoing support of our organization. The event will be held at the Renaissance Conference Center on March 18 from 6pm to 8:30pm. Parking information will be added soon as this is a downtown location. The ticket gets you access to hear Shashi speak and enjoy some delicious appetizers. As with the last few events, there will also be a cash bar available. You do not want to miss this one so get those tickets early!!!