Since 2001, Group Jazz and Howard Rheingold Associates have been putting on an annual online conference about online social networks. Online Social Networks 2004 is coming up October 13-27. It will feature:

Keynotes by:
- Howard Rheingold, author of Smart Mobs
- Lisa Kimball, fouder of Group Jazz
- Joi Ito, CEO of Neoteny, a VC firm that has invested heavily in social software companies, including Technorati and Six Apart
- Brian Reich, editor of Campaign Web Review, a blog examining the use of the Internet by candidates, campaigns, activists and the media during the current election cycle

Author discussions with:
- Howard Rheingold, Smart Mobs
- Lisa Kimball and Amy Ladd, contributors to Knowledge Networks: Innovation through Communities of Practice
- Christian Crumlish, The Power of Many
- David Teten and I have just confirmed we will be leading a discussion around The Virtual Handshake: Opening Doors and Closing Deals Using Online Social Networks

Program sessions in three focus areas:
- Organizational OSNs
- Personal OSNs
- Political OSNs

I’ll also be presenting and leading a discussion in the Personal OSNs focus area on “Opening Doors and Closing Deals: Success Stories and Best Practices in Online Social Networks”.

Event registration is $125, and group discounts are available.