HOT Party Remembers Gary Smith...and the Denali Party

Every year at DAC, Heart of Technology (HOT) organizes a charity event. This year, the cause is the Gary Smith Memorial Scholarship Endowment at San Jose State University (SJSU). If you have been in the industry for a long time, then you probably knew Gary personally since he was in the industry longer than most of us. If you are younger and want to know a bit more about him, then you can read my post In Memoriam Gary Smith from 2015,about his memorial service (appropriately held in one of the windowless ballrooms of the Doubletree Hotel like so many EDA events, going back to when it was still the Red Lion).

The HOT Benefit Party at DAC will be held on Monday, June 19 from 7-11pm at the Austin Speakeasy, which is 412 Congress Avenue D. If you went to last year's HOT party, it is the same location.

To find out more about the Gary Smith Memorial Scholarship Endowment, take a look at the HOT website. But the condensed version is that it will award one undergraduate student annually participating in the SJSU Educational Opportunity Program's Guardian Scholars Program. Gary didn't go to SJSU, he went to the US Naval Academy at Annapolis. However, Jim Hogan, the founder and driving force behind HOT, did go to SJSU. If history is any guide, he will be on stage at some point during the evening to sing or play the guitar.

The Speakeasy has been voted "Austin's Best Place to Party" so come along and help make it true that night. According to HOT, "We'll be pouring the giggle water and serving the eats, Al Capone style." I think Al Capone's trip from Chicago to Austin must be one of those anecdotes I missed, but how can you go wrong with prohibition-era cocktails in whatever city. Music will be provided by Vista Roads Band and special guests the JD Experience.

HOT would like you to register so that they have some idea of how many people will come. It is free to register but please give at the door. If you give $30 or more at the door, you get access to the VIP area with specialty cocktails and food.

The Denali Party

While on the subject of parties, this year's Denali Party by Cadence will be the following evening, Tuesday, June 20 at 8pm. It will be at Palm Door on Sixth, which is 508 E 6th Street (not the same venue as last year). You know the drill by now, I'm sure. You must register. Then at DAC, before Tuesday noon, you must come and pick up your wristband. As I do every year, I emphasize that you must pick it up or it really will be given to someone else, you will not get in without a wristband, and we will not have your wristband at the door. No prizes for guessing who is providing the music.

So before you forget, click the button to register for the 2017 Denali Party.