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Mobile Monday Michigan Expanding To Grand Rapids

Mobile Monday Michigan Friday announced the mobile technology education and networking group's expansion in West Michigan with a new chapter, Mobile Monday Grand Rapids.

Mobile Monday Michigan is the state's branch of the Helsinki, Finland-based International Mobile Monday organization. MoMoMichigan is sponsored state-wide by the Mobile Technology Association of Michigan, the state's non-profit trade association for the mobile technology industry.

"Our chapters in Detroit and Ann Arbor have quickly grown to the point where we have almost 800 members between them, and we're getting many inquiries from people working in mobile technology in West Michigan about participation," said Mobile Monday Michigan co-founder Linda Daichendt. "Because of the heavy level of interest, we felt the time was right to start a new chapter in Grand Rapids.  The chapters will work together as part of MTAM's state-wide mobile technology networking initiative, but over time you will find that each chapter develops its own personality based on the needs and preferences of its members. In the future we hope to develop several state-wide mobile events that members and mobile enthusiasts from all areas of the state may attend to further facilitate the growth of the industry throughout Michigan."

The Grand Rapids chapter will be led by Doug Lang, one of the founders of Grand Rapids-based Red Pigeon. He will be joined by fellow Red Pigeon founder, Will Hartwell, Kyle Hilla of Apptopus Inc., Ben Rousch of Van Dam Iron Works, Adam Clarke of CQL Corp., Michael Sanford of CQL Corp., Greg Clausen at TakeAIM Mobile, and MTAM Board Member, Jonathan Engelsma of GVSU's Mobile Applications and Services Lab.

"West Michigan has a highly productive and passionate mobile community doing a lot of great work, so we're very excited to be bringing MoMo to our part of the state," Lang said. "We're very confident that there will be substantial participation in a Grand Rapids chapter, and a lot of benefit received from that participation."

The Grand Rapids chapter expects to begin holding meetings Monday, July 11, with the first meeting focusing on "4G, What Does it Mean to Me?" The meeting location and details will be announced soon. All Mobile Monday Michigan chapters are free to join, and the monthly meetings are free to attend as well. Those interested in joining may sign up now at http://Meetup.com/MoMoGR to insure they receive meeting details directly as soon as they become available.

Mobile Monday Michigan will continue its expansion throughout the state, with plans to add chapters in Lansing and Kalamazoo later this year and additional Michigan cities in 2012. The organization's goal is to bring together all of those in Michigan who are working in the mobile technology industry, interested in learning more about mobile and how it may benefit their business, and those who would like to see the industry grow to facilitate job creation in the state.

For more information about the organization, contact Mobile Monday Michigan at info@GoMobileMichigan.org .

MobileMonday (MoMo) is an open community of mobile industry visionaries, developers, influential individuals, and users fostering cooperation and cross-company business development through virtual and live networking events. The group's programs are designed to facilitate idea sharing, best practices development, trends identification, and mobile industry growth locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Those interested in learning more about Mobile Monday Michigan should check out  http://MobileMondayMichigan.org; information about the International organization can be found at http://MobileMonday.net.

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