Um, Do You Know What Business We're In?

So, I better write this post now because after tomorrow it might violate David Hornik's sacrosanct "What Happens at the Lobby Stays at the Lobby" rule. Some people-- cough, cough ValleyWag-- take that rule to mean the Lobby is about partying and the attendees don't want that to get out. In actuality, the Lobby is about business and the attendees don't want THAT to get out. "Who's shameless enough to go to the Lobby this year?" Hmm... off hand, I'd say people doing their jobs.

I'm increasingly annoyed with this post-bust cultural witch-hunt that people who are having a good time and connecting with other people in the industry somehow equals to fiddling while Silicon Valley burns. Have people forgotten what business in the Valley is? The whole reason that a proportionately higher number of companies start in the Valley than anywhere else? Because like-minded, risk-taking people are put together in one 50-mile stretch and companies result. Do you realize how many of the largest, most successful, most transformative high tech companies resulted from two people chatting at a cocktail party or running into each other somewhere in downtown Palo Alto? Putting 100 of them or so in one resort for three days with little to do except talk about where business is going is fun, yes because we are all nerds, but it's hardly a junket. It's classic Valley deal making made only more efficient and more concentrated. If the Lobby is some sort of embarrassing junket so is Allen & Co.'s Sun Valley. (They even have horseback rides!)

As an attendee last year, who is going back this year, I can't really say much more without breaking the rules. And really, the fact that ValleyWag thinks it's a junket proves that Hornik's rules are being adhered to. I almost hate to ruin the illusion! But I will say this: It is the only conference I have ever paid to attend, and I could have a very nice vacation at a fraction of the price.

I'm attending another event in November that will likely also get ripped apart in some quarters. It pulls together 50-or-so young entrepreneurs from around the world to spend a few days building relationships, talking about projects and getting to know one another. This event might appear to be more of a junket, but actually may be more pivotal for people's businesses because it's not focused around Silicon Valley. It brings together entrepreneurs who don't have the endemic benefits of the Valley's startup petri-dish and tries to recreate it.

Post the Cyprus debacle, the organizers are plenty worried about how it'll be perceived. One of them asked last week if I was concerned for myself, as a reporter, given the drubbing Jessica Vascellaro got in the blogosphere for, ahem, refusing to stop believing on Vimeo. Not a bit, I told him. For one thing, I have never in my life done a lip dub even though I'm good friends with Julia Allison. For another, I get drubbed in the blogosphere daily. If it upset me that much, I wouldn't be able to do my job or function generally. For another, I'm not going to hang out with friends who I also happen to cover. I am going because as a reporter, it's my job to seek out the most exciting new entrepreneurs in the world and be where they are. Period.

The same goes for investors, or entrepreneurs looking for mentors or co-founders.  Just like smart public companies invest in R&D to come out of a downturn on top, smart investors, entrepreneurs and reporters for that matter invest in relationships to come out of a downturn on top. So, SarahLacy.com readers, starting tomorrow you won't hear from me for the rest of the week. But you never know: The foundations of a new book may just emerge while I'm absent.