I have a local Indy friend who recently called me and said that I had to be a part of this new conference. Amy P can be quite persuasive so I said OK without really understanding what was going on.

Amy introduced me to a fantastic person named Andy Murphy and I was set. This is gonna be BIG people. Across the Arts is a new writing conference to be held on Saturday, July 20, 2013 at the Carmel Palladium.

The website states, “A Gleeful literary celebration — Indiana’s finest filmmakers, best-selling NY Times authors, award-winning newspaper journalists, columnists, magazine writers and editors, publishers and noted musicians will join together in the “Writer’s Studio” in the magnificent Palladium Theater in Carmel, Indiana on July 20th. This accomplished cast of talent all LIVE in Indiana and are NATIONALLY recognized.”

The list of authors, media people, local celebrities and more is AMAZING. The hosts for the day will be Debby Knox, award-winning news anchor at WISH-TV, an affiliate of CBS; Tania Castroverde Moskalenko, President and CEO of the Center for the Performing Arts and Liz Brainard, First Lady of the City of Carmel.

Publishers, Filmmakers, book authors, personalities and a social media panel. I get the honor of chatting up how to best use social media with local online faves Amy Stark of Stark Reality Check and Elizabeth Musgrave of Gotta Go.

Get your event tickets HERE. More info on the Write Stuff Writers and Across the Arts 13 HERE. Make sure to connect to Write Stuff Writer Conferences on Facebook and use the hashtag #AcrossArts13 on Twitter.

Yes there are lots of different ships, costumes and vehicles. PLUS – you can ride a land speeder replicator (hover ship), play games and visit some of the worlds (Tattoine, Hoth, Corruscant and more) of Star Wars. The exhibit is not only fun, but educational for children too!

Check out the video with Aja May – social media guru for the museum.

Video interview with Aja

I have camped out for the opening of Episode 1 and loved the re releases of Star Wars in the late 90′s (I actually got a job working at a movie theatre just to watch the movies). As a 35 year old man, I still love to get a good Star Wars toy and read the books.

CLICK HERE to see more pics of the Star Wars Exhibit

The exhibit which shows you movie memorabilia and real science and technology runs now through September 2013. In the end, amazing time and when you pay the $10 admission price you get to see the rest of the museum as well! Now that is a good deal.

I was taken prisoner by the Empire. I escaped…

Proud sponsor & emcee of the 2013 Bands 4 Boobies charity rock show.

My good friend, Shawn June (writer of the DoItIndy theme song) called me up a few weeks ago and told me about a new charity show. Bands 4 Boobies. He asked if I might be interested in being involved and helping spread the word and have the crew help emcee. I was completely sold on the idea when he asked. My mother (Barb) is a breast cancer survivor and then a decade later had another cancer battle. Thank goodness she beat the odds both times and is still with us. I will do this for her.

Hanging out with my parents at an Indianapolis Colts game in 2012.

DoItIndy Music Editor MPCavalier’s blog

I chatted with Jason Oldham of Audio Hitmen (creator of show) and told him we were in. There will be TWO locations on Saturday, April 20, 2013 for Bands 4 Boobies. Kelly’s Pub on the west side of Indianapolis and Drifty’s Sports Pub on the south side of Indy. Jason will be emcee of Kelly’s Pub and the DoItIndy crew will be emcees of Drifty’s Pub! Fun starts at 7:30 p.m.

More info and band lineups online. Please like the Facebook page of Bands 4 Boobies and be informed. Thanks for all your help.

Audio Hitmen in the DoItIndy studio to film a promo for Bands 4 Boobies.

Learn about many different tricks and techniques for business from the Indianapolis Revenue North Business Growth Conference.

I was recently asked to speak at the new Revenue North Business Growth Conference happening Thursday, March 21st. My topic will be using social media for small and medium sized business. Just because we can all post to Facebook and Twitter, that doesn’t mean you are doing it right. Social media is a tactic that if utilized correctly, can build your audience better than you ever thought. Read more on my breakout session HERE.

Topics covered will include finance, video, public relations, writing, SEO, branding, work and life balance and more! Don’t miss out on this fantastic one day conference to help take your business to a new level.
CLICK HERE for Conference Details

Don’t miss out. Lots of amazing Indianapolis area professionals to network with and learn from. Yes, we can all post to our social media pages…but do it right, engage and analyze!

Proud media sponsor of the 2013 Brackets for Good.

When I was a child my father used to volunteer for the Madison County (Anderson, Indiana) American Red Cross chapter. I remember being 10 or 11 years old and helping him with a ducky derby race along the White River. My dad looked at me and said, “You always have to help out Son. No matter where you are or what you do, you have to help people out.” I never thought much of that until I was older. Now, I am proud to help give back to Indianapolis and the people who need help.

I remember seeing Brackets for Good last year, but it got by me. This year, I knew DoItIndy had to help out in the best way we could, promotions. Someday we will have funds to donate, but not yet. Our reach is far and wide and reaches many mediums so I contacted the #BFG13 guys. I was very glad to hear their enthusiasm as I told them we could help out and try to get the word ALL OVER INDY!

Brackets for Good website

So…if you can: $1 equals 1 point. Support your favorite out  of the Indianapolis group. A grand prize awaits the nonprofit that raises the most points!

CLICK HERE to view the DoItIndy blog that talks the bracket more

Thanks for all your help. DoItIndy is always committed to helping Indianapolis in any way we can, and this is just the right fit.

#BFG13

WordPress is cool. WordPress is easy. WordPress is mobile.

Ben and Steve will chat social media, the drink of the week and life on the 30 minute weekly webcast.

A few weeks ago a friend of mine, Steve Neville, of Intelligent Designs Media said we should chat social media more. We geek out. I completely agreed as I’m a social media junkie and can talk platforms and strategies all the time. Yes, this conversation was had while drinking a beer.

SO…a Google + Hangout was thought up. There are a lot of different podcasts about social media, but none focus on being a gentleman, having a gentleman’s beverage and social media. This week we chat #Vine – the new web six second video platform to use with Twitter.

I hope that you will join us to chat social media and just have some fun. The link to the Google + Hangout will be posted around 7:10-7:15 on Thursday evening via our Twitter handles. We will also take live questions and chat from Twitter – please use the hashtag #DrinkWBS to chime in and say hi!

Ben Risinger on Twitter: @Ben Risinger  |  Steve Neville on Twitter: @IntelMediaGroup

Both sides of the family got to watch the engagement LIVE at Fox 59 WXIN.

Wow. I am 35 years old and I am in love. On Tuesday, 2/5/13 I asked Slick LaRoo (a.k.a. Kelly Campbell) to marry me. Not just any proposal, a LIVE proposal on Fox 59 WXIN after our weekly DoItIndy Kid’s segment. I was confident of a yes, but I still had the inside jitters.

CLICK HERE to watch the engagement video on Fox59.com

I won’t forget the day that @IndyVal, DoItIndy reporter told me she had a Twitter friend (@SlickLaRoo) I needed to meet. I really didn’t think much of it at the time. AND…things didn’t work out exactly like a regular relationship either… Kelly became a friend in October 2011, reporter for DoItIndy after that and we finally fell in love in the summer of 2012. I’m excited, a little anxious, scared and I want to be an amazing person for the woman I will wed very soon.

Many adventures will come in the future, and I can’t wait to share them with the love of my life.

If you would like to chat the wedding with us, please use the Twitter hashtag #WedBK.

The Wedding Website – Campbell and Risinger love. 

Thanks to our buddy Priscilla for making this for us.

Shooting a video promo for The Weber Grille restaurant in downtown Indianapolis.

I love food. I love Devour Downtown.

That said. Devour Downtown Winterfest 2013 has started in Indianapolis. From Monday, January 21 to Sunday, February 3, 2013 you can eat at some of the BEST restaurants our great city has to offer.

DoItIndy has come on board to sponsor for their fourth festival! Over the last three years I have had the opportunity to meet some amazing chefs and local talent in the Indianapolis area. I definitely love to eat on the local side and find the hidden gems of Indianapolis. Make sure to follow DoItIndy food reporters: Dork with a Fork and EatUrban as you look for your favorite places to eat in downtown Indy.

Quesadilla from The Indianapolis Colts Grille.

So make a plan to hit up the places you want to go STRATEGICALLY people! I’ve been overwhelmed in year’s past by too much food goodness. If you tweet, show us what you eat! Use the official Devour Downtown Winterfest 2013 hashtag: #Devour13 to say hi! You can find Devour Downtown via social media channels Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (new in 2013).