Inside O-Town: RedCarpetMonday
By Syntia ZeniFriday, Aug. 27, 2010
A Sophisticated Evening at Aston Martin
One quiet Monday evening, just beyond the expanse of the magnificent Mall at Millenial, Aston Martin of Orlando was a hive of activity. With an exclusive guest list and an impressive line of high-end luxury vehicles parked outside, the casual passerby could only wonder what such a glamorous gathering entailed. Fortunately for me, I had been cordially invited.Inside the prestigious walls of Aston Martin, the fine drinks, excellent hors d'oeuvres and the flashing bulbs of photographers' cameras detailed this gathering of Central Florida's business elite. With a backdrop of sleek black Aston Martins, casino gaming, and lovely displays of clothing and jewelry, this RedCarpetMonday event lived up to its claim of being a sophisticated business network. But how do they avoid hours of well-dressed individuals awkwardly shuffling about a room mingling? Because long before this night, the members of RedCarpetMonday have been contacting and connecting with one another through RCM Online, an intricate social/business network.
RedCarpetMonday: An innovative hybrid of Facebook and Wall Street
On this innovative hybrid of Facebook and Wall Street, members have the opportunity to create their very own business profiles, which can be searched and viewed by other professionals on the database. A few of the functions on this creative system are scheduling meetings, posting updates and bulletins, and sending out invitations. RCM online has spread across the globe, featuring members from all over the world, many who are clamoring for events such as this one to attend in their own cities. For the moment, this is a pleasure reserved solely for the successful of Central Florida.I had the opportunity to interview Ryan Totka himself, one of the co-founders of RedCarpetMonday (as well as TornadoPromotions.com, AthletePromotions.com and EliteJets.com). Totka graduated from the University of Central Florida in 1999 with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in marketing. Sharply dressed and exuding confidence, Ryan is powerful and driven -- and clearly very passionate about RCM.
The Man Behind RedCarpetMonday
My interview with Ryan Totka began by asking him for a description of RedCarpetMonday. RCM holds a high-class soiree every 2 to 3 months. The location is always up-to-par with its members' expectations, even at its first meeting two and a half years ago at the Monte Cristo Cigar Lounge at the Amway Arena.Every event is lavishly catered to by 10 to 12 sponsors, who offer free samples or special deals for the RCM members. This night had yummy and adorable samples of tiny little cupcakes from Sweet! By Good Golly Miss Holly as well as some more serious, yet equally delicious, samples from My City Eats, Vines Grille & Wine Bar and BJ's Brewhouse.
Totka told me of an impressive list of celebrities who have made appearances at RCM events. This night promised Nick Anderson, all-time leading scorer for the Magic, as well as Jeff Faine, center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the past RCM has been graced with the presence of Mayor Buddy Dyer himself, Joey Fatone, and Diana Pappas from "The Bachelorette," just to name a few.
Totka began this venture by simply bringing together his friends and acquaintances that were prominent in the Central Florida business community. From there, RCM spread by word of mouth -- as most good things to do -- and has transformed into one of the most desirable invites in the city. But Ryan isn't done just yet -- far from it. He wants to see RCM events in other major markets, such as Los Angeles and New York City, who still don't have anything like it there. And knowing Ryan, it's probably going to happen soon.
Think you deserve to be on the guest list? Check out www.redcarpetmonday.com for more information.
