The GBTC is pleased to announce that Gary Vaynerchuk, social media sommelier and new author of Crush It! Why Now is the Time to Cash In On Your Passion will be the featured speaker at TechNite 2009.  TechNite is the Greater Baltimore Region’s premiere night out to celebrate the business and technology community. With nearly 1,000 attendees, from tech executives and entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 businesses, university and government officials, everyone will be out to support and celebrate the success of the region.

Gary Vaynerchuk has captured attention with his pioneering, multi-faceted approach to personal branding and business. After primarily utilizing traditional advertising techniques to build his family’s local retail wine business into a national industry leader, Gary rapidly leveraged social media tools such as Twitter and Facebook to promote Wine Library TV, his video blog about wine (which receives over 80,000 views per day). Gary has always had an early to market approach, launching Wine Library’s retail website in 1997 and Wine Library TV in February of 2006.

Gary’s success has led to a 7-figure book deal, several national TV appearances, and a flurry of speaking engagements around the world. Gary’s dual identity as both business guru and wine guy has made him the “Social Media Sommelier.”  His first business book, Crush It! Why Now is the Time to Cash in on your Passion, will be published in October of 2009.

“Energy and hustle were the first things that came to mind when we asked Gary to be the keynote at TechNite,” stated Steve Kozak, Executive Director.  He embodies an amazing energy, which truly mirrors the Baltimore region.  Gary not only had humble beginnings and learned his trade first hand – he shows you what it is like to be an entrepreneur and is passionate about seeing it happening for others.  And trust me, Gary’s message will touch everyone who attends TechNite.  He’ll certainly get you thinking and you’ll be more than energized.  We really can’t wait for TechNite and for everyone to hear Gary – he’s going to be great.”

In addition to hearing from Gary, this year’s TechNite will celebrate the region’s technology community and recognize some of the areas hottest entrepreneurs.