This impending Tweet-up is being organized by @kenburbary and others and should prove to be a fantastic place to talk about how innovators in the Great Lakes region are driving commerce and keeping conversations alive via new media and true innovation.

I’ve posted a bunch of my own videos this morning – from the rain in Braintree to the plane in the air over NY, PA and VA – and you can find them here.

Later today I’ll be doing more video of the Ford Automotive Museum in Deerborn, Michigan. Please join me on Qik to ask questions of the curator and help the crew learn more about the history of the automobile.

’til later!

• Day 1: Monday, March 9th – Detroit & Dearborn, MI
• Day 2: Tuesday, March 10th – Cleveland and Columbus, OH
• Day 3: Wednesday, March 11th – Cincinnati, OH
• Day 4: Thursday, March 12th – Louisville, KY
• Day 5: Friday, March 13th – Dallas and Austin, TX – ARRIVAL at SXSW!

Now that is just the way down… The way back begins Sunday, March 15th!

/colin

• Jim Storer: Jim is an experienced community builder and social media strategist. Over the last ten years he’s built and managed both small and very large communities and consulted with both start-ups and large enterprises on how to effectively build lasting value with social media solutions. Follow Jim’s blog at: http://jimstorer.com or on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/jimstorer 
• Jeff Cutler: Jeff Cutler is a content creation specialist and the owner of far too many URLs. Therefore, when he’s not writing for clients, he blogs for himself in about 14 locations. Follow Jeff’s main writing blog at: http://jeffcutler.com/jeff, his random inane blog at: http://bowlofcheese.com/ or chase him on twitter at: http://twitter.com/jeffcutler
• John Johansen: In John’s words, “I am a marketer. I like being clear about that because it’s something I’m passionate about. The application of Internet tools to marketing is the current focus of my career. My blog explores the evolution of marketing as discovery becomes more fragmented.”  Follow John’s blog at http://originalcomment.blogspot.com/ or follow John on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jljohansen
• Colin Browning: Colin is the Vice President at New Marketing Labs, a new media marketing agency educational event company.  Previously Colin was Director of Business Development of Mzinga where for the past 3 years he has worked with a wide variety of organizations and their agencies and helped them to architect and build successful social media strategies.  Follow my blog at: http://constructingsocial.com/ or follow me on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/crbrowning

/colin

Starting next Monday (March 9th), my friend, Jim Storer and I (and hopefully a few other passengers… stay tuned), will be starting in Dearborn, MI and driving to Austin, TX.

 Jim and I are continuing (and sharing) a conversation that started with Liz Strauss at last year’s SXSW. Over some great BBQ there we talked about how the east and west coasts of the US seem to be the focus for innovation and social media – yet, there is a ton of great work happening in through the middle of America.

We look forward to sharing our conversation with you as we drive through the Heartland of America and Innovation and talk to the innovators at Ford, Makers Mark, Gannett’s Moms Like Me and many others.

We do have to thank the folks that are making this trip possible for us.  First, our families for letting us travel away from home for so long! Second, Ford, for some of the best road tripping wheels in the country!  And our sponsors, Ripple6, Powered and New Marketing Labs!

Stay tuned – much more to follow!

-Colin

We can’t wait to share this adventure with you and show you all the great innovation that not only has driven this country, but continues today.

Stay tuned as we share our preparations and then the trip starts March 9th!

/colin