Manchester, the city I call home, has what Bart Simpson would call “A rep for being rude”. We don’t do things the conventional way here. Legendary record label that was never run for profit and leaked money all over the place but still produced amazing bands? Check. A culture of mutual support for artists across disciplines? Check. Going back in time, Manchester was at the heart of the industrial revolution and Suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst was born here. We were even at the forefront of the development of modern computers.

In recent times that spirit of bold adventure has been missing from the city. Last year’s Tony Wilson Experience event was supposed to encourage a new generation of creativity in the city but seemed more like a nostalgic round-up of past glories than a celebration of new creativity and enterprise. Then last month a proposal to introduce huge improvements to Manchester’s public transport system was rejected in a public referendum due to the limited congestion charging element that would be required to help fund all the new trams, trains and buses. It was seemed like Manchester had lost the balls to get out there and do things its own way.

Finally it seems like there’s a spirit of innovation returning to the city and Social Media is at the heart of it. When Social Media Cafe Manchester was conceived three months ago we didn’t know how it would develop. It was based on a desire to replicate London’s Tuttle Club in Manchester. There were lots of people interested in Social Media in the city but no way for them all to get together, share information and collaborate.

We decided straight away that we’d be doing one thing different from Tuttle. While similar events in London, Birmingham and elsewhere take place during the day, Social Media Cafe Manchester was going to be an evening thing. It works – we can combine sharing and learning with a relaxed atmosphere (aided by alcohol if you so choose) and people who can’t convince their bosses to let them take time out of work to come along can make it. That means in addition to people working directly in web tech and marketing we get journalists, programmers, DJs and all manner of other people coming along.

While Tuttle is mainly a social event, we wanted the Manchester version to provide a forum for discussion and learning as well as networking and meeting friends. Our first two monthly meetings saw us finding our feet. We had a panel debate about the future of blogging during the first month and a guest speaker talking about using Social Media in art in the second month.

David Bird leads one of the smc_mcr sessions

The main criticism of these meetings was a lack of interactivity for attendees, so for this month’s meeting we decided to adopt an Unconference format. We had six slots for speakers, running three at a time. The volunteer speakers talked about their chosen topics for around twenty minutes and then took questions. Topics ranged from a beginner’s guide to Social Media, through GPS and the future of mobile technology to using Social Media in a learning environment. There was truly something for everyone and the feedback has been great so it looks like the Unconference format will continue for the time being (with flexibility to include ‘main event’ big-name speakers from time-to-time).

It was clear from last night just how much innovation in Social Media is taking place here in Manchester. From university courses based on Google Groups and requiring essay submissions via Youtube videos to Myspace data mashups aimed at supporting the local music scene, we’re a busy bunch. We even have an Institute for Social Media that has spawned interesting projects like Twaffik.

While London has a wide range of events supporting Social Media innovators, Manchester had very little until Social Media Cafe Manchester began. We’ve started a monthly event that can help nurture a  local scene and we’ve done it in a uniquely Mancunian way. Now sub-groups are starting to form, beginning with a group interested in using Social Media with music. Given Manchester’s musical heritage it’s little surprise that we’re going down that route. Who knows what else will spring out of the event we affectionately call smc_mcr?

It seems 2009 is going to be a year that sees a huge explosion in Social Media innovation here and I can’t wait. Manchester finally has its balls back!

You can read more about Social Media Cafe Manchester at the Wiki.