The Lobby in Hawaii

Hawaii is hosting one of the hottest events in the white-hot "Web 2.0" space: "The Lobby Conference," brainchild of August Capital's Kevin Hornik. The proverbial who's who of new media was invited to The Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island "to turn the traditional conference on its head." In the spirit of "unconferences," the group will shun presentations, panels, and PowerPoint.

For two and a half days, the individuals driving innovation and strategic development throughout the online media world will gather for an extended conversation. The Lobby will facilitate that dialog and nurture those relationships through a set of social gatherings and activities designed to bring down barriers and maximize productive discourse.

Officially, everything that happens at "The Lobby Conference" is off the record. But that hasn't stopped Valleywag from collecting breathless gossip items from the elite event. And at least a couple of participants have written about their experiences: Steve Rosenbaum and Kara Swisher (who even posted a video clip featuring Digg's Kevin Rose and Jay Adelson). WordPress investor Mike Hirshland would only say: "I’ve been advised that the Conference is strictly off the record so I am not supposed to write about it. If I told you I’d have to kill you."

I imagine events like this will be the closest Hawaii geeks will get to the movers and shakers at the top of the "Web 2.0" totem pole. A pity. I'm sure more than a few local entrepreneurs would've been happy to wash a few dishes for a chance to rub shoulders with these guys.