The Circuit has created several peer groups that address technology or marketing issues in a vendor-free environment. These Special Interest Circles hold informal discussions on issues of current interest to them, supplemented by speakers on topics selected by the group.

Members of these groups are often from non-IT companies. Special categories of membership are available to people who want to join these groups. See the Membership Home Page section for more information and for pricing. For more information or to join a Circle please use our contact form.

Note: In order to preserve the pressure-free environment of the Circles, vendors are not permitted to join the Circles. However, members of The Circuit are often invited to make educational presentations to Circles in their areas of expertise.

IT Job Search Circle

The Circuit’s Career Center has been expanded to include an IT Job Search Circle! Every month, The Circuit will host and moderate a 90 minute event to assist IT professionals in their job search endeavors. Some of the activities will include:

• Structured networking with other IT professionals
• Idea sharing to assist each other in gaining access to organizations you would like to work for
• Tips and tricks from outside professionals on resume writing, interviewing, and more

Participation is exclusively for IT professionals seeking new career opportunities.

Moderator is Randy Davis, NexGen Consultants and IT Solution Center Director for The Circuit, (513) 679-0689

Marketing Circle

The Marketing Circle is about solving the challenges that today’s marketers face. Its focus is real-world applications of marketing strategies, methods and technologies that members can take away and go to work on right away. The members will select presentation topics that best address their current challenges. Topics may include Strategy and Branding, Online and Print Advertising, Search Engine Optimization, Blog Marketing, RSS and Podcasting, Event Marketing and Marketing ROI Measurement.

Who Should Join. Marketing managers and executives from small and medium size businesses who have decision-making authority over major marketing projects.

Moderator: Brian LeCount, 513.791.8670 x 1-101.

The CIO Circle

This Circle networks IT Leaders of local companies to discuss current technology and management issues, learn about new technologies and products, and help each other solve pressing problems. Recent topics have included Server Virtualization Strategies, IT Budgeting, and VOIP. The CIO Circle formally meets six times a year, and holds many informal gatherings. The CIO Circle is in its third year and has over 25 active members.

Who Should Join. IT Leaders from small and medium size businesses. You do not have to have the title CIO to attend, but we do ask that you are the IT leader of your organization.

Moderator: Matt Mountain, NexGen Consultants, 513.482.1127

IT Security Circle

The Security Circle is focused on helping our members use best practices and methodologies to provide the necessary foundation for a secure enterprise environment. The sessions provide a mix of prepared presentations on selected topics along with closed-door, confidential group discussions around the use of managerial, operational, and technical controls to create a secure environment.

Who Should Join. IT Management and those individuals with responsibility for information security.

Moderator: Geoff Pearson, KiZAN, 513.618.8943

Enterprise Architecture Circle

The Enterprise Architecture Circle provides a place for enterprise architects to meet and discuss problems and solutions to today’s hardest enterprise architectural challenges. The EA Circle is intended to be technology neutral, though at times speakers from various industry-leading organizations such as Microsoft, Sun and IBM may present on specific subject matters allowing members to view issues from different perspectives and interact with industry thought leaders.

We address subjects like: Information Worker and SOA; Enterprise architecture planning: SOX, Governance, and Agility; Security and SOA; Aligning IT with business units; The value of an enterprise architecture plan

Who Should Join. Architects, CTOs and CIOs.

Moderator: Greg Kling, Tahoe Partners, 513.259.1473

IT Operations Circle

The IT Operations Circle is focused on helping our members use best practices to become efficient managers of technology. We have open discussions about the critical issues that IT resources face everyday. High-level topics include balancing functionality with cost, selecting and managing vendors, evaluating up and coming technologies, and control versus empowerment.

Who Should Join. IT Management and Senior Network Administrators.

Moderator: Matt Scherocman, PCMS, 513.477.1377