I like your description of the differences between a TweetUp and a traditional networking event. I'll always remember the first time I met someone in person, whom I had alreay been getting to know online. It's a different, almost surreal experience, difficult to explain, until you've shared it.

Tweet-ups represent the opportunity to deepen relationships in-person that you've initiated or maintain online. Traditional networking opportunities represent occasions where everyone is starting more or less, at the same place. Tweet-ups can be more positive, because you've already taken care of some of the initial get-to-know you interactions, and can feel freer to get down to business, or interact more authentically, from the get-go, with those you already know share common interests or goals.

Tweet-ups can also be a little bit more challenging for newcomers, or those with weaker online relationships, because many folks at Tweet-ups already know each other (at least online) and until you develop that familiarity, you may have to work a bit harder to achieve the same comfort level, and find your own niche.

The powerful thing about a Tweet-up is when you make a new contact, or meet someone you've been corresponding with, and can walk away with a deepened relationship, or the ability to continue the conversation online.

Tweet-ups are the bridge to all the interactions that happened online before, but just as importantly, to those interactions that can continue to happen afterwards…Traditional networking events, that are not so inter-connected with social networking, don't offer that potential as strongly.

Does it look better now?