Behind the Hustle: Jim Spellos (@jspellos)

James Spellos is the President of Meeting U., a company specializing in helping people become more productive and comfortable with technology.

Jim is certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS).  He delivers over 150 seminars annually on how to use technology more efficiently, including social media.  Jim is a faculty member at New York University, teaching in the School of Professional and Continuing Studies since 1990.

With hospitality industry colleague Corbin Ball, Jim released in 2012 the TechSpec app, helping meeting planners to assess the technology capabilities of a hotel during a site inspection.

Through MeetingU., Jim publishes a technology e-letter named Techniques.  This free newsletter shares technology applications and services that apply for professional and personal use.  He also shares cool technology tools through social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Scoop It.

Outside of the meetings industry, Jim is an accomplished musician and songwriter, playing guitar, keyboards and singing for the New York City rock band Contraband. They released their first CD, “Welcome to the Neighborhood” in late 2008, with all proceeds going to charity.

The world knows me as: Jim

I have also been known to respond to the name: Way too many to list (but on air as a DJ in the late ’70s, my radio name was Justin Case)

My professional superpower is: I translate Geek to English

 The #1 thing people can hire me to do is: Simplify tech stuff so they can use it right away

 I’m most passionate about: Another long list, but let’s go with these: My wife, my music, the New York Mets & Rangers, and on…and on…

 The technology that I wouldn’t want to live without is: The internet (I think you have to be over 40 to really appreciate what life was like without it)

 The app I use most obsessively is: Zite…hands down

 The most innovative use of event tech I’ve ever seen is: Can’t say any one tech has wow’ed me, but for a great overall approach, the folks at Experient held a conference last year at which I was speaking that to me was the gold medal standard of integrating multiple technologies seamlessly into their event & event objectives.

My go-to guilty pleasure food is: Ice cream…or is it pizza? Nah, probably ice cream

The thing that always gets me to laugh without fail is: Monty Python’s Flying Circus (Groucho Marx and the Three Stooges are close behind).

One thing that would really surprise people to learn about me is: I’m really shy.

Connect with Jim:

http://www.meeting-u.com

jspellos@meeting-u.com