Here at Web 2.0 Expo we really value those who do what matters, especially if they are doing so without chasing the almighty dollar. Like Tim O’Reilly said a few years ago in a commencement address for the UC Berkeley School of Information and reiterated on his blog a few weeks ago,

…financial success is not the only goal or the only measure of success. It’s easy to get caught up in the heady buzz of making money. You should regard money as fuel for what you really want to do, not as a goal in and of itself. Money is like gas in the car — you need to pay attention or you’ll end up on the side of the road — but a well-lived life is not a tour of gas stations!

Whatever you do, think about what you really value.

Personally, I couldn’t agree more. Which is why as part of the Web 2.0 Expo event team I’m happy to announce the establishment of our San Francisco 2009 Non-Profit Pavilion. If you’re a non-profit organization that is using Web 2.0 technologies to support your cause, mission, or community goals, we invite you to apply for a spot in our Pavilion.

If you’re chosen as a participant you’ll get a booth in the Pavilion (located on the expo floor) with power/internet drops, on-site branding and inclusion in the events guide, completely free of charge.

Think of it as our way of saying thanks for being awesome!

Simply post a comment that answers:

How are you using Web 2.0 technologies to improve the lives of others?

At Web 2.0 Expo New York we were proud to showcase great organizations like ChangingthePresent, Amoration, Creative Commons, Donorschoose, Knowmore, Social Actions, USIBA and the University of Denver CIS Program.

Organizations must be a registered 501c3 to participate. Space is limited, so we’ll only be able to take a select few. The deadline to apply is February 20. An internal Web 2.0 Expo committee will select the booth recipients and announcements will be made the week of February 23.

Thanks for doing what you do, keep it up.

As a leading (and very large) conference and expo we understand the importance of doing our part to help make this world a better place. We are continuing our efforts to green-ify our event and curating thought-provoking sessions about the state of our environment.

We’re also big fans of organizations committed to social change and action.

At Web 2.0 Expo San Francisco this past April we established a Non-Profit Pavilion and teamed up with groups that spread the gift of philanthropy, knowledge, health, political transparency, entrepreneurship, social change, empowerment… and more.

We plan to bring the goodwill to the East Coast so at Web 2.0 Expo New York this September we’re happy to offer a select group of non-profits a booth in our Pavilion.

Just answer this question as a comment for your chance to get a booth on our Expo floor, on-site branding, and inclusion in our program guide addendum. We’ll even throw in Internet drops

What are some cool ways your non-profit has used Web 2.0 in the fulfillment of your mission? Share some case study stories.

We want to hear your stories!

And if you’ve got any questions – please post them here and I’ll get back to you.

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An internal Web 2.0 Expo committee will select the booth recipients and announcements will be made the first week of August.