The two tech events that should be on everyone's calendar this week will offer up a double-dose of networking opportunities and food for thought.

First, tomorrow night is the annual TechNite, the annual showcase hosted by the Greater Baltimore Tech Council, featuring some tech exhibitions and major networking opportunities. Also, there's a bit of a milestone here: this year's TechNite's top two major sponsors, for the first time, are technology companies: Advertising.com and Millennial Media.

This is significant, in my view. In the past, the top sponsors have usually been deep-pocket service providers, such as law and accounting firms. It's gotta be a feel-good moment for those in the tech community to see two of the biggest names in local tech take the top sponsor spot. Tickets are here -- can you get your company to pay for it? :-)

The second big event is Friday, at the University of Maryland College Park: It's the UMD Technology Startup Boot Camp, starting at 10 a.m. I've been to this in past year's and it's a cool day of programming and networking, ripe for people interested in partnering with University talent or getting access to some professional business plan development.

Here's the full agenda.

Unfortunately, you won't see me at either TechNite or the boot camp, because I've got some family commitments. But I'll be following the tweet streams closely.