Monday, August 9, 2010

BlogHer 2010: Did that all really just happen?

I'm not completely sure where to even begin.

The past five days were a complete and utter blur of travels, New York City, trying to be in six different places at the same time, finding out there are indeed women behind all of these blogs, learning a little, chaos and confusion, learning a lot, wondering why I didn't just wear my flip flops the entire time, finding a way to condense 100 bags of swag into a suitcase and having the experience of a lifetime all at once.

In answer to the main question: yes, I had fun. It's New York City, so by definition you know that you're going to be amazed and thrilled just by being there.

I'd like to think that I tried out a little bit of everything that BlogHer had to offer, from attending informative sessions to making PR contacts to checking out both the public and private parties that happened all across the city - although the sight of me slipping off my heels to book it a few blocks so I wouldn't miss the car picking me up to go from one to the next probably gave a few New Yorkers a good laugh.

Whether I did everything "right" or not will never be answered, but for me, it worked. I think that the main lesson to be learned from attending this conference is that if you tailor the many possibilities at a blogging conference of this size to be the most beneficial for you, then you've done the best you can. It's all about making connections, so figure out the ones that matter the most to you and then dive right in.

Was there drama like what has been talked about in past years? I don't know, maybe. If so, I wasn't a part of it. Most of the women I met were wonderful and amazing and beyond friendly, fully willing to chat with me as if we had been buddies for years, whether they had heard of my blog before that moment or not (there are really only two that come to mind that I "knew" beforehand that turned out to be slightly... unimpressive. I'd consider two out of a zillion pretty good odds in favor of meeting great people).

I even managed to ramble incoherently for a few minutes while fawning over Amy and she didn't at all act like I was nearly as much of a gushing fan as I know that I was.

But being able to find out that talented bloggers like Kailani and Victoria and Heather are just as cool in person as they are online was such a big treat for me... and of course, of course, no blogging get-together would have been complete had I not gotten to spend a huge chunk of time finding out that I love my darling Nicole even more in person than I do through email.

For some reason she hasn't agreed to move from NY to WI yet, I'm really not sure why.

I have to say a huge thank you to Energizer for allowing me to be a Smart ChargHER, because their sponsorship obviously made a huge difference for my trip. I got quite a few laughs when people recognized the green polo shirt and made "Hey, you're one of those Energizer Bunnies..." comments, but that's okay. I couldn't have been happier to represent such a high quality, generous company (stay tuned for another post soon on how you can receive a little swag from them, even if you didn't attend BlogHer).

Would I do it all again? Definitely. There are some aspects I would do the same and some I would do differently, but it wouldn't change the overall great experience that I had. In fact, BlogHer 2011 is already planned for San Diego - who's with me?

27 comments:

casey aubut said...

Im 100% in for San Diego!! I would love to meet up with you next year!

L Howard said...

Sounds like you had a blast! It would be awesome to meet the women behind some of my fav blogs! If my blog is a million times better next year id love to be in San Diego!

Emily - faliLV said...

oh that sounds so awesome! I am so in for next year if it allows. Curious? - How far in advance did you have to sign up?

Nicole {at} The Wannabe WAHM said...

I miss you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nicole!

natalee said...

Im sooo glad you had fun!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great time. San Diego is way to far for me, and I should have attended this year but funds didn't allow it. Someday I hope to attend:)

Liz Mays said...

What the heck? We didn't even meet up. What is wrong with us? We should have exchanged cell numbers. That's the only way. San Diego is a definite, you hear me?

Gee said...

blog hopping...

Jenna said...

So glad you had a good time! Sounds like an amazing experience. :)

Organic Motherhood with Cool Whip said...

So awesome!! I'm so happy you got to go to BlogHer. I wish I could have, but it is so fun hearing about it from everyone who went. Thanks for giving us your perspective!! I hope to meet you someday at another BlogHer, either next year or the year after that!

♥Yaya's Mommy ♥ said...

NO WAY IT IS IN SD? I live in SD. WHOOO HOOO. Maybe I will see you.
Keep in touch. :)
Best wishes,
Cindi

Sharon Cohen said...

Yours is the first report I've read about BlogHer and I'm impressed. I am new to the blogging scene so I didn't even know about this before it was well underway. Thanks for the positive information. That will definitely improve my perspective!

I'm popping in from "To-the-TOP Tuesday Blog Hop!" I hope you can stop by and find something of value in my blog, too. I write to encourage, inspire and motivate. If I succeed, I hope you'll become my newest follower.

Leigh said...

Sounds like a great time was had by all!

Dropping in from TTT Tuesday to say hello and become a new GFC follower!

http://inside-my-head.com/index.php/blog-memes/2435/oh-the-memories-random-tuesday

MOMS BEST BETS said...

That's awesome Xenia!!! Nice recap
I hope to meet you in San Deigo:))
p.s. I sent you an email a while ago to tell you that I changed to my own domain:)

tpoole said...

I'm in for San Diego next year too. Would love to meet up with you next year, or before that, if another conference of some sort comes around......

MIG said...

It rocks that you had a blast! It was so wonderful to meet you! I wish we had more time to hang out. Maybe we will get the chance to meet again in the future. If I can get sponsorship for San Diego it will be a possibility. And this time I'd find you sooner. Promise! :)

BusyB said...

WOw that sounds great : )

Love your Blog found you on Tuesday blog stop! CHEERS!

I have a giveaway this week that ends : )

Amy said...

It sounds like everyone had a really great time! Isn't NYC just awesome?? I would love to get to go to Blogher one year. I'm afraid next year is just too far away though. Someday!


Following from FMBT! Loving it so far! Come by and follow me back?

Amy @ rendermemama.blogspot.com

LeeAnn said...

Count me in! I am definitely going to try and go next year. (Maybe more than a handful of people will know who I am by then. LOL) It sounds like you had a great time!

I'm glad you're back!

Heather @ Girl Gone Mom said...

So glad we finally got to meet in person - thank God you recognized me because I would have never picked you out having blonde hair!

Kicking myself for not getting a photo with you!

Alissabeth said...

Looks like so much fun!

Following from Tuesday Tag-Along!

WeeMasonMan's Mom said...

I didn't know you were from Wisconsin! Me too!

Okay, that's a fairly lame comment, huh? Glad you had a good time!!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like sooo much fun! I didn't even know what BlogHer was until everyone started talking about it! LOl. Newbie here! I would love to go to the next one!

Clueless_Mama said...

What a fun time it sounds like you had. I hope to be in SD next year, as that is not too far. We will definitely have to meet up!

Colleen (Shibley Smiles) said...

Sounds like you had fun. 2011 is on the other side of the country for me LOL.

Cari said...

Looked like a blast!

I didn't know you were in Wisconsin!! I haven't met too many before :0

ConnieFoggles said...

It was crazy busy, but so much fun! I'm already trying to get a sponsor for next year because I want to get in earlier and stay longer. The airfare will be expensive for me too. Sad we missed each other.