I started out writing every single thing that happened every minute of every day, but it got too overwhelming. So instead I’m just going to try to sum it up in more general terms.
BlogHer 2010 was the BEST BLOGHER I have ever attended. And this was my fifth year. I’m not disparaging previous conferences, there were definite highlights for me of each one, but this one, it was just the perfect combination of location (I LOVE NEW YORK!), hotel (okay, the elevators were a pain, but the hotel staff was wonderful and the room was way comfortable), sessions (Geek Lab ROCKED!), events (thank you again Bumble Bee, Healthy Choice, Hallmark, Clorox, and Unilever!), exhibitors, and PEOPLE.
Even in a crowd of 2400 people, I was able to find, hug, and pose for photos with a whole bunch of friends. Of course now that I’m home and going through photos I realize how many people I met up with but didn’t get a photo with, but I’ll have the memory of meeting them, so that’s okay.
There was ZERO DRAMA, people. None. Or if there was, I heard nothing about it. All I heard all weekend was how much fun everyone was having, how great the sessions were, how fun the parties were, how much everyone was enjoying being in New York. I did not hear a single word of complaint about anything, and that was a first for me.
I’m still adding titles and tags to my photos but if you want to see the photos I took from Thursday to Sunday, go to my Flickr page.
There should be some kind of medal, or trophy, or award we can collectively give to the staff of BlogHer for pulling this off. The logistics of getting everything ready so that when we came off the elevators Friday morning everything was in place? Well, it boggles my mind. I never saw Jory, Lisa, or Elisa (the founders of the BlogHer site) the whole weekend which had never happened before, but I saw Community Manager Denise Tanton and Volunteer Coordinator Jes Ferris several times, and told both of them how much I appreciated the work they did, and that BlogHer should be proud of themselves for pulling off such an amazing feat.
I have to admit that for me, this year’s BlogHer was more about connecting with the PR people I’ve worked with over the past year than about attending sessions. I went to two-thirds of the Geek Lab Room of Your Own session called “How to Take Great Pictures, Whether You Have a DSLR or Point-and-Shoot” which was REALLY useful, and another session that I won’t name that was so boring that I got up and left. If I go to BlogHer next year, in San Diego, unless I have a sponsor that pays for the full pass, I think I’ll just buy the Expo Hall and Cocktail Party pass. I don’t want to take up room in the sessions that someone else could be using.
Even though I only went to the one session, it was still the best BlogHer so far, for me. I talked to two different people about what we get out of BlogHer and we all agreed that it was all about “filling the tank”. Going to BlogHer reminds me that what I do, this blogging thing, it’s important and meaningful and fun and life-changing. The love, the respect, the friendship, the understanding that I feel projected at me during BlogHer, it fills up my tank for the whole year.
And that’s why I keep going back.
More From table4five
- Update on project “Get My Butt to BlogHer”
- This Is Where I Belong
- BlogHer Recap 1- and this is just Thursday!
Hi Elizabeth! Thanks for explaining the BlogHer conference. It sounds like a great event!
Fasha recently posted..Pranayama Way To Charge Your Body
Twitter: spoluts world
says:
Yes, i agree with your views that you against the selection that really is where you belong
Twitter: dawniemom
says:
I haven’t begun to put my post together, it was just so MUCH to process! It was so good to finally meet you, though, and thank you so much for the friendship necklace, sharing pizza and gyros and introducing me to the million people you know. You’re a gem!
Twitter: Table4Five
says:
Thank you, Dawn! Having you to hang out with was wonderful. I know a million people, but everyone assumes I have someone else to hang out with, so I often end up alone. Keeping in touch with you during the conference made me so happy!
Hey Elizabeth, btw nice name
These types of events are do great for connecting with colleagues and customers. It can be expensive and often not very convenient to attend but they do so much for your business. Sounds like you had a great time, thanks for sharing.
Yes, i agree with your views
I think this group is worth submitting to, isn’t it?
Twitter: just2in
says:
I agree with your views that you against the selection that really is where you belong!
Twitter: Bucksome
says:
It was a pleasure meeting you my first morning at BlogHer. Your friendliness set the tone for the whole conference.
I hope you come to San Diego (my hometown) next year and we can meet again.
Kay Lynn recently posted..What If You Didn’t File Your Taxes This Year
Twitter: Table4Five
says:
Oh, Kay Lynn, thank you! I do plan to go to next year’s BlogHer so we’ll definitely have to meet up!
Twitter: TheAngelForever
says:
BlogHer was much more amazing than I expected. I think going in with an open mind and not worrying about things helped. Loved meeting you in person and hope to see you again soon.
Twitter: Table4Five
says:
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I feel like I had four previous years of “Surviving BlogHer” training, I can’t imagine this year being my first time. I hope you and TechyDad can come to next year’s BlogHer!
Twitter: erenmckay
says:
Oh wow! I wish I could go. Since I live in Brazil and have serious motion sickness I have no clue of when I will be able to go to the U.S. and meet up with other bloggers at BlogHer. I definitely want to go now that you’re telling us it’s a lot of fun.
Maybe someday I’ll be able to
All the best,
Eren
Eren Mckay recently posted..How to Be and Stay Happy