I spent this past weekend in New York City with about 5,000 other (mostly) women at the 8th annual BlogHer 2012 conference. BlogHer is the ultimate get together for women in the blogging world and attending was an incredible experience.
Many of you saw the photos I posted in a BlogHer album on Facebook yesterday which tells just some of the story and some funny shots too!
BlogHer 2012 Reflections:
The Positives
- I love my family and missed them, but a few days away from the daily grind was rejuvenating
- It was beyond inspiring to see all these women bloggers from across the US connect, collaborate, and celebrate
- Being able to rub elbows with reps from some of the top consumer brands like Pfizer, Samsung, Johnson & Johnson and learn about some lesser-known brands like Love With Food, Kiss USA, and Kuyam.
- I learned something new from absolutely everyone I met and made some new friends
- I am now the proud owner of: cow print pants, a gorgeous Karen Kane silk scarf, Purely Pro Cosmetics lip gloss in the most fierce color, a chocolate business card, Muppets band aid’s, and bags full of other goodies!
- The Glamorous Luncheon at Ruth’s Chris was amazing! Great company, delicious food, and a relaxing and wonderful time away from the conference.
- Although it was early, the StumbleUpon Walking Tour of NYC was fantastic
- The best roommates ever! Sandra from Albany Kid, Jodie Fitz, and Karon Warren
The Negatives
- The hotel and meeting rooms were overcrowded resulting in long lines for food, excessive mess, and overflow seating
- The sessions which I had expected to be really amazing were only so-so. I did enjoy meeting Adria Richards from But You’re A Girl , Carley Knobloch founder of Digitwirl, and Lara Galloway from Mom Biz Coach during the Streamlining Your Technical Toolkit sessions; the only worthwhile session I attended.
- Making the most of a BlogHer conference seems to be based on the number of private parties, events, experiences you can get yourself invited to. Feels like some folks were at BlogHer, but really not at BlogHer at all!
- There are bound to be some bad apples in the bunch with 5,000 other women, but I felt some gals were ruthless with swag collecting and downright rude. I’m talking about you ‘elevator girl’, ‘giant swag bag pushing girl’, ‘Sparklecorn seat-hogger’, and ‘yelling at the wrong person girl’.
So will I go back to BlogHer?
As a matter of fact, I’m already planning for BlogHer13 which will be in Chicago. Windy City, look out!
~Colleen
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Awesome, Colleen! So glad you had fun. Nice milkmen, by the way!
That is so great that you went!! The pictures were awesome. Chicago is an amazing city. That will be a blast too!
Thanks for dropping by Love With Food booth
Hope to see you next year!
Thank you for Sharing Girl!!!! I would love to go next year. I really wanted to go this year, not is the budget yet.
You would have loved it Jen! Definitely try to save for it for next year.
Great Colleen!!! Can’t wait to get more details and see those cow print pants!!