This past weekend, Ben and I headed to Philly for Bloggy BootCamp and GLO’s cocktail party. I had SUCH an awesome time! (Even if we had a rocky start and a broken bolt on the wheelchair lift.)
There are a lot of great recaps, so if you’re looking for an overview on the info learned, I suggest checking out these posts:
10 Things I Learned at Bloggy Boot Camp Philly – A Grande Life
10 Takeaways from Bloggy Boot Camp Philadelphia #BBCPhilly – Look Who Found the Marbles
Bloggy BootCamp Philadelphia – The Preppy Girl in Pink
Tips from Bloggy Boot Camp Philadelphia #BBCPhilly – Girls Lunch Out
Home From Bloggy Boot Camp – Backwards Life
If you’re a blogger who’s been contemplating on putting the money into a conference, I have one thing to say to you: DO IT.
If you need more convincing, here’s my list of the top 5 reasons you should attend a conference:
1.) These people are your friends. They want to hang out with you.
One of the best parts about conferences is the camaraderie. And don’t think that no one knows who you are, because you’ll be surprised to find out just how many people will know you from Twitter or Facebook (or from your obvious wheelchair, in my case). Bloggy BootCamp in particular is fantastic because assigned seating forces you to get out of your comfort zone and talk to new people.
2.) Much Needed Vacation
Hlaf the bag was gone before the end of the day
If I had a nickel for every time I heard someone talk about how much they needed this weekend, or how great they slept in the peace and quiet of their hotel room, I would have the funds to cover another conference ticket. Even Ben, who came with me for mobility reasons, enjoyed the stress-free time lounging in the hotel room.
And if a weekend of uninterrupted Xbox play, the free samples from @KingsHawaiian were enough to keep him content.
3.) Face Time with Brands
An overarching theme of #BBCPhilly was acknowledging that emails aren’t always enough. If you really want to land an opportunity with a company, you need to get in front of them, either in person or on the phone.
4.) Cocktail Parties Rock
Photo by: Girls Lunch Out
Photo by: SITS
3.) Educating Yourself is Worth every Penny
in the long run, the biggest reason to buy a conference ticket is because you will learn SO much that your head will be spinning. They remind you to look at your (blogging) world from a different perspective: looking at the whole picture, looking forward, and looking inward.
Are you going to any conferences this year?
You’re so right about the vacation! Maybe I’ll take Peter to one next year when the baby isn’t so teeny and can spend a weekend with the grandparents
Thanks for the link to my recap. Mucho appreciated. BTW where’d you get that picture from GLO? I’m in it YAY!
Amber @ Backwards Life recently posted..Home From Bloggy Boot Camp!
The photo is from GLO’s blog: http://www.girlslunchout.com/girls-lunch-out-and-ups-fabulous-cocktail-party/
Jen you ROCK!!! So glad to have you on the GLO Team!
I have got to get to one of these. Tell me when you plan on going again, okay?
Maria recently posted..Wordless Wednesday
No I’m not, because I haven’t figured out how to negotiate it with the whole anonymous thing. Good for you! I’m so glad it was fun AND money well spent!
Sorta Southern Single Mom recently posted..PYHO: Ordinary
Woo hoo! PA girls unite! I just wished I got to swap more stories of “true” PA awesomeness!
Diane recently posted..Wrap it Up: Bloggy Boot Camp Philly
I’m so jealous!! [and I'm sooo a Moscato too!!]
Sara recently posted..Our Anniversary Celebrated
Love it!! When Nate was younger, I should have gone because you can bring a baby but now, I need to leave him with someone because Chris blogs too and would want to come! I’m glad you had so much fun!! I was worried when you were stuck for so long. Awesome!
stephanie @ babe’s rockin’ mami recently posted..Skin Care for Athletes
Number one is my favourite reason for attending blog conferences! I get to meet people I’ve been interacting with on blogs – they feel so familiar when you first see them, like you’ve actually met in the physical before. It also works the other way: you meet new people and continue your friendship online, which can be really cool.
You look like you had a SUPER time at the conference. Will you go again?
Yes, I’m going to BlogHer in New York and Bloggy Boot Camp in Las Vegas. These will be my first conferences. Thanks for the great post & tips!
Cheryl recently posted..National Candy Month
Good for you!! I would really like to attend a blog conference – but I already travel so much for work – it is nice to be at home when I can. But, I know if I ever took the plunge, I would love it!
Dana Brown Ritter recently posted..Saturday Morning Post: Guilt, It’s What’s For Dinner