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| All the gorgeous decorations were made by Shannon from We Create Hoopla who I was lucky enough to sit beside during lunch and the main presentations |
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| Jen from Rambling Renovators is the the founder, CEO, and powerhouse behind Blogpodium (Ya did an awesome job Jen) |
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| How cute are these salt and pepper pair |
Blogpodium is a Canadian conference for design and lifestyle bloggers. Overall my day was fantastic and I learned so much (I'll post more about what I learned at the presentations in another post). I've been to many speech/language conferences for work, but I can tell you that this one was very different. It was much more ... in a word ... stylish.
Here's what I learned (and my observations may apply more to design blogger conferences than other types of blog conferences):
1. Most bloggers are young.
2. Most bloggers are VERY stylish
3. Most bloggers can wear high heels ALL DAY LONG!
4. You will learn A LOT at a conference and come away inspired and full of ideas and in awe of all the talent around you
5. You will have to force yourself to interact far more than you are comfortable with (leading to a long sleep-in on Sunday morning and a day spent in yoga pants doing nothing). Truthfully, unless you are a real people person and are happy entering a room full of 250 strangers and striking up a conversation with someone you don't know, it will be hard work. Going with a friend would have made this part easier as I did find that the constant need to put myself out there to interact and socialize was difficult and draining.
6. The party decor and table settings will knock your socks off (see the pictures above)
7. The food will be amazing and you will consume many calories
8. You will learn how to use your camera and actually take it off the 'auto' setting for the first time since you got your camera over two years ago (oh, wait this one is definitely just me)
9. You will accumulate a lot of swag as you go about your day and visit the sponsor's booths (see #10)
10. The sponsors are phenomenally generous. For example, Home Depot gave away all the tools that we used in the hands-on session (more about that later), Delta Faucets had a little candy bar so we could load up on chocolates and jelly beans, and Tonic Living gave away fabric squares to be used in a contest (I'm brimming over with ideas for it).
It is always difficult to know what to wear to a blogging conference (see #2 above), but good news, I found something and didn't go naked. The shoes, scarf, and pants were good, but the shirt was a little casual. Oh well, there was a range of styles and I felt comfortable so it was all good.
More details coming soon about some of the take away ideas I got from the presentations, including Sarah Richardson's address.
Have you ever been to a blogger's conference? What was your impression?
1. Most bloggers are young.
2. Most bloggers are VERY stylish
3. Most bloggers can wear high heels ALL DAY LONG!
4. You will learn A LOT at a conference and come away inspired and full of ideas and in awe of all the talent around you
5. You will have to force yourself to interact far more than you are comfortable with (leading to a long sleep-in on Sunday morning and a day spent in yoga pants doing nothing). Truthfully, unless you are a real people person and are happy entering a room full of 250 strangers and striking up a conversation with someone you don't know, it will be hard work. Going with a friend would have made this part easier as I did find that the constant need to put myself out there to interact and socialize was difficult and draining.
6. The party decor and table settings will knock your socks off (see the pictures above)
7. The food will be amazing and you will consume many calories
8. You will learn how to use your camera and actually take it off the 'auto' setting for the first time since you got your camera over two years ago (oh, wait this one is definitely just me)
9. You will accumulate a lot of swag as you go about your day and visit the sponsor's booths (see #10)
10. The sponsors are phenomenally generous. For example, Home Depot gave away all the tools that we used in the hands-on session (more about that later), Delta Faucets had a little candy bar so we could load up on chocolates and jelly beans, and Tonic Living gave away fabric squares to be used in a contest (I'm brimming over with ideas for it).
It is always difficult to know what to wear to a blogging conference (see #2 above), but good news, I found something and didn't go naked. The shoes, scarf, and pants were good, but the shirt was a little casual. Oh well, there was a range of styles and I felt comfortable so it was all good.
More details coming soon about some of the take away ideas I got from the presentations, including Sarah Richardson's address.
Have you ever been to a blogger's conference? What was your impression?
Loved hearing about your experience. I have never been to a blogging conference. Perhaps because I am not young, can't wear high heels and have to really make an effort to be stylish. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a week as beautiful as you!
You look great! I have not been to a blog conference but I was seriously considering this one. I would have struggled with #1,2,3 and 5.
ReplyDeleteI have never been to a Blogger event, but this one sounds and looks wonderful. Can't wait to hear what you learned.
ReplyDeleteBTW, Grace, you look very casual chic. To tweak it up a bit, all you need is to go a bit bolder with your jewelry -- earrings, bracelet, etc. Easy fix.
I agree with all your points. And despite the fact you had to push yourself out of your comfort zone and interact with new people, I am SO very glad you came. You fit right in ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat observations. You look darling!
ReplyDeleteNo I have never been to a blogger event. Would love to go. When is the next one. I'm also Canadian.
ReplyDeleteI have never attended one of these events but it certainly looks like you found it worthwhile - lots of goodies too. The menu looks delicious!
ReplyDeletehttp://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/
How much fun. I've never been to one, but I'd LOVE to one day! I can't wait to read what Sarah said. The decor looks so cute!
ReplyDeleteI have never been to a bloggers' conference but I know all about entering a room full of people alone. I was a realtor for almost 30 years and attended my share of real estate conferences where the goal is to network. After the initial entrance, I loved working the room.
ReplyDeleteI found your observation that it would have been easier if you had gone with a friend to make the effort to put yourself out there to be very interesting. Do you think that a blogger, in general, in communicating with hundreds/thousands of people daily via computer, has neglected the face-to-face people skills? Not criticizing, just wondering if the computer that has not only opened the world to us, has taken the place of much of our face-to-face time with people? It sounds/looks like you had a fabulous time and I can't wait to hear about all you have learned!!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear what you learned. I'm so jealous. I couldn't make it work this year with a 5 month old. Next year for sure!
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun. I am not surprised that a lot of the attending bloggers were young given the number of mommy blogs out there. Heels all day? Hmmmm....I can start in heels but I always pack a pair of flats for later in the day.
ReplyDeleteI have never been to one but I would love to get myself to one if there happens to be one in Quebec one day.
Just wanted to say - lovely photo of you. I think you dressed just perfectly for the occasion.
ReplyDelete