This past weekend, I traveled to Chicago with 5000 other bloggers to attend BlogHer ’13, one of the largest blogging conferences for women around. I was a BlogHer virgin and wasn’t quite sure what to expect. In the end I came way with way more than a name badge and hotel bill.
Here are 10 things I took home with me in my BlogHer ’13 doggie bag:
40 pounds of swag.
The Expo Hall had more free goodies than a Costco tasting hour. I scored big on children’s medicine, skin care products, and other, uh, “sundries” I can’t really mention here without blushing. Keep your eye on this site, I may just be giving some of them away!
Questions, questions and more questions.
A couple of the sessions I attended spoke to me so powerfully and got me thinking about my blogging goals that my head feels like it’s about to explode. I hope to gain some space and time in the next week to sit down and ponder them to find some answers.
Motivation.
Spending three days with fellow bloggers discussing the how and why of writing has got my wheels turning. Both in it’s normal mode of operation, and, as a bonus, in new ways. Which I feel is a good sign of a successful conference.
Less than perfect skin.
All those nights burning the midnight oil and not getting enough water has wreaked havoc on my skin. During the last dinner of the weekend, I felt two very large zits erupt on my face. Not the best of keepsakes.
Knowledge from pretty inspiring people.
Queen Latifah! Guy Kowasaki! Sheryl Sandberg! The lineup was impressive. Say what you want about Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook, but her keynote speech was thought-provoking and motivating. And it made me re-evaluate how I speak to my daughter about her bossy behavior. Those are executive leadership qualities, y’all! I’m leaning in.
A wish list for better sweaters.
While I was warned that the conference center air conditioning can be brutal, I had no idea how cold I would find myself throughout the day. Do they really need to simulate the polar ice caps in an effort to make every attendee comfortable?
Great memories of meeting some amazing women.
Hanging with writers is amazing. They wield their words with craft and artistry in a way that makes me want to enroll in a writing course, STAT. The women I met this past weekend exuded confidence, brilliance, and a fantastic sense of humor.
A case for fiber and Metamucil.
Let’s just say that I didn’t visit the bathroom much during my weekend and leave it at that.
The old me, even if for just a weekend.
Maybe it was being around a hilarious group of people. Maybe it was stripping myself from the role of “Mom” for a couple of days. Maybe it was my body’s coping mechanism against the frigid conference room air. But I haven’t laughed that hard in ages. Once the floodgate opened, I couldn’t stop myself from cackling every chance I got. It was a glorious feeling.
My penchant for dropping the f-bomb.
This habit laid dormant for a really long time. Then I spent three days at BlogHer with some bad-ass bloggers, and now I can’t stop injecting profanity at every turn.
All in all, it was money well spent. If you ever get the chance to attend a BlogHer conference, seriously consider going! Be sure to look for me, I’ll be the one giggling like a school girl lugging four bags of swag around the conference center.
Gina I love your re-cap of BlogHer. I was not there this year but did attend last year and I came home with similar things! It sounds like it was a great time. Thanks for giving me a great taste of BlogHer 13!
Kathy Radigan recently posted…The Good Mom
Thanks, Kathy! Hopefully we’ll both attend next year and we can finally meet in person!
Seriously it was so damn cold in there I couldn’t believe it! Did McCormick miss the memo that is was going to mainly be women – who historically are colder than me. Brrr…..
I think this is normal for most convention centers, but I don’t understand why. It seems like a huge waste of resources. Who needs to see their breath in a breakout session, for crying out loud? Next year, I’m packing a Snuggie…
Gina, it was SO much fun to meet you! Thank you for being the only person who didn’t make fun of me for crying at dinner, and for being generally all-around awesome.
hollow tree ventures recently posted…Ending the Controversy about Anatomically Correct Birthing Dolls
Robin! It was so lovely meeting you too! I won’t make fun of you crying if you don’t make fun of my horse laugh. Hope to see you around again soon…
This? YES! I echo everything you said! I am so thankful that I got to spend time with you on this ride!
Thanks, lady. It was so awesome getting to meet you too!
So funny! I definitely love and agree with the fiber comment!! Plus a snow suit to handle the below freezing temps! I am so going every year and hope to see you there!
Cheers ~
Yes, yes and yes!
And I haven’t done my own wrap up because everyone else’s has been sooooooo fabulous. I had the best time with you lady. I cannot wait another year. Yes, that’s me on your doorstep.
Girl, you can bunk with me ANYTIME. Thanks for keeping me afloat last weekend and letting me shadow you like a lost puppy. We MUST get together again sooner than BlogHer ’14.
Maybe I just have no shame, but I didn’t have the poop problem that everyone else had. Also, it was awesome to meet you! I can’t help but feel partly responsible for the whole f-bomb thing.
Janel recently posted…I Went to BlogHer and All I Got Were These Lousy Friendships
You lucky shit! Pun intended. It’s not that I have issues pooping around other people, I just never got the call. And it was fantastic meeting you. And I’m grateful for my renewed sense of vulgarity, so don’t feel bad. I’m owning that shit.
GINA! I loved meeting you and getting to spend so much time with you and Keesha. You know you get the MPV award, right? Glad to hear I’m not the only one adding a heavy sweater and Miralax to my next conference packing list. And I loved Sheryl Sandberg’s talk too. Looking forward to hanging with you on FB and getting to know you better!
Leslie @ The Bearded Iris recently posted…
LESLIE! I was so tickled to meet you too. Thanks for the Prestigious Award. I await my fragile lady leg lamp in the mail any day now. And glad you commiserate on the plumbing issue. Looking forward to getting to know you better too! Wait, is that a Taylor Swift song?
I love this post! I think some of these things are things I have found at various conferences, and they make me smile.
Glad you enjoyed yourself and had a great experience!
Andrea B (@goodgirlgonered) recently posted…Dusting off the shelves.
Thanks, Andrea! At least it was money well spent. And I’d do it again if I could.
I am glad you enjoyed yourself, got good things out of it. It’s such a worthwhile experience. Yes to the less than frequent bathroom visiting. Yes to the cold (I brought a sweater for every outfit, I am so not exaggerating. Yes to motivation, inspiration, zits, and cursing because we can.
Arnebya recently posted…Ignition
So, perhaps the slogan for BlogHer should be “yes we can”? I’m just sayin… And next year, I HAVE to invest in more sweaters.
LOL, I was having the zit break out Saturday afternoon, I wanted a sticker or something to hide behind while talking to brands!
Kristin Barclay recently posted…And The Best BlogHer 13 Booth Award Goes To?
I know, right? I kept loitering around the beauty brands during breaks hoping someone might have some magic trick up their sleeve to help a blogger out.