A year ago if someone would have asked me if I would ever consider attending a blogging conference I would have looked at them with a sideways glance, eyebrows furrowed and asked “Who me? Why?”. Then I would have gone into a long speech about how I’m no way near that level of blogging and how I never will be. Well that was last year. This year, I am in fact attending the largest social media conference of 2012, BlogHer12!
After winning the Blog Awesome Challenge through Tots2Tweens back in April, I was provided with a full conference sponsorship to Bloggy Boot Camp Philly. This was the perfect conference to get my conference feet wet . The conference is limited to 100 attendees, which creates a more intimate environment to build connections among all of the attendees. I had a blast meeting some amazing women and learning about the business of blogging.
Following the conference, I still couldn’t imagine attending such a huge event, like BlogHer12. As I continued to build more and more relationships with some amazing bloggers, I caught the bug. This is an exciting time in the blogging world and I want in. Thanks to a few things falling into place over the past few weeks and the support of my husband (although I’m pretty sure he still things I’m crazy), I am New York City bound in 9 days!
I had no idea there would be so much lingo and preparation for just one social media conference. The Twitter feed #BlogHer12 is constantly streaming. The Facebook page “I’m Going to BlogHer12″ moves faster than my bare-bottomed-alligator-wrestling toddler when I’m trying to change his diaper. The excitement and anticipation over the lunch keynote speakers, Martha Stewart and Katie Curic, can be felt around the blogosphere. The sponsored and private parties are all the talk on every social media avenue. Do I even need to mention the talk of swag? It’s all enough to make anyone want to crawl into a fetal position and wonder “Just what did I get myself into?”.
Then I remind myself, you aren’t in Oz anymore, Mindi. This is not your typical Speech-Language Pathology conference, where you roll in wearing your everyday work attire, listen to speakers talk about speechie research and practices, and chat about laryngeal penetration, suck:swallow:breath rate, and premature spillage (yes, I really do use these terms in my work environment- get your mind out of the gutter!). Instead of pens, laryngeal mirrors, pen lights, and bright yellow SuperDuper swag bag to haul all of your treasures home, there are “real brands”, that want to connect with you, the blogger. This is the real deal. Around 4,000 women will be traveling to the Big Apple, hair cut and styled, skin plucked, waxed, and exfoliated, nails and toes done, and outfits from head to toe strategically planned for weeks. This is BlogHer12. I’m going. Hold me.
Come back Tuesday to find out how I’m faking it till I make it all the way to NYC and link up your BlogHer12 post. In the meantime, check out my Pinterest board How to Survive a BlogHer Conference.
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Twitter: itsavol
July 23, 2012 at 12:18 PM
Congrats! I hope you have a great time! I want to go next year, but I am TERRIFIED of being the awkward girl in the corner. I’m trying to get over that!
Have fun, my friend, and I can’t wait to see what you come back with to share! 
Sarah @ It’s a Vol! recently posted..Vacation Hangover!
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