Wednesday, August 11, 2010

When Opportunity Knocks, Answer the Door!

I was fortunate enough to go to Blogher for the past 2 years. Both years were amazing, but you might be surprised why.

Blogher to me is not about swag.

It's a nice perk, and I don't refuse it, but the event is more than that.

It is about opportunities that I do not have on an every day basis. I was able to hang out with a bunch of women who are "tuned in". It was not weird that we were on our crackberries or iphones constantly. It was not weird that we were all depending on wireless connection in the hotel so we could use our laptops whenever the mood struck. It was not weird that while one of my roomates was in the bathroom, 2 of us were in bed on our laptops and one of us was on her crackberry. (Well, ok, it was a little funny.) It was not weird that my roommate, 2 years running, took some time to catch me up on a few computer/blog oddities that I had not figured out. Typical life on Cape Cod is a little less dependent on blogs or twitter.

Before last week, I had been to NYC for 2 days. Those 2 days were all about my girls, so I saw all the toy stores in the area and the Rockerfeller Christmas tree. This trip, I literally walked my ass off. I saw so many sites, tasted so many great foods, and took so many pictures. I would never have made the time in my daily life to take a 5 day trip to NYC with a bunch of friends, which is why I am grateful for Blogher. I attended sessions, hung with old friends, met new friends and talked to representatives for many fantastic businesses.

I was fortunate enough to be invited to 3 special events during the weekend. These events will get their due deserve of a full post soon. In my quiet life on Cape Cod, I do not get these opportunities every day. I was able to enjoy a day on Ellis Island with Liberty Mutual, I was able to attend a Penthouse Christmas party with Hallmark and I was able to go to the Scholastic Head Quarters to hear about their new initiatives and new books that are launching this year. Did I get invited to ALL the special events were offered around Blogher? No. I am OK with that. What I got invited to was incredible, special and these are memories that I will have forever. Hopefully they are contacts that I will have forever, too, since these companies are ones that I have always supported.

Will I be at Blogher11 in San Diego next August? Yes, because I love my bloggy friends and couldn't imagine missing a year learning, growing and experiencing life outside my backyard.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hope you are taking the girls and me with you! Start playing the lottery! Nana

Anonymous said...

I highly doubt I have a getaway to San Diego in my near future. Maybe when my kids are older. Meanwhile, keep me posted on future close-to-home events.

So glad it was awesome.

Andrea said...

Glad you had a positive experience. Love the title of this post!

Lisa Noel said...

got my ticket to blogher 11 and reading posts like this make me not so scared! thanks!1

ps found you from Melisa's blogher post.
i'm in the burbs of Chicago and blog at http://www.ohboyohboyohboy.com

scargosun said...

I need to look into this networking stuff more. Maybe that is my goal this year and then I'll be ready for a conference.

Vodka Mom said...

Having a chance to really talk to you, and spend time with you- meant a lot to me.

Love you- like a sis. Honestly.


SMACK.

Michelle said...

Yay! So glad you'll be in SD with us. It's such fun, no? And we promise not to lose you there, either. miss you!

Heather said...

And THIS is why I want to go to BlogHer next year. FOR SURE. I'm so glad that you had a great time!

Unknown said...

Had to stop by and visit. I got your card at BlogHer. Glad I did. It's fun to support fellow women-bloggers. BTW, I'm partial to the DARK chocolate M&Ms!

qandlequeen said...

I love experiences like this when people of similar experience can gather. I haven't attended any blogging gatherings, but I might one day.

Anonymous said...

I am so glad I got to meet you & spend time with you. I am 99% sure I'm going to Blogher 11. I guess its time this New Yorker goes to CA! :)

Melisa Wells said...

You bought your ticket ALREADY? Wow, you're hardcore! haha

Guess I should think about buying mine...