8/6/09

Yes, it's one more post about BlogHer. Sue me.


Things I learned at the BlogHer conference; in no particular order. (Ahem, is that a semi-colon?)

1. You can NEVER have enough business cards. You will be passing them out on the plane, in the lobby of the hotel, the elevator, bathroom, lunchroom, at the sessions, exhibits and parties. The cards are of various shapes and sizes, and have avatars on them, pictures, and others are tied to packages of candy kisses or stationary. They are very clever and cool at the same time! (Pssst, you can get free business cards at Vista.com .)

2. You will meet far too many people to remember everyone. I tried to go through my cards each evening to try to imprint images on my brain.

3. When someone else pays for your conference AND your room, you are more likely to force yourself to go to every session and stay involved in as many activities as possible. You will not allow yourself to waste one minute of the day

4. When attending sessions, make sure you arrive at least 15 minutes before the session begins, or you will have to stand in the corner or sit on someone’s lap. If you have a question, don’t hesitate to stand up and say your name AND the name of your blog. When the audience erupts in applause and cheers, it just might be one of the HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR LIFE. I still get chills thinking about it.

5. After you find out that you DO have a ticket to the conference, find out when and where all the parties are. Then, SIGN UP RIGHT AWAY. Apparently, many of the parties will only allow you in if you are on the “guest” list. AND, when Stiletto Mom invites you to a PRIVATE PARTY on a rooftop in Chicago, don’t HESITATE to go. You might just meet several FAMOUS authors and bloggers and one very cool (and CUTE) dude who sings. His name might be Chris Mann.

6. If you DO manage to sign up for a couple of parties, make sure you are one of the FIRST ones there so that you can get the good “swag” bags. (Apparently some people received Kodak video cameras. I can’t even think about it.)

7. There IS such a thing as too much swag.

8. Even if some amazing blog followers take up a collection and give you money to spend at the conference, you will still swipe Sweet and Low, honey and jelly packets from the coffee shops in the lobby, the Chicago Airport and the Oregon Airport.

9. Inevitably, if some amazing blog followers take up a collection and give you money to spend at the conference, when you get home your washing machine will die a HORRIBLE death, and you will spend what’s left of that money on a new one. Thank you, thank you, thank you.


10. There ARE angels in the world. And some of them blog.




55 comments:

Dreamgirl said...

Oh, I would have loved to go...
Doubt that I would take the trip from Norway though...
Just stopping by from SITS wishing you a wonderful Thursday!

Tania @ Larger Family Life said...

Do I get to go next year... from here in the UK?! Perhaps there should be a Worldwide Blogher Event?

Chanda said...

I love reading about it! Now I am wanting to go, lol. And I thought I was too new to even worry about it *sigh*

Loukia said...

Great post! Reading this makes me very excited to go to BlogHer '10!

Hit 40 said...

OH NO!!! The washer died... I hope this is not the beginning of some major $$$. I started with the oven, then the computer died. Now my damn car!!!

Thanks for the party tips!! NOW WHICH PARTIES HAD OPEN BARS????

Brian Miller said...

too much swag...seriously? glad you had the money to fix the washer pretty readily though. so is there a BlogHim?

Kathy B! said...

I think if I went, I wouldn't be allowed to sign up for these cool parties!! I would sooo love to go to BlogHer, though. It sounds amazing. I'm glad you had such a wonderful time...

And I really am sorry about the washer. Did you get one of those front-loaders?

Anonymous said...

Aw, seems like you had such a great experience!! Thanks for the paty tips who knows maybe in a couple of years I'll be able to go and I'll be ready!!! ;)

Bethany said...

I'm jealous! Glad you had a great time, hoping to make it to BlogHer '10 but who knows :)

Meg said...

It IS amazing when blog followers take up a collection for mad money, and more amazing when a blogger allows a complete stranger to crash in her room. Thanks VM.

And thanks for your left-over vodka. I'm not sure I should have been driving back to Ohio with an open container, but oh well.

c'รจ montessori said...

yeah I'm with Maggie, it just seems like you had an amazing amazing time.. And also wish there was a BlogHim like Brian suggests.

Everyone erupting in applause at the mention of Vodkamom! Yes!

Kathryn Magendie said...

There's a conference of blogers? or boghers or? where have I been? and did I already say this same thing before: "there's a conf of bloggers?" or did I just think I did -- good gawd! Where am I?

anyway-there's a conference of bloggers???? !!!!

Michele said...

The Stiletto Mom is so great that if she asked me to wash her dog or babysit her children my answer will always be yes!!!

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't mind MORE posts about it. I enjoy hearing about what you did. And seeing some pics of those you meet.

SkylersDad said...

I am thinking that if there were such a thing as a bloghim conference, it wouldn't be half as cool. Just a room full of dudes drinking and scratching...

Sprite's Keeper said...

I agree with every single thing on your list. Especially number 10. You were an absolute angel to me! (Still are!)
xoxo

Captain Dumbass said...

I'm so happy you had such a good time there. And hey, number 6! I got that shwag and I wasn't even there! (Though I really wished I was)

Samantha said...

Its so awesome that you had a good time and took advantage of the opportunity! Its so awesome that people cheered for you!!!!! You deserve it!

Fragrant Liar said...

Hey, congrats on everything, especially the standing O! (Not orgasm, you crazy woman -- get off the sauce! Although, getting an O just standing around would be a nice change of pace). I love hearing all the BlogHer stories.

Jan said...

Ah, another BlogHer post that makes me wish I had gone. *sigh*

Christy said...

I am seriously so glad I met you. TWICE! You're even more adorable and beautiful and funny in person than I thought you would be. You rock. So glad you had such fun - next year I hope we get to actually hang out instead of just chatting in the lobby!

Vodka Logic said...

After I clicked on Chris Mann that is all I can remember about your blog lol..he is a cutie.

BlogHer in NYC next year? That isn't too far maybe I can make it.

L xx

Expat From Hell said...

Please keep me posted on the whereabouts of BlogHer 2010. I think I will have just about healed from my sex change operation by that time.

I love this stuff!

ExpatFromHell

confused homemaker said...

Yuck on the washing machine, sounds like the timing that I tend to experience.

Jen said...

Love the list! Timely, I just got my cards from Vista last week! I'm looking forward to the next one in NYC - thanks for the tips!

Joanie said...

Love your ten things!!

And know all about the generosity of bloggers. Helped me get my car fixed. And get parking passes at the hospital.

Lynn said...

OK,
OK,
OK!
I'll go next year!
I hear it's in NYC!

Gayle said...

My blog is neither funny nor inspiring. I am a boring blog in the standard of good blogs. I could never imagine going to a conference where I had to actually say the name of my blog and then then go "oh". BUT the swag has my interest. I love free shit. :)

Glad you had a good time and brought home some great memories.

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

I loved reading another BlogHer post. It gives me a much better idea about what to expect. Sorry about the washing machine, but so inspired by the love gift you got.

Sultan said...

It's nice that you had a fine time in our sunny but cold city. Good karma to you.

Nanny Goats In Panties said...

It's okay, people are still talking about BlogHer. I'm not done yet. Hey, I know!... Let's sue each other!

Unknown said...

1. I can never hear enough about BlogHer
2. You can never have enough small packets of condiments
3. We can never get enough of you, sweetheart...

It is my hope that i see you in NYC 2010

Peace - Rene

Sharon Rose said...

Wow, sounds like you are still enjoying the moments and memories of this conference! I am so happy you were able to go! So many people to meet, parties to go to and such a nice time was had by all!

*Akilah Sakai* said...

Glad you had a swell time, VodkaMom. (Did I just say swell?) You'll never forget popping your BlogHer cherry.

Ron said...

I'll sue for all the photos of Chicago... they're making me homesick! Glad you enjoyed yourself.

♥ Braja said...

I didn't know Clark Kent was from Chicago.......??

All my childhood memories are being blown apart....

Sassy Chica said...

Great post...I am looking forward to going next year...totally missed the boat this year!

darsden said...

Totally awesome, I can't think of anybody more deserving to have a room full of people applauding her
(except Braja standing beside you) That is just wonderful and so glad you got to go and enjoy yourself. I love Chris Mann-his video Heartless is the bomb!

The Girl Next Door said...

Yeah for you! And I love this list. You rock. This conference sounds a lot like the industry conferences I go to - secret parties and guest lists. Fortunately I have figured out the system! And a trick for remembering people - write on the back of the card where you met them or some key that will trigger that memory. I come home with hundreds of cards and someone will call me 6 months later and expect that I know exactly who they are!

Malisa said...

It all sounds like SO much fun!

Malisa

Stacey / Create a Balance for Moms said...

Love the list. I agree...you have to RSVP early to the parties, you have to get in line for the parties early if the swag bags are important to you, and you have to get to the session early if having an actual seat is important to you.

You can also meet amazing bloggers early in the morning at the coffee shop when everyone else is sleeping.

That Janie Girl said...

I'm living BlogHer vicariously thru posts like yours, heifer.

Thanks for the links.

Now. Can I have a loan?

JK, love ya muchas!!

That Janie Girl said...

Oh, and the Standing O?

I wasn't even there and I just got chillbumps.

Will you remember when you're really famous that I'm your biggest fan? Best fan? Fan with the biggest ass?

What. ev. er.

Love ya

Unknown said...

Loved hearing about it...drooling about the steak dinner, the swag, the blog pallies that you met face to face and all of the late night fun. It makes me wish that I was there.

Scope said...

It was an honor and a pleasure meeting you that Thursday afternoon.

Joanie said...

I keep thinking I'll sign up for BlogHer someday and then I never do. Maybe next year?

Desert Songbird said...

I also heard someone suggest that you put your photo on your business card since it will be difficult enough to remember everyone you ever meet.

Pseudo said...

You gotta a whole lotta love coming at you VM ; -) Well deserved I might add.

SSP said...

hey you can see MY hotel from here! I wish i had been able to come to the conference!! i had another one to do..maybe next year...sounds like it was a blast and I love reading about it...so sorry to hear about the washer....

The Gaelic Wife said...

It sounds like a lot of fun. I'm so envious now. I wanna go someday.

DKC said...

Great advice! Fingers crossed for 2010!

Scary Mommy said...

Damn! I'm so angry that I wasn't in the room applauding for you. I would have been the loudest, if I'd been there. :)

anymommy said...

there are and you are one of them!

Bodaciousboomer said...

This is my first trip to BlogHer. Any advice for a newbie?

Mimi Lenox said...

I must I must I must go next year. How cool is that!!!