’13 street sign, Ilene (Fierce Diva Guide to Life) and me, Chicago at night, my roommate Nicole (ThirdEyeMom) and me, plane at Logan Airport
My recent trip to Chicago for the BlogHer ’13 conference still feels like a big blur to me.
Since I posted about my trip back to Maine from Chicago over social media, many people have noted that they “can’t wait to hear all about it.”
It’s hard to summarize everything that happened over the those three days at the Sheraton, McCormick Place and in the city of Chicago.
BlogHer, as an event, is much more than workshops, keynotes, sponsors, parties and swag. (Read yesterday’s post about my dinner with Save the Children, if you haven’t already.)
It’s the interactions that I had in between it all that meant the most to me. It’s those interactions – with bloggers, sponsors, panelists – that make me want to go back next year.
Instead of writing a post with the highlights from my trip, I decided to put together a video.
Watch my video recap of #BlogHer13
Yes, I went to a vlogging workshop at BlogHer, which inspired me to get back on the video blogging wagon. Though I’m still working on lighting, timing and all that other fun stuff that goes with vlogging.
All in good time.
Oh, and did I mention I won a snow cone machine from Best Buy? Yup. That happened at BlogHer ’13 too.
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Next year I am planning better! I loved your recap!!
Thanks! You should definitely go next year, Michelle! Keep an eye out for the early bird pricing. I paid half the price last November. 🙂
You won a snow cone machine??? How cool! OK, I’m gonna watch your vlog. So glad you did this, my eyes are tired this morning!
I got an email from Best Buy when I was in a workshop that said I won something. They had to ship it because it was too big to have at the conference. We’ll see what I get! I just know it’s a snow cone machine. My kids are excited. 🙂
I love how eating bacon while listening to Sheryl Sandberg was one of your highlights! I think the only thing that could have made BlogHer better for me is if I could have eaten pizza while listening to her keynote.
I loved meeting you – even though it already felt like I have through our G+ hangouts – although nothing beats IRL!!!
I am so going back next year! I hope you are too!
It’s a date, Ilene! We’ll have to get Michelle, Alexa, Chris and Tamara there too. 🙂
Did they announce next year’s city yet? I think they did at the end of last year’s BlogHer, but I haven’t heard anything.
Of course you sat next to a woman from the National Pork Board! Wow, they gave a lot of lube! I would really like to attend BlogHer next year, but if it’s the same weekend, it’s not going to work. Seems to be the busiest weekend of the year!!
I was so excited when she told me. I have her card and everything. We talked about my tagline and driving the wienermobile, of course. 🙂 Last year BlogHer was in the beginning of August, so who knows. I hope you can go!
I wish I had gone to the International Activist presentation! I’m such a dork, though, and I couldn’t figure out where it was. I think they should be a keynote next time!
Great recap!
They were great, Ginny. It was one of the 400 rooms. Too hidden, if you ask me!
Sorry I missed meeting you!
Awesome!! I love your vlog, the swag part rocks! Great way to share your experience.
Thanks, Elizabeth! There was too much to write so I kept it simple. 🙂
I did! That was me in Sverve mode looking to say hi! Ah, well…next year for sure. 🙂
It’s too bad we didn’t discover each other until the end. Next year for sure!
Loved your recap, and was so glad to meet you in person! (Snow cone? SO jealous.)
And last year they made the International Activitists a keynote … I think they should do so again next year!!
I agree, Justine. The stories were amazing. I had the chance to sit with two of the scholarship recipients during Sheryl Sandberg as well. Very cool.
So glad we could meet!
Bacon and snow cones? Ummm I’m THAT MUCH MORE jealous now. Grrr I can’t wait for next year.
Hmmmm. I wonder if I could make bacon flavored snow cones.
Oh my goodness…laughing hysterically at my desk about the swag! Great vlog, I love the editing…I’m going to try that out. Sounds like BlogHer ’13 was awesome!
Thanks, Katie. I tried to follow some of what i learned during the vlogging session. It’s always a work in progress. The key is to publish it in the first place!
Love it. And I think that James Oliver totally seems like a very happy, huggy guy. I liked talking with him on the phone! And Jennifers in India? Who knew?! And yes, I’m writing notes for my comment while listening to this. I’m very good at note-taking. The last 30 seconds take the cake!
(I don’t have that kind of blog either, but I totally slip every now and then and people get to know how obscene I really am)
I’m totally picturing you taking notes on my vlog as your husband cooks. 🙂
James is a happy (and awesome) guy. Some people are just genuinely nice people and he is just that.
The Trojan booth was hilarious. Last year they handed out vibrators. Wasn’t vlogging then. 🙂
I LOVED your swag part! Hilarious! The Vlog was a great way to recap your experience. It sounded like an amazing time!
Thanks, Leah. That was only a small portion of the swag I brought home! It was a great time. Can’t wait for next year.
Lube, cookies, and plastic boob shell things – what more could you want? Your BlogHer experience sounds like a good one… and now I wish I didn’t miss the International activists’ panel.
That pretty much sums up #BlogHer13. The activist panel was really great. Way too hidden though!
You lost me after bacon!
Joking!
I hope to go sometime in the near future.
I probably shouldn’t lead with that, right?
It’s a great time. So fun to see so many bloggers in one place!
Hehe, loved the end (I mean, how can you not reference the lube?) And you won a snow cone machine?! Meant to ask what the grand prize was, glad I found out.
But all that aside, I could not agree more that BlogHer was all about the connections, and it sounds like you also made some really incredible ones. I didn’t know much about the International Activist panel, but it sounds like it was pretty amazing, and I think this sounds like it is worthy of a keynote address.
I’ll be interested to see the snow cone machine. I took a peek on Best Buy’s website and they had so many different kinds!
The activist panel used to be a keynote. I hope they make it one again. The stories will blow you away.