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Written and photographed by Janice Croze, co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom. 5 Minutes for Mom was a blog ambassador for Blogger Bash, but our opinions and words are always our own.
There are blog conferences and then there is Blogger Bash…
I love blog conferences. I have been to more than I can list here — as an attendee, a speaker, a board member, and a co-host.
Each one has its highlights and its benefits. But, just like I won’t say I have a favorite child, I won’t name my favorite conference either.
This July, I had the chance to attend a very different kind of “blog conference.” In fact, it wasn’t really a conference at all.
The New Party on the Block
Blogger Bash was an experiment — a solution to a growing problem…
As the number and size of blog conferences increase, so does the problem of conference burn out. Many veteran bloggers have mastered their blogging skills and no longer want to sit in lecture rooms and learn the same lessons.
There is nothing wrong with those lessons! New bloggers need to learn them. But often experienced bloggers are looking for different returns on their conference investments — namely, networking with other bloggers and brands.
So, instead of attending sessions at conferences, lots of bloggers hit brand sponsored parties and events, hoping for an environment that is more suitable for deeper relationship building.
However, some of those parties are not hosted by official conference sponsors and that isn’t fair to conference organizers to have their attendees siphoned away. Therefore this “outboarding” is strongly discouraged.
What to do???
Well, Laurie Schacht (Toy Insider, The Big Toy Book), Joey Fortman (Real Mom Media), and Charlene DeLoach (Charlene Chronicles), responded with their new concept for bloggers and brands — BLOGGER BASH!
The first Blogger Bash hit New York City, July 17 and 18, featuring 10 themed parties over the course of two days — all in the same location, seamlessly intertwined so bloggers didn’t have any stress over leaving one event to rush to another.
And it was a great SUCCESS!
As a Blog Ambassador for Blogger Bash 2014, I was thrilled for the Blogger Bash team that the event went so well and I was honored to have 5 Minutes for Mom involved.
Even as I dashed from room to room, capturing all the fun on my camera, (you can see more of my Blogger Bash photos on Flickr and feel free to use on your own sites,) I barely felt a bump as the event played out.
Yes, I imagine there was some backstage stress going on, but Joey, Charlene, Stephanie, and the rest of the team ensured that the events went smoothly. With ten events, tens of party hosts, and 100 brands — it was definitely a challenge, I am sure.
Are Conferences in Danger?
I wouldn’t worry that traditional blog conferences are going to disappear. There is a need for education and community learning.
I will continue to attend and support blogging conferences. As I said, I am a huge fan of blog conferences. To just name a few, Susan and I always have a great experience at Type-A Parent Conference, Mom 2.0 Summit rocks it every year and this spring was no exception, Blissdom Canada continues to benefit bloggers and brands in Canada, and we love Disney Social Media Moms Celebration which we co-hosted for the first three years.
But, as the blogging landscape continues to evolve and the needs of bloggers and brands grow, I am certain that Blogger Bash will be the first of more party-centered events to come.
If you want to read more re-caps from bloggers who attended Blogger Bash 2014, check out more posts in the Blogger Bash Link Up at A Grande Life.
Looking Forward to Next Year…
I am not sure what the Blogger Bash team has planned for the future, but I am certain that with so many creative entrepreneurs out there in the blogosphere, new events will continue to spring up.
I wish the best for all the blogging events, new and old, and hope to be at as many of them as possible…
Here’s to the fabulous, growing world of blogging — and hopefully I will see you next year at Blogger Bash 2015!
RICHARD HICKS says
It looks like it was a really fun party from the pics. Bet you learned a lot too.
Jill Myrick says
This looks like so much fun and such a great learning experience.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
Smaug says
Blogger bash sounds like fun!
elizabeth miller says
I think this was an awesome idea. You have to change things up and merge the old with the new and the more hand on the more most people enjoy things.
Susie says
What a good idea! I’ve experienced the hopping around from one party to another trying to meet with sponsors ahead of the conference, and fit in as much as possible. It’s stressful.
Lisa Marz says
Looks like you had a great time!
christina says
Looks like you had so much fun.
Eileen Richter says
For a few years now have dreamed of blogging and becoming a part of how blogging is shaping our world, our families, marriages, kids relationships, education, etc. So I love to see the events and all the photos. Because I really do dream of making this happen once I am well again. I enjoy seeing the connection you all have. NO, not always fun as it is a lot of work for sure. But it just seems so cool that women and a few men, are so empowered to make a difference by networking like this.
Tricia Nightowlmama says
WOW looks like a great event. Wish I could attend more of them
Barbara Platt says
that looks like so much fun, I wish I could walk
Jessica Medina says
Looks like you guys had a great time!
Caitlin McClure says
Looks like fun!
Angela Saver says
Looks like a lot of fun, & I think these conferences are really needed to help educate everyone!
DEBIJOT says
What a great experience for you.
Cheyenne says
Looks like such fun!!!!
Heather Hayes Panjon says
Looks Like Such A Fun Event! Great Way To Connected With Brands And Other Bloggers!
anna says
What a blast!
Michelle says
That looks like a great time was had by all.. 🙂
CR Williams says
Looks like you guys had a lot of fun!
Anne Taylor says
Looks like an amazing experience! What a great way to meet other bloggers and to network!
anne hill says
looks like fun but i dont think i would be a good blogger cuz its too much work.
vickie couturier says
what fun,,you gals always go to the best places,,im so envious
Mary Kay Russell says
Hi Janice,
I think your post captured the spirit of the event perfectly. Laurie and her team hit it out of the park with a format that was very unique, lots of fun, and as beneficial for brands as it was for bloggers. I attended this year with my R&R Games client, and we had a terrific experience. The Sweet Suite set-up made for the perfect play space, and the “speed dating” on day 2 allowed for my client and I to really get to know the bloggers better, and for them to understand what we’re all about. The bloggers presented themselves so well, so professionally, and it was awesome to hear fresh ideas, brainstorm ways we could work together, and see such passion and excitement. Like a kid in a candy store 🙂
I wish you and I had a chance to meet … Maybe at the next Sweet Suite!
All the best,
Mary Kay
Kathy stevenson says
Looks like fun!
Janet W. says
That looks like such a fun event! That’s so nice for you bloggers to be able to get together.
Meagan bs says
this looks like fun, kinda makes me wish i was a blogger too haha. i wish i had more time for it.
justin tan says
looks like a fun party! wish I could be there. so much fun
anne says
Delightful and so much fun to get together and see other products.
Rebecca Parsons says
This looks like a great time getting to know other bloggers and companies who have great products to promote.
Dianna A says
Wish I could go to one of these. This looks like fun.
Nolie says
Sounds like an amazing conference for those of us who no longer get much value from sitting in on lectures. Totally going to put this one on my wish list. Maybe it will even end up being my very first US conference.
JOEY FORTMAN says
Hey Janice!
You were a TRUE GEM to have apart of the event!
Your go-with-the-flow-personality was so great to have there! We weren’t sure what the event was going to turn into – but your amazing pictures captured the true spirit of everything we were trying to do with Blogger Bash! I hope you had a wonderful time and can’t wait to work with you more in the future. I always thought you were awesome and now I KNOW you are MEGA awesome! ha
Enjoy the rest of the summer and see you soon!
Warmly,
Joey Fortman
http://www.RealMomMedia.com