9 Things I Learned at BlogHer ’10

It is hard to believe that 2 weeks ago today I was still running around the BlogHer Conference in New York City. I was visiting sessions on monetization, photography, pitching and writing. I was visiting with friends, both old and new, in hallways, elevators, in hotel suites and parties. I was running the streets going from event to event. I was learning. I was growing. I was pushing myself far out of my comfort zones. I was having amazing conversation and soaking up all the blogging, creative and personal motivation and inspiration I could find. Quite simply I was finding my place. A place where I feel connected and comfortable.

It is interesting that traveling across the country brought me to a place where I feel like I fit.

There is just too much to cover to tell you about everything but I would like to tell you about a few things that I learned amidst the wonderful craziness of Blogher’10.

I learned that it is 100% possible to meet someone and before the end of the night feel like you have made a friend. BlogHer also helped solidify my belief that not only are online friends are real, they are truly awesome.

Andrea, Erin, and Me (photo by Sue, Motherhood and Me)

I learned that New York City is unlike any city I have ever visited.

I learned that even while in the midst of the hectic pace of a conference such as BlogHer a few minutes of pampering goes a long way to calm my heart rate.

Impromptu hair session with Remmington at Getting Gorgeous.

Sue and Me in our Miracle Body Jeans, with Robert Verdi (!!!) (Photo from Sue, Motherhood and Me)

I learned that there are brands out there that are genuinely interested in working with and learning from the mom bloggers, women bloggers and bloggers in general. My wonderful dinner with Samsung was a testament to this. Thank you Samsung for welcoming us out-of-towners in such a fabulous and tasty way and for setting up the venue for some of the best conversation I had while attending BlogHer ’10.

On of the amazing courses of food from dinner at Per Se with Samsung.

I learned that not only are cupcakes popular in my brain, they are also quite popular to every PR person in New York. I think 90% of what I ate Friday was in the form of a cupcake or champagne. I’m not complaining. It was a joyous treat. As was all the cake and cookies. Maybe next year someone will break the mold and have some chicken or a banana so I can balance out all of the delicious treats.

The famous Sparklecorn unicorn cake, made by Charm City Cakes. Duff and crew FTW!

I learned that there are so many personalities in the blogosphere and it is possible for us all to coexist happily, even when so many of us are under one roof. So many beautiful people with beautiful ideas and opinions. I feel so lucky to be a part of it.

A diverse group of bloggers letting lose and dancing the night away at Sparklecorn. Beautiful chaos.

I learned that when 2,400 bloggers come together the inspiration abounds. The opening keynote was beautiful and moving and funny. I left BlogHer feeling exhilarated, even more in love with blogging and my fellow bloggers and with more ideas than my brain could keep track of. In the 9 days since BlogHer I am still exhilarated, in love with blogging and my fellow bloggers. The ideas and possibilities are still swirling around my head and I’m still working to put all the right pieces to all the different puzzles together.

Sue, Me, and Andrea at Getting Gorgeous (photo by Andrea, Lil Kid Things)

I learned that parties are great. Some people play up their importance and some people play down their importance but the parties, lunches, dinners and such were where I felt like I connected with individuals the most. The sessions didn’t leave a lot of room for talking to your neighbors and connecting. I met amazing women at parties, some I knew from before some I knew from online, some I had heard of and some I had not. I made friendships at these private events. My experience at BlogHer would not have been as valuable without these moments with other bloggers. Sure they were sponsored and not everyone could attend or was invited but it made it so that instead of being overwhelmed in a sea of 2,400 bloggers I was able feel brave in a smaller crowd and have conversations and lots of laughs. Don’t get me wrong there were several times that I connected with someone on the elevator, in a hallway, at the hotel bar or at the breakfast or lunch table but, with everyone always on their way somewhere the parties were the place that I met friends.

Andrea and Me at Aiming Low's EZPZ party.

Andrea, Erin and Me at CheeseburgHer. (Photo by Andrea, Lil Kid Things)

Suzanne, Sue, Erin, Andrea and Me in the photo booth at CheeseburgHer.

I learned, or rather was reminded that I can be outgoing. It is completely in my power to meet people, have conversations and enjoy life.

I feel like I have shared to much, but I feel like I have barely touched on the fun I had. BlogHer ’10 was something that even after 2 weeks I just can’t seem to fully wrap my brain around. Hopefully I’ll begin to figure it out more at BlogHer ’11 in San Diego. Hopefully.