Blogher’11 was as magical as everyone spoke about it. It was so much fun and so tiring. As i posted previously, I was nervous to meet all these new faces along with having to deal with leaving my little family behind for the first time. I soon came to realize what i was being part of could change my blogging views forever.
Thursday-8.4.11. –– was the 1st day of blogher. Though i did not go to pathfinders I did schedule lots of things to do. Including a McD’s Latina Tweet-up. Can I just say this was a blessing because I was so scared of meeting people and being to shy. Here I made friends fast everyone was so open and excited to meet eachother. Thanks to Mcdonalds for the great food.
I also went to registration after since the Expo was soon to be open from 6-9pm.
Tip #1 ALWAYS carry your badge even if its a non conference day. It will save you a long walk back to your hotel room to get it.
I made friends with Monique from @curvesandchaos (shes amazing btw and super down to earth) and we hit up the expo. I think it’s safe to say I got most of my swag that day. It was seriously overwhelming. I tried not to take things I didn’t need but brands are pretty clear on what they want you to take lol and they will put them into your bags of course in a nice wayor hand you a bag. Most brands are so nice you really don’t want to say no.
I also attended the people’s party where i got to meet @ergeekgoddess @anarc @nachosmama and @evasmith I soon called it an early one because i knew the next day would be crazy.
Highlights: I met the pine-sol lady, scrubbie, and smurffet.
Friday-8.5.11.-– Day 2 of blogher! This had to be the busiest day for me. I was everywhere or at least it felt that way. I attended Newbie breakfast and Xenia @textdrivebys my newest Amiga found me we hung out most of that day.
We attended The Writing Brain Session : Essentials Writing & Editing skills. I really wish i would have stayed longer The ladies on the panel were so funny and so informative. They showed writing samples with tags that read “don’t be like this guy” so funny!
I had to leave early to attend McDonald’s VIP Luncheon with McD’s USA President Jan Fields and Senior Director of Nutrition Cindy Goody. More on McDonald’s tomorrow including a giveaway! Stay tuned!!!
After lunch i headed back to the Expo for a bit and called it an early one back to my room.
Tip #2 Excuse yourself from the madness at some point and take a nap. If you know you have a long night ahead of time this is a good idea. Plus my phone was on its last 10% and my handy wireless charger was not being nice
Tip#3 Carry at least 2 chargers for phones, cameras, and tablets. Chances are you will need them both! I learned the hard way.
Highlights: Chatting with Mcdonald’s president, DrScholl’s foot massage, Mr P from Pringles he was inflatable whattt!? so much fun!
Later that night I volunteered to help at Kick Off Your Heels. Migdalia @mslatina and Carolyn @carogonza are two latinas I have been following on twitter for quite sometime now needless to say they have been great role models for me. I knew i wanted to be a part of this event so volunteered I did. They are amazing women. Latinas supporting Latinas!
Here I met with other latinas from the tweet up like Davina from @dancinghotdog Lilian @superbaratisimo @mamacontemporanea Brenda from @mejoramihogar and not pictured Patty from @nycpatty maria @lachicagamer Such awesome ladies! And of course the duo that volunteered as well my bay area amigas @heatherhal and @Lunaraven13 thanks girls for making my night super amazingly fun!
I called it a night after KOYH even though I really wanted to go to Sparklecorn I just couldn’t get myself to walk back to the hotel. I had my arrival taken care of since Dodge was sponsoring KOYH and had complimentary rides back to hotel for guest. I opt for bed and sleep instead. I think this is a sign i’m not only a momma i’m old too!!! 🙁 KOYH was amazing so i knew i had, had enough fun for the night.
Saturday-8.6.11.-–Day 3 the last day of blogher
From breakfast I hit the expo with @soysandrini and i met the fabulous @happyquid (my life will never be the same after i met this chica shes too cool for school) We attended Session : “Video Blogging &U”– Yes ya’ll i think i may look into vlogs, thoughts?
After that was Lunch again with the girls and from their sponsor lounges where Hallmark had the coolest activity. You got to send someone a hallmark card either via mail or by tweet(you physically write out a card and then they put it in a pretend mailbox slot tweet the person to go to hallmark lounge room and boom card is received. Amazing! I sent one to the hubs via mail and he got it just yesterday. He was quite surprised and loved it. Thanks Hallmark!
I then attended yet another session “When diversity is simply good Business” This is the one session I didn’t want to miss. Ana flores from @spanglishbaby was on the panel along with Tracey from @onebrowngirl and 2 other lovely ladies who i totally forgot their names, my apologies. This session gave me great insight on what to expect and how to react or not react to when dealing with brands. I basically need to learn my worth before i’m eaten alive or not even given a chance.
Tip #4 Bring your laptop, net-book, or tablet to sessions. Paper and pen only work if you remember where you put them. You are bound to lose them like I did. I’m glad i remembered my net-book for this session.
After session i skipped out on all the closings and keynote speakers. I was tired and I skipped back to my room to rest, snack and, get ready for the Social Fiesta and cheeseburgHER!!! But not before heading back to the expo to get my lovely glammy lashes from skinny cow. I wanted to have these long lavish lashes for the parties.
Highlights: Diversity Session of course! I met Ronald McDonald, swiffer dust and sat on a huge Toilet from Charmin 🙂
Social Fiesta was super fun! I met up with my amigas and even made new ones. I finally met @misslulublogs and her lovely mom who directs foreign language programs. Definitely something i’ll share in a later post. Also @soysandrini introduced me to a lovely blackxican amiga who introduced me to the term “bla-tina” Ms. Ashley from @ashleyusa she is too much fun and can’t wait to interview her for GUB like US, stay tuned for that also.
Below are some of the fun photos we took at different party Photo booths.
And here is the long awaited pics of all the BLOGHER’11 SWAG.
I really did get toilet paper from Charmin which @happysquid and I dragged back to my room all thru the Gaslamp district. P&G was closing down expo booth and were getting rid of their displays including the toilet paper they gave me. We tried to have pedicabs trade a ride back to the room for toilet paper but it didnt work heehee!
Sorry I don’t have a more detailed picture of
my swag I can tell you my favorites were DrScholl’s heel inserts and roll up flats. My kids loved Sprout’s Chica puppet and Hexbugs. However we got tons of cool new stuff to try and try we will.
Overall Blogher’11 was a blast. I learned and met a lot of wonderful people.
My last two tips would be Tip #5 Always carry your business card you never know who you will run into don’t be caught without it. & Tip #6 Have fun be yourself and enjoy every second!
See you next year at BLOGHER’12!!!
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