Comments on: What should a first timer know about blog world?

By: Blogworld | Wright Creativity

Blogworld | Wright Creativity — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 18:47:38 +0000

[...] year, I wanted to go to Blogworld so badly, but just couldn’t figure out the logistics of getting there or how to afford the weekend of [...]

By: Kirsten Wright

Kirsten Wright — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:28:01 +0000

Thanks so much to everyone for your thoughts on Blogworld! I will be making my final decision for how long I am there soon, but I am for sure going to be there. I will *hopefully* be able to do the entire event…

…for those of you who are going to be there, I would love to meet up and actually get to say hello!
.-= Kirsten Wright´s last blog ..The most important writing rule =-.

By: jenn selke

jenn selke — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:04:51 +0000

I have to say Blog World New Media Expo was definitely worth it last year. I went to both. The connections to people were what really made the event. I also like the Hilton – easy to walk the skyway to the convention center. It is near the convention center and near that mono-rail type system.

You do have to make the list of conferences and events you want to attend during the year, prioritize, and see what makes the cut for value. Blog World is good value for me.

By: Angie A. Swartz

Angie A. Swartz — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:51:56 +0000

Hi Kristen,
Last year was the first year I attended BlogWorld and I hope to never miss another one. The experience has truly changed my life forever. I remember walking on the show room floor thinking, “Where have these people been all my life? These are my people.” I’ve met so many great friends and business contacts because of going to the conference last year that I can’t imagine missing it. Blog World Expo is the conference that I schedule everything else around during the year. The speakers, the parties and the networking are all top notch. It will be hard to choose between sessions. Last year was the first time I’d experienced a conference where I wasn’t bored for one minute. All the speakers and attendees were very accessible and all very willing to talk to you and help with anything you wanted to learn. As for bringing your husband, unlike some of the other commenters, I might recommend leaving him at home and saving your money for a nice romantic weekend together. There’s so much you can do to learn, learn, learn and connect with others without him, why risk bringing him and spending the money on something you aren’t sure he’ll like. You will be sure to be busy. Plus, if he isn’t with you, you’ll be more likely to connect with more folks and make new friends. As for staying off the strip, I’d stay at a BlogWorld hotel because there will always be people chatting in the lobby about some topic you are interested in. It will be one long saturated advanced study week! Oh, and buy the full package too! Hope to see you and meet you there! You won’t regret going—I’ll bet my Twitter account on it! @aaswartz on Twitter and Host of TwitterTalkRadio!
Warmly,
Angie
.-= Angie A. Swartz´s last blog ..Gravity Summit Brings Britney Spears, Square Martini Media, Intuit, Cisco Systems, and LinkedIn Together =-.

By: Lucretia Pruitt

Lucretia Pruitt — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:46:05 +0000

Kristen:

I get your confusion! BlogWorld Expo is definitely worth the investment in your career. Especially this year! There will be even more tracks to choose from and even more speakers that be there sharing knowledge that they usually charge clients a lot more money for!

The best part of BWE though is that there is no “best part” — some conferences are all about the daytime scheduling but leave much to be desired when it comes to socializing, while others are the reverse. BWE is strong on all fronts. In fact, you will not be able to fit it all in! (Trust me, I overscheduled myself last year and found that I need to leave a lot of wiggle room in my plans this year!)

I know that budget is always a concern when you’re working for yourself — but if you’re taking the trouble to go? Don’t miss the panels.

As for dragging a spouse along? Well if you’re going to have to go along on something you’re not that interested in, Las Vegas is a great place to do that! There’s a lot to do there even if you don’t gamble.

I’m with Rick though – go for the Hilton – at $69/nt it’s really reasonable and it’s a nice hotel. Plus (and for me the most important part) it’s on the monorail line – so it’s just one stop away from the convention center (trust me – that’s such a bonus when it’s hot – and it is) and makes it really easy to get down to the strip for nighttime stuff!

I’ll be staying there again this year for sure!!

If there’s anything I can do to help answer questions for you? Just let me know – I wouldn’t miss BWE for anything. Even though I live in Denver, I consider it my ‘home show’ – because it’s just so much fun but it’s also full of information!!
.-= Lucretia Pruitt´s last blog ..My New Gig =-.

By: Anita Cohen-Williams

Anita Cohen-Williams — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:45:22 +0000

I have been attending BlogWorld Expo since the first one, and it is a blast. I am in the same position as you, so this will be the only major conference I will attend.

Thursday is very much worth it, not only for the speakers, but for the networking and learning that goes on. The exhibit hall is incredible and with the New Media Expo there as well, it will be even more so. Tweet me at @searchguru for more info.

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By: Jon Buscall

Jon Buscall — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:42:48 +0000

I understand your dilemma, Kristen. I’ve been trying to figure out whether I can afford this event as it looks great.

From my own experience I find that conferences lead to lots of ideas, connections and, yes, work.

Although I haven’t been to this event before I will say from attending Nordic conferences is that it can be useful not to come too late. Very quickly people hook up into cliques and then it can be hard to get talking. So I’d get there relatively early.

But I don’t think you need to hang out forever. Conference overload sets in and people often get fatigued and don’t really engage after the initial kick off.

If time and money are limited, try and identify the most significant 2 days for you. I think you could achieve a lot in that time if you go in with a great strategy and knowing who you might want to talk to.

Good luck!
.-= Jon Buscall´s last blog ..How Not to Pitch for Work =-.

By: Rick Calvert

Rick Calvert — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:04:39 +0000

Thank you for the great post and questions Kristen. Let me try and answer what I can.

The event starts Thursday morning at 8:45 am with a keynote presentation (TBD) Last year we had Dave Taylor from AskDaveTaylor.com Yes Thursday is definitely worth it and yes there is lots of time to network, particularly during the breaks and at the keynotes. We will have three that day; Morning, lunch and closing. And if you are in to medlbogging,milblogging, sports blogging, real estate blogging, and a couple other communities to be announced it will be well worth it. Our hotels are so cheap this year it just makes sense to stay at the Hilton $69 (my first choice most folks will be there), the Courtyard $79 with free internet, or the renaissance $109 and shortest walk to the show. I am talking to a friend at Mandalay Bay about getting a small block there as well.

I really hope some other folks who have attended come and comment but our parties are pretty darn good and I think your hubby will have a good time.
Blog on!
Rick Calvert
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