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Reflections on BlogHer 07

by Mary Jo Manzanares on July 30th, 2007

I’m back from Chicago and BlogHer 07, my first blogging/blog-related conference.  I tried to post about some of the non-conference things that we did in Chicago (and you’ll see a few more of those posts over the next few weeks), but I’m also trying to take stock of how I feel about the whole conference experience.

BlogHer, while open to everyone, is primarily a group for women bloggers.  And since we come in all shapes, sizes, varying interests and backgrounds, the conference program tried to reflect the interests of a diverse group of attendees.  While there will be debate about whether it met the needs of attendees, I can wholeheartedly say that I am glad that I went.

Here are a few of my thoughts:

• It was the first time I’ve been to this type of event, and I didn’t know what to expect.  I was pretty spot on, though, about how it would be.
• There were lots of discussions (both in the break out sessions, and in one-on-one networking) that were well above my knowledge level, but I also found that many times I had enough knowledge to add to other conversations.
• It was fun to put names and faces to blogs, and I loved meeting the other b5media bloggers that were there:  CJ from eBeauty Daily, Arieanna from Lohan Groupie (among others), both of whom are also channel editors, Elizabeth from Gen Between, Liz from Successful Blog, Leora from Desperate Blog (among others), and Kelly from Tax Girl.
• It was also fun to meet the bloggers that I’ve been reading for some time now, including Sheila at Family Travel, Jory at Pause, and Christine from Christine Kane’s Blog.
• And, of course, it’s great to meet new people, blogging on a wide variety of topics.  Here’s a few I’ll be checking out over the next few days:  Eggbeater, AAG Blog, Simply Recipes, and Jurgen Nation.
• You get out of a conference what you’re willing to put into it.  Sometimes what you get out of it is the networking and friendships that spring up outside of the actual conference room.
• Sometimes when people speak of “inclusivity” in the blogging world, they deep down mean “inclusivity” of people who are just like them, not necessarily those with contrary opinions, backgrounds, skill levels, and/or beliefs.  This occurs even at BlogHer.
• I LOVE pina coladas.  If you were at the event, you’ll know what that means.

If you’ve been wondering if a blogging conference is for you — give it a try.  There are lots of conferences, unconferences, workshops, and meetups around the country, catering to a variety of different audiences, subject matter, and skill level.

Give it a try!  I’m glad that I did.

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