Meeting up with bloggers in Chicago

Name tags are an important component of meetups. The blogger bringing the name tags at my first one was, of course, the last one to arrive. By then we knew each other, but we still wore them regardless.

It does help having both your real name (or pseudonym) and the blog you write on your name tag. Alternately, if you’re attending a tweetup, your Twitter name would be appropriate.

Obviously bloggers like to go out and have a good time, and that’s fine. What’s not fine is turning into a complete lush. First impressions do matter, even in the Blogosphere. It seems that many blogger meetups take place in a bar. Or maybe that’s just the Chicago bloggers…

A blogger who wrote a guest post for me about meetups asked, “Would you go to a business meeting drunk?” Some might say yes, and I’d have to reply with “seek help.” Sure it might make for some interesting blog fodder for the other meetup goers, but don’t be THAT guy or THAT girl who’s an utter hot mess.

If you want to plan a healthier event for your blogger friends, why not get a group together and participating in one of Chicago’s many walks, runs and races?!

Nom, nom, nom

My First Time

I went to my first blogger meet-up in February 2008. I was so nervous. I’d been following this group of Chicago bloggers online for about 3-4 months, but I’d never met them, talked to them on the phone – hell, I don’t think I even IM’ed them. After texting the organizer to find out where they were, I felt slightly better. At least I wouldn’t be wandering around the bar looking for a group of uncomfortable/nervous people.

I get to the table, relieved, only to realize that I don’t know any of them. Do they know who I am? Oh my god am I that weird girl who sits down at tables full of strangers?! Well as it turns out, yes and no. I was at the right table, but I still didn’t “know” anyone.

Be sure to get a phone number for at least two of the people who are going. If it’s your first time, you’ll be able to contact someone to find out their exact location. And if blogger #1 doesn’t answer, at least you have a backup.

I happened to be someone’s blogger #1 once. She called while I was unable to answer. She didn’t know what anyone looked like and ended up sitting at the bar for about an hour until she recognized the group. I felt so bad, but it turned out to be a great night.

Avoid gossiping about other bloggers. This great piece of advice because you never know who reads who. Be especially careful what you say because it just might end up being tweeted or blogged about.

20-Something Blogger Meetup

Over a beautiful summer weekend in June of this year, trend-setting bloggers from all over the country will descend upon Chicago for the 20 Something Bloggers Annual Meetup. It’s a unique “casual conference” from The Bloggers With The Most To Say, the weekend will bring together people who spend hours together sharing their lives and pushing the envelope in self-publishing.

This is the first year for the 20SB meetup and it just so happens that I’m on the planning committee. That fact talked you into going right? I hear a rumor that you might be able to get your hands on some awesome Guidespot swag as well. I’m just saying… Who doesn’t like free stuff?

BlogHer 2009 In Real Life

It will be held at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers on July 23-25. Stay tuned for a guide devoted to surviving a weekend at BlogHer!

Every once in a while a blogger gets asked to do cool things like host a Nintendo Girlfriend’s Guide to Gaming Party for all of her female blogger friends!

Concerts

If you’re going to be there and your blogger friends are going to be there, why not make a meetup out of it?