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SPONSORED LISTINGS
The Unofficial Guide To BlogHer '09
- by freeandflawed
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- July 08, 2009
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BlogHer is right around the corner! Whether you're a first-time attendee or a repeat offender, this guide has something for you: packing tips, live-blogging examples and a FULL list of parties and networking events before and during BlogHer. Check back regularly as this guide will be updated with more info as we get closer to the conference.
BlogHer '09 In Real Life
This year BlogHer is in my home city, Chicago (woo hoo!) I attended my first BlogHer conference last summer in San Francisco. It was an amazing experience. I met a lot of unbelievable and inspirational bloggers, learned valuable blogging tips and had an incredible amount of fun. If you had the chance to attend this year, I hope you took it!
Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers
301 East North Water Street, Chicago, IL 60611
BlogHer will take place at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. If you haven’t been to BlogHer before, there will be posters/flyers around the lobby so you know where to go. You can also check with the attendants at the check-in desk.
BlogHer attendees were lucky enough to score an awesome room rate of $199 a night – that includes free Wi-Fi!
BlogHer will take place at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. If you haven’t been to BlogHer before, there will be posters/flyers around the lobby so you know where to go. You can also check with the attendants at the check-in desk.
BlogHer attendees were lucky enough to score an awesome room rate of $199 a night – that includes free Wi-Fi!
LobbyCon
BlogHer has been selling out for the last few years, but this year is rumored to be their biggest year yet! After so many people wishing they could attend, BlogHer introduced LobbyCon. At LobbyCon you’ll have:
1) Access to the Chi Bar at the Sheraton, where they will be live-streaming of all four general sessions, including the Community Keynote.
2) Access to the Expo floor, and the 40 sponsors on that floor (and their swag)
3) Access to both official BlogHer cocktail parties.
Why Go?
BlogHer is about creating opportunities for women who blog to pursue exposure, education, community, and economic empowerment. It’s an amazing weekend full of opportunities to meet other like-minded bloggers and learn from their experience.
It’s supposed to be fun, so don’t fret if you’re new to blogging. There’s something for everyone!
Before You Go
Find other BlogHer attendees in your area
BlogHer has created groups for various cities so you can find other BlogHer writers or attendees. This helps if it’s your first time there because you’ll know a couple people right at the beginning. It’s also great if you attended last year and want to keep in touch with the fabulous ladies you met.
Some of the awesome bloggers from last year’s BlogHer: (L-R) @katelin, @bayjb, @teresa10, @freeandflawed, and @jamielovely
Oz Park
2021 N Burling St., Chicago, IL 60614-4416
This year the Chicago BlogHer group is having a pre-BlogHer meetup. It will take place at 2 p.m. June 14th at Oz Park. Even if you’re not attending the conference, still come out and introduce yourself. New faces are always welcome!
#BlogHer09
If you aren’t already, make sure you’re following BlogHer on Twitter. If you’re looking for more attendees, use the hashtag #BlogHer09 to see who’s talking about it.
Create a plan
BlogHer, while an incredible experience, can be completely overwhelming. There is a lot of activity stuffed into two days. Before you go, check out the list of speakers. Put together a list of who you just HAVE to see. Then check out BlogHer’s agenda and decide which sessions and break-out groups you want to attend. Some sessions overlap so you might have to split up your time. Doing this saves you a lot of time the day of. Trust me.
Whatever you do...
…DON’T MISS THE CLOSING KEYNOTES. Last year I missed the keynote on the first night and I really ended up regretting it. The first keynote features 20 bloggers selected by BlogHer to read one of their blog posts on a number of topics. From what I heard it was an incredibly touching experience. Don’t miss out!
Pack Smart
Don’t over-pack. Trust me you’re going to want the extra space.
If you’re worried about what to wear, don’t be. The conference is very casual. Last year I wore jeans and a nice top. I saw people dressing very comfortably as well as professionally. I’d dress up a tad for the cocktail parties though.
Most, if not everyone, brings their laptop. If you’re going to bring it, be sure to bring the power cord as well as an extra battery if you have one. Want to be the most loved blogger there? Bring an extension cord or power strip. Believe me it WILL come in handy.
Bring an extra bag
You’re going to be meeting a lot of sponsors who love bloggers. You will want to save space in your suitcase or bring an extra bag because you will be bringing a lot of swag home. Last year BlogHer had a Swag Recycle Room where you could drop off anything you wouldn’t use.
Tattoo Factory Inc
4441 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60640
The Tattoo Factory is giving all BlogHer attendees 20% off all tattoos and piercings over the weekend, from July 22nd to July 26th. They’ve arranged with the bar next door for BlogHers to receive one free drink with any work done, and anyone from BlogHer who shows up at the shop, work or not, gets $1 off drinks and $2 off appetizers on top of that, and a Tattoo Factory t-shirt on the house.
The Tattoo Factory is giving all BlogHer attendees 20% off all tattoos and piercings over the weekend, from July 22nd to July 26th. They’ve arranged with the bar next door for BlogHers to receive one free drink with any work done, and anyone from BlogHer who shows up at the shop, work or not, gets $1 off drinks and $2 off appetizers on top of that, and a Tattoo Factory t-shirt on the house.
I'll be there!
If you’re attending, let’s meet! Follow me on Twitter and let me know where I can find you.
If you’re unable to attend follow along as I’ll be tweeting and blogging my way through the conference.
Unable to attend?
Say hi to all of your friends at BlogHer with a video! Upload your video to BlogHer’s video page or check for other videos being uploaded from the conference.
Last year I volunteered to live blog a couple of sessions, including the keynote with Dooce and Stephanie Klein.
If you’re planning on live blogging, whether for your own blog or as a volunteer, you can see a couple examples on my blog.
Example 1: Coming Out via Blogging
Example 2: DIY Content Syndication & Promotion
Stay organized & stand out
I wish I had this last year. At times I would stash my bag and wander around a room with my laptop. Having this extra bit of help would have been great. You can fit a pen, notepad or some blogger/twitter/business cards in there.
Container Store the
908 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
That cute laptop organizer can be found at The Container Store for only $5.99. I bet it would be a great way to help your laptop stand out in a room full of bloggers, too!
That cute laptop organizer can be found at The Container Store for only $5.99. I bet it would be a great way to help your laptop stand out in a room full of bloggers, too!
Twitter/Blogger/Business Cards
When I first heard of blogger/twitter cards, I didn’t think I’d need them. At the last minute I had about 100 made and I’m so glad I did. It was so much easier swapping cards than writing down people’s twitter names and blog URLs.
Etsy
I had my Twitter cards made by a very creative artist on Etsy. It was a great experience. She was very fast and came up with some really cute cards. Check out the rest of the cute stuff in her store!
Look around and see what else you can find. A lot of people are adding business/blogger cards to their stores.
Personalized Cards
I made my blogger card at Design-her Gals. You can create an avatar, dress her up, customize her with your hair & eye color and even give her some accessories. They’re a tad on the expensive side, but they’re super adorable and you’ll definitely stand out.
Fedex Kinko's Office Print Center
700 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Get creative! If you’d rather design your own cards – will you design mine, too? You can either have Kinkos print them out, or if you have a printer, stop by your local Staples and buy a pack of business cards.
Get creative! If you’d rather design your own cards – will you design mine, too? You can either have Kinkos print them out, or if you have a printer, stop by your local Staples and buy a pack of business cards.
Party like a BlogStar!
The conference and sessions are amazing, but one of the best parts of BlogHer is the networking opportunities. There are a number of parties and networking events scheduled for that weekend. Plan accordingly :)
For an entire list of all the parties being held during BlogHer click here. I’ve highlighted a few of my favorites below. Let me know which ones you’re going to!
Chicago Webgrrls Networking Event
On July 22, http://webgrrls.com/chicago-il/ Webgrrls will host a event for an evening of networking and connecting. Please RSVP here. More info can be found here
Follow the Chicago Webgrrls on Twitter
The Creative Group
205 N Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60601
I heard this a pretty cool space. I’m going to try my best to attend the Webgrrls event just so I can check it out!
Hyatt Regency Chicago
151 E Wacker Drive,On The Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60601
The SocialLuxe party will be held from 3-8 p.m. on July 23 in the Penthouse of the Hyatt Regency. Make sure you’re on the list! RSVP here
I’ll be there so be sure to say hi!
The SocialLuxe party will be held from 3-8 p.m. on July 23 in the Penthouse of the Hyatt Regency. Make sure you’re on the list! RSVP here
I’ll be there so be sure to say hi!
The 3rd Annual People's Party
The People’s Party will be held on-site at the Sheraton in the Chicago X Ballroom on July 23 from 8:30-11 p.m. Meet some incredible bloggers, including The Bloggess, and network your little heart out!
Hotel Sax Chicago
333 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60610
Join the Queerosphere at the Sweet & OUT Loud Party at 8:30 p.m. July 24 at the Crimson Lounge. Make sure you RSVP here..
Join the Queerosphere at the Sweet & OUT Loud Party at 8:30 p.m. July 24 at the Crimson Lounge. Make sure you RSVP here..
BowlHer
The conference may be over, but we’re not ready to go home yet! Join some of the BlogHers for drinking, eating, bowling, chatting, dancing, and partying at the Lucky Strike Lanes. I think I’m most looking forward to this! There are still tickets available! Follow BowlHer on Twitter Hope to see you there!
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Cool
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Wow this looks great! You girls have fun! (ha, can’t say, “you guys have fun”…)
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This is a fantastic guide, Jenn! Thanks to the links for the bag and the organizer, they look sooo cute.
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