Another BlogHer has come and gone, and it is time for BlogHer 11 – the good, the bad and the ugly!
The Good:
I met some of my favorite reps! Allie from Fanscape was so sweet and she made sure we met up! She is a doll and I so enjoyed talking to her at the recharging station. Victoria Taylor (@Happysquid). Who doesn’t love her? I mean really. Victoria is infectious (in a good way) and her smile makes my day. Sean from New Media Strategies – I have worked with him several times, yet have never met him. What a nice guy! Harrison (Tempur-pedic) – is hilarious. His beds are pretty awesome too, and they are exceptionally inviting at BlogHer.
I spent quality time with my buddy and “partner-in-crime”, Erin (Slice o’ Heaven)! She is my buddy and we talk on Skype daily. I have met her previously, but this was our chance to really hang out and enjoy each other. More about Erin in a separate post 🙂
I ran into some bloggers/friends that I haven’t met before but have always wanted to! Some new folks I got to meet were Shannon (The Mommy Files) – she was wearing a big, huge grin. Just as I expected! I met Merry (Merry with Children – one of my contributors, and I didn’t even recognize her…how dumb I felt!). Did I mention how gorgeous she is? She is stunning. Annie (Mama Dweeb) and Lucy! Annie is just how I expected her to be – so sweet and bubbly. I would have loved to spend more time with her. Jamaise (Wishing Penny) and her adorable daughter. Stacie (Simply Stacie) – love her! We ran into each other several times. She is really easy going and fun. There are many others too, but I will be doing a more in depth post about this.
I was able to see other blogger friends that I have met before. I ran into Stephanie (The Daily Blarg) and Tina (Mad Hatter Mom). These two are quite comical and I always wish I had a Depends handy when I am around them. Chrysa (Thrify Jinxy) is so sweet, and I was so happy to spend some time with her. She is so easy going and genuine. Liz (A Nut in a Nutshell) – the “planking girl” in the flesh. She is a riot and I adore her more than ever. I wish I had more time with her though. Valerie (Sweeps4Bloggers) and Rita (One 2 Try) were so much fun and we did quite a few things together. There are many, many more!
I lost a little weight! I always expect to gain weight at BlogHer, but the truth is, I am so busy that I either forget to eat, or I simply don’t have the time to eat. It sure isn’t for lack of goodies everywhere you look!
The Hotel and Convention Center – it was a really nice setup this year, and I liked having the conference and hotel separate (but together, if that makes sense). It felt so much less crowded than last year and I could actually breathe.
San Diego! The weather was gorgeous and the area was beautiful. I think it was the perfect location for an event of this magnitude (and a bunch of wild women).
Well organized parties and swag pick-up. I realize how difficult it must be to arrange these, and just want to give a big shout out to those who made it easy for bloggers. Thank you!
Everything (mostly) was in walking distance. Actually everything was if my feet weren’t so sore. I really loved how closely located the events were.
Free internet in rooms – thank you Marriott! Us bloggers definitely need that! I actually wasn’t online very much, but it was nice not to have to worry about extra charges for internet.
The Bad:
- I am exhausted
- My feet hate me with a passion.
- I am REALLY exhausted.
- My buddies from last year weren’t at BlogHer this year 🙁 Sky, Andrea, Christine, and Casey – I missed you girls terribly.
- Oh.My.God. I am exhausted.
- Blisters on my feet.
- I didn’t get to meet Craig Kessler, the Eucerin rep. I am a Eucerin Skin First Ambassador, yet I somehow never made it to the Eucerin booth. How does that happen? Oh right – BlogHer brain. I did hear from a few of the ladies that he is quite handsome 🙂
- Poorly organized parties and swag pick-ups.
- Did I mention how tired I am? Yeah – really am.
- My feet and ankles are extremely swollen.
The Ugly:
Pedicabs. If you ever have a chance to ride in one of these – don’t. It’s a long story, but most of them are crooks. Serious crooks. They are everywhere, just waiting to scam you. They are also dangerous. I heard that there was a woman killed in a pedicab accident in San Diego, when it turned a corner too quickly and she fell out and hit her head. The pedicab drivers pretty much think they own the road (from what I witnessed). I did ride in one before I realized how shady and dangerous they are, but I never will again.
Crossing the street. The long, long trains that have to pass by before you can cross the street. Seriously long.
The Hard Rock Hotel (not the beautiful suite where the “Chocolate, Champagne and Lunch” by Shop at Home was hosted – that was wonderful). But the hotel itself is pretty disgusting. My husband took my daughter there for lunch one day and there was actually a needle exchange in the bathroom. Another friend (who was staying there), mentioned that there were beds in the pool area and when she looked down one night, there were two couples “getting busy” on them. Someone also said there was a naked man standing in a window. The hallways are dark and cold and I was really surprised at the whole thing. It just reeked “sleazy”.
Pickpocketing at the expo. Really? Yes! I believe there were 15 wallets stolen and security was trying to track down the man who was doing this. I guess this was a prime location, as purses were open and/or attendees were distracted. How horrible for this to happen. Imagine how hard it was to get through security at the airport without an ID?
And that, my friends, is BlogHer in a nutshell. Okay, there is really much more, but as I mentioned above, I am beat. Stay tuned for more posts!
31 Responses
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I have yet to attend a blog conference (and I’ve been blogging for 4 years!) and I can’t wait to see what it’s all about.
You definitely deserve to take it easy :->
Hopefully you will be able to go soon…they are really fun. I am SO taking it easy today!
Thanks, Jennifer. I was so glad that we got to spend some time together this year too. Fun/nice bloggers like you are a big part of why BlogHer can be such an awesome time!
Ohhh, that is horrible about the pickpocket. I hope they ended up catching the guy.
Glad you had fun.
Great post, you summed it up well! You’re right about the Pedicabs – Kate (The Shopping Mama) and I got scammed with one too.
You did? Did they tell you they were smurfs? We were livid!
Awww, thank you Jennifer! Right back ‘atcha! So glad I got to meet up with you – you’re so sweet! Totally feel you on the foot pain – even my most comfortable shoes were NOT comfortable. Couldn’t even bear to wear my usual heels/wedges today. =) So great to meet you and hope to see you again soon!!
Sounds like an amazing time overall. I’m glad you enjoyed your time with Erin and the other bloggers you were able to meet. 🙂 Poo-poo on the pickpocket man. Shame on him!
What was the best item you received swag-wise?
That is a good question! There are so many things (and I’ll be posting about them of course). I am loving the travel pillow from Tempur-Pedic quite a bit!
I’m not positive yet Nolie. At the moment I’m thinking no, but that is subject to change. Give me a couple of months when I am rested 🙂
Sooooo much fun to hang out with you! You are wonderful to chat with online, but it’s so much better to be having fun together in person 🙂
Will be sending you pictures soon.
And yeah…. my swollen feet and ankles are aching….
*phew*
I’m really glad that I was able to go this year. It was an experience, to say the least! But by far the best part was meeting everyone and having time to hang out with you and your family. Thanks for making my first BlogHer trip memorable and fun!!
Oh it sounds like SO much fun! but I am thinking exHAUSTING! I dont know WHY that word just sticks in my head. Subliminal? LOL! I follow some of these bloggers you mentioned and just being a reader you can get a pretty good idea of personality, and some sure do have personality PLUS! Next year I heard was on NY. Are you going?
Totally exhausting. Still exhausted. (and yes, it’s probably my subliminal message lol).
Having never been to BlogHer, I always love hearing about it from those who attend. Sounds like you had a great trip. Someday I really hope to get the chance to go.
Thanks for all the tips Jennifer. I feel so bad for the gals who lost their wallets. Yikes the hotel did not sound safe either. I would like to go next year so your info was valuable to me.
I’m so glad it helped! The hotel was pretty safe (at least as far as I know)…and the expo “seemed” safe. It was such a shame that someone would do that 🙁
It was so nice to finally meet you in person!! I can’t wait for next year. I’m definitely going- it was well worth every single penny.
I hear you on the feet. Mine are pretty sad looking- blisters, sores and swollen ankles!
Yep – that’s exactly what mine look like! I enjoyed meeting you so much – you were just so down to earth.
Rest those feet 🙂
LOVED meeting you too!! Yes, I heard about the pitpockets. I kept all my stuff super close to me because of that. It was NUTS though.
I too am super duper freaking tired. I want to write more but my kids are needing me….maybe tonight? I’ll be back Jennifer!
I am STILL exhausted too! It really takes awhile to recuperate. I just adore you (and Lucy of course!)
It sounds like you had a great time! Thanks for sharing all of your stories and I can’t wait to see the rest!
I’m hoping to go next year! It will be my first one!!
I’ve never been to BlogHer but so hoping I can go next year. I enjoyed reading your post and getting and idea of what it was like.
Thanks! I hope you are able to go too. It’s a whirlwind, but so much fun…
Wow, what a whirlwind O.o
Even though you’re exhausted, I bet it was well worth every bit of it 🙂
It really was 🙂
After hearing all the buzz about BlogHer for 2 years in a row now, I’d love to go next year to take my blog to the next level. It sounds like you were quite busy!
It’s too bad about the wallets getting stolen, it really puts a negative spin on the event this year.
Glad you had fun. Not glad about the pick-pocketing – seriously scary. Not glad I wasn’t included in the friends who you missed that didn’t attend this year. That is okay though. I missed you. 🙂
NYC next year? Maybe we need to travel across the continent to see each other even though we live in the same state? 🙂
LOL so silly, right? We live pretty close, really. We need to think of something good to do, before Blogher 12!
Wow what an experience! I like that you touched on the bad things because I’m always really curious. Sounds crazy! I can imagine how pickpocketers see this huge group of people and get dollar signs in their eyes. Besides the bad I hope you had a great time there!