Conference Review: Blog World 2011

I wish I could share with you that I am writing this post after three interactive and fun-filled day's at Blog World.  Instead, I'm writing this after only two days...

But two days were more than enough to get a learning explosion of probably one of the best, if not the best, blogger and social media conferences that I have attended to date.

Recognized as the first and only industry-wide, conference, trade show and media event, Blog World more than delivered on their premise.

I was pleasantly surprised.

Workshops aside, Guy Kawasaki and Chris Bogran's opening keynote and detailed overview about Google Plus, was insightful and full of take-away's that I was anxious to implement for the Latina Lifestyle Blogger Community.

And although I had to leave Peter Shankman's keynote address before it ended, I was there when he proudly exclaimed that in business, "if you have no haters you are doing something wrong."

This hush-worthy statement was the "a-ha" moment that validated the rocky road that I've walked to create the first (and only) Latina Lifestyle Blogger Community (#llblog).

With the goal of introducing everyone to #llblog, I walked the trade area, attended workshops, and had time to meet and mingle with some pretty smart folks before the conference started, during the break-out's and lunches.  

Some of the conference highlights, include:

• The diverse schedule of workshops, ranging from the business side of blogging, to the more technical aspect of social media.  Unfortunately, it was hard to pick one from the more than five scheduled at the same time slot.
• The trade area of the conference was seemingly small and not the usual sample-grab-and-go that BlogHer is largely known for.  This was a welcome opportunity to someone like myself that was looking to learn and connect, not collect swag.
• The parties, unlike some at BlogHer, were open to everyone with a full conference pass.  I was also surprised, that the clicky "I am invited, but you are not," hallway chatter that happens at most Mom Blogger Conferences didn't happen at BlogWorld. 
• The attendees ranged from techie geeks, to mompreneurs.  From social media superstars, to newbies anxious to enter the new media space.  But as we all know, there's always room for improvement. Especially when it comes to showcasing ethnic social media growth opportunities; and the diverse range of bloggers. (Feedback to the organizers on its way!)
• The organizers, were bar non, professional and open to suggestions.  I was impressed to receive an almost immediate response to my Facebook commentary about their Latino celebrity choice. (p.s. it wasn't a complaint!).

To my conference side-kick who together with her former boss made it possible for me to be there,  the conference organizers, speakers, workshop presenters and everyone else that made this event possible, THANK YOU.