It has been 5 days since I came home from Blissdom Canada and I have still not written one recap post. It’s not that I haven’t tried. I have started many posts and they just didn’t do it. So much was learned and so much was covered that it is hard to sum it all up in perfect words. So instead I am writing this random thoughts on Blissdom Canada post. I will share with you what I learned just it is going to take time. May be next week or even next month, who really knows.
This picture of Cheryl and I was taken at the Mabel’s Labels party that was held on the Thursday night. The Mabel’s Labels party was a hit. As was every other party we attended. I wish I could share a picture from the Yummy Mummy Club party at Body Blitz Spa however we all agreed to ban cameras from the spa since we were all in bathing suits.
Cheryl was an awesome roommate even with being diagnose with Rheumatoid Arthritis the day before Blissdom Canada started. She was a real trooper with me dragging her around to at least make an appearance at all the parties. The night of the kick off party at Arta Gallery she wanted nothing more then to go to bed yet she managed to suck it up and come with me. I am glad she did as I would have stayed in the hotel room with her if she didn’t go. We didn’t stay long but we did stay long enough to meet a few people before leaving and heading back to the hotel to order in some amazing pizza. I wanted room service but there was none as the hotel was on strike. We won’t go there in this post.
If I have one tip to conference newbies it is go with a someone you know but also make sure to not be glued at the hip. I did love every minutes I spent with Cheryl but to not see us together was rare. On the 2nd day of the conference we did get brave and separate for the sessions and I think it was actually a great idea. Not only did we take notes for each other so we didn’t miss anything but it also gave us time with other people and forced us out of our comfort zone.
Scott Stratten, Mr. Un-Marketing himself kicked off the conference as the opening keynote speaker. He set the perfect tone for the entire conference and it was a pleasure to hear him speak. We all received a copy of his book UnMarketing: Stop Marketing. Start Engaging. and he was kind enough to stick around and sign them for us. He even left a little note in mine for Tobei.
The first session that we attended was Content I: If a Blog Falls in the Forest? How to get your blog to make a sound. I did learn a few things though I realized I should have went to Content II: Kicking It Up A Notch ~ How to be a Content Creating Ninja instead. Lucky for me I have already found some fabulous notes by other people on that session. We then attended Work/Life Balance: Peaceful Coexistence Between Life and Laptop, I joked in the session that I was only there to support Cheryl as I did not have a problem and did not need to be there. Main thing learned in that session that everyone can apply to their own lives “There is an off switch for a reason”. Too bad our kids didn’t have off switches. Like right now while I am writing this Little Man is supposed to be napping and he isn’t.
The next day we did split up and I attended Monetizing II: Cashing In with a Reality Cheque and Women Entrepreneurs & Canadian Business Basics ~ What the Blogging M.B.A. would be… if it existed. I haven’t received Cheryl’s notes from her sessions yet but hope to get them soon. She attended Monetizing I: Making Money From Blogging: Fiscal Fact or Fiction? and Blogging for Social Action, Community And Empowerment ~ The Beauty of the Butterfly Effect. From twitter and little conversations with other people I realized that the Blogging for Social Action was a very emotional and well worth attending session. I wish I was there. Instead I will read about it from others and know that it is one session that really spoke to Cheryl and that has pointed her in a wonderful direction for her blog and raising awareness for Cerebral Palsy.
I just realized how long this post is. I am sorry. I met so many wonderful people at Blissdom Canada that I would love to give a shout out too but I guess it will have to wait for another post. I have not forgotten any of you. There will be a post dedicated to the people of Blissdom Canada and each session will be getting a post of it’s own. Eventually I have so much on my plate and am very backlogged from being away for the conference.