I finally get it!

I was beginning to think that there was something wrong with me.

Everyone was always talking about the relationships they developed when they attended blogging conferences. I had attended BlogHer last year and, while I had a great time, didn't come home feeling like I had really connected with that many people. It was SO busy and there were SO many people - it was just hard to really get to know the other women in any kind of depth. I just didn't get it.

.

Now I do.

.

I spent this past weekend at Gleek Retreat in Western Michigan. It was amazing. Thirty-something bloggers (and a few PR and media people thrown in for good measure) hanging out in the woods, having conversations about blogging.

.

There was no posturing, no A-listers in an exclusive group in the corner, no private parties that only some bloggers were invited to. Just good honest conversation where everyone had a voice and people strived to give helpful information that could move each blogger forward from where they were when they arrived.

.

I am pretty sure I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to each person there at one point or another. And I liked each and every one of them.

.

So thank you Stacey and Jodi! The hard work you put into lining up all those amazing speakers and sponsors and creating a space where everyone could grow as bloggers was a roaring success.

.

Now I get it.