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.
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Now I do.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Now I get it.
Lovely! So glad you could make it and I can’t wait to chat with you more 🙂
It was a nice conference. Perfect size and a great group. I really enjoyed meeting you there.
It was my first conference, but before I went I kept wondering how people made all these “connections” too. It was so fun to hang out with you, the Autumn Room rocks 🙂
It was my first conference, but before I went I kept wondering how people made all these “connections” too. It was so fun to hang out with you, the Autumn Room rocks 🙂
It was great! I’m sad that I had to miss the 2nd day, but the first day was awesome!! I look forward to reading everyone’s posts. 🙂
Yay! It warms my heart to know that you left feeling like you made some great connections with people! That was one of our goals as Jodi and I planned Gleek Retreat. We wanted to create an atmosphere of comfort and friendship. I’m glad we succeeded in that! And it was so great to meet you!!!
It was so good to meet you! I totally agree about the difference between BlogHer and Gleek – there’s just not even any comparison. 🙂