In getting ready to attend Blogher for the first time, and knowing that it is a woman’s conference, I found myself getting really nervous. Wondering how I would be judged. Wondering if I would be tagged as that pervert that showed up to look at all the girl’s boobs, or that guy that was so clueless he showed up to the wrong conference.
I was hoping to get away with just letting them think I came to support my wife and help watch the baby. And it worked!!!
Jokes aside, Blogher was a great experience, and I’d go again, even by myself.
The women were all amazing in the things they juggle on a daily basis, as well as their acceptance of a handful of guys showing up to their event.
And being a Make Money Online blogger, I was often looked to for advice, because “Mommy Bloggers” are getting more interested in that subject more and more everyday.
It didn’t hurt that I was always holding the baby and getting my picture taken probably more than any single person that attended. I can’t complain.
But what is the purpose of a guy going to blogher? I don’t know, but I do know that I took a lot of valuable information away from the conference that I hope to implement within the next week or so.
My Blogher Experience
As a Make Money Online blogger, often-times the best people to network with at a conference are the Sponsors. And Blogher had a lot of great sponsors as well as representatives from major companies:
- Walmart
- Hewlett Packard
- Intel
- GM
- The London Times
- BlogTalkRadio
- McDonald’s
- Gatorade
- SpringPad
- Picnik
- Collective Bias
- And so many more…
As well as major companies and sponors I had the opportunity to meet the following people:
- Karson Kressley
- Paula Dean
- Lucretia Pruitt
- Stephanie Agresta
- Chris Hogan (SVP BlogTalk Radio)
- A few of Walmart’s Eleven Moms
- John Andrews (CEO Collective Bias)
- And all the other great bloggers that showed up!
My Expectations For Blogher 2010
Blogher was awesome, but there are a few things I’d like to see different for Blogher 2010, which will be in New York City:
- All business cards should have a picture of you on them. It’d be so much easier to put a name with a face once I get home.
- The speakers were great, but I felt like some of them didn’t know anymore about the subject than a lot of the audience, or was it just me? I’d love to have the opportunity to speak next year. I think I could really bring some great information and experience to the table.
- The after-parties were great, but the majority of attendees showed up for the swag then went somewhere else. I think the Bowlher party did it best when they offered something exciting to get everyone to show up early for their event (walking the red carpet) and got them to stay until the end by giving away the swag bags at the end of the event rather than beginning. If anyone is interested in sponsoring a party at next year’s Blogher, get in touch with me!
In Summary
Blogher was a great experience that I think every blogger should enjoy (male or female) and had a lot of great networking opportunities. And aside from the minor issues that happend on occasion (nothing is perfect), I had an amazing time.
What did you think about Blogher? Please leave a comment about it.
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My name is Steven Sanders and I'm a Professional Blogger, Izea Insider, Web Designer, Social Media Enthusiast, Dad, Husband, and Friend.
The Bowlher party was definitely the best! It was fun, there was lots to do, and it was extremely well organized. I wouldn’t have expected anything less from Barbara.
Again…it was great meeting you!
We talked about this there and I have to say I agree with what you want to see next year.
Adorable family pic! Glad you had a good time! How many other guys were there?
Nice picture. It is great that you find blogher party a great experience.
Not sure how many guys were there exactly, but not many. I did stand out from some by choosing to wear a tiara at one of the events. It got quite a few compliments.
Great list of attendees! I think more guys should attend the BlogHer events- makes them more interesting. Hopefully I’ll be able to attend next year’s show. There’s so many conferences this year, can’t squeeze them all in!
It was really great meeting you!!
BlogHer is definitely a conference with its own unique flavor, is it not?
But one thing I’ve always heard from every guy who attends is how much they *didn’t* feel out of place when they expected too.
Love the picture/biz card idea – will be using that, thanks!!
It was great meeting you as well, and BlogHer is definitely unique.
One thing I didn’t mention though, was how all the men’s restrooms on the ballroom floor were converted into women’s restrooms.