Social Fabric Theme of the Week: Conferences

The blogger conference schedule is about to get busy as 2012 keeps rolling along. This week’s theme in the Social Fabric community is all about conferences. Our members were excited to share about conferences they’ve been to and ones they hope to attend this year. This Friday we’ll be hosting a @cbSocially Twitter Chat at 12:30 pm EST; be sure to join us by using the hashtags #Conferences and #cbias. We’ll be chatting about conferences that are on everyone’s agenda this year and the excitement these events bring.

This week 49 Social Fabric members answered a survey that was centered around the topic of conferences. Read what they had to share….

We asked members which conferences they’re hoping or planning to attend this year. 77% answered Blogher ’12, 31% said Bloggy Boot Camp, 28% answered Reviewer’s Retreat, and 26% answered Blissdom. Many times bloggers acquire sponsors to help cover conference-related expenses. We asked which part of the expenses they usually try to get covered. 50% answered everything, 47% answered travel expenses, and 41% answered hotel costs. Why do members attend conferences? 93% answered for the networking with other bloggers, experts, and brands. 87% answered they enjoy sessions offered and want to learn. 55% answered it’s a chance to meet up with friends, face-to-face. We asked how many conferences or events they plan to attend in a year’s time. 42% answered they attend 2-4 conferences, and 32% answered they’ll attend at least 1 conference per year. 18% go to as many conferences as possible. We asked what types of conferences they focus on attending. An overwhelming majority (82%) attend more general-based conferences, while smaller percentages attend more niche-oriented conferences.

Social Fabric members also shared posts related to this week’s theme, as well as shared in a community conversation about conferences. Read on to find out which conferences are hot topics of conversation amongst Social Fabric members….

Looking for a list of conferences to attend in 2012? Meagan, from Sunshine and Sippy Cups, shares Blogging Conferences for Women- Event Schedule for 2012. She also shares What You Might Not Know About Reviewer’s Retreat, 2012.

I really want to go to BlogHer Food, also Blissdom!  I’m likely not going to either this year, but high hopes for next year!!  I’ve never been to a blogger conference, pretty much learned as I went along.  I think for the social aspect it would be great and hopefully learn a lot too ~ Kristy from Mommy Hates Cooking.

Tazim, from Being Tazim, is planning to attend Travel Blogger’s Exchange this year, Attending a Niche Blogging Conference or a General Blogging Conference?.

I would go to them all if able!!! I esp want to attend BlogHER 12, SheStreams, BlogHER food and creative!!! ~ Rebecca from Cre8tive Compass Magazine.

Sandy, from Organize with Sandy, shares her entire awesome experience at EVO Conference 2011.

I would love to attend Blogher, I have heard so many darn good things about it!  To get a chance to talk to Brands face to face and make some connections would be great.  The experience would be incredible; there is so much to learn from so many amazing people!  Bloggy Bootcamp is also on my list ~ April from April’s Lifestyle Show.

Denise, from Blog Conference Newbie, shares what she learned at her first Blissdom Conference in The Blogging Gold Rush.

SheStreams was the big one for me for take-away personally.  I bought podcasting equipment on the way home, and I went at it with no resolve and I love it.  It wasn’t the one for networking quite as much unless you consider how much fun I had with my roommates and that was awesome. I like big, I like people and I love the opportunities but I never made it to one session at Blogher…. I loved Blissdom in 2009 and I’m going to try it again this year to see what I think. I loved Mom 2.0 but haven’t had an opportunity to do it again, I’m doing Dad 2.0 (same folks, different group of attendees) as a sponsor this year so we will see. I like big, really I do, but SXSW was almost enough to send me home with emotional damage…yet I”m doing it again this year. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Blog World Expo and would love to do an East Coast version of it. And then……the ones I’m longing for right now are Bloggy Boot Camp and Reviewers Retreat. Other conferences that deserve a mention….Social Media Moms….which I went to the first two years. Type A Mom was great for networking and I actually did a blog re-brand right there in the lobby with help from some of the speakers but I haven’t been since it turned into Type A Parent ~ Jerri Ann from Mom~E~Centric.

Thien-Kim, from I’m Not the Nanny, gives tips on How to Meet People at Blog Conferences.

I’ve never been to a conference! My goal for 2012 is to attend at least one conference ~ Linette from The Kid’s Fun Review.

Kathryn, from Mommy Kat and Kids, shares her Blissdom Canada Experience.

The conferences provide valuable face to face time with people you have been communicating with. Well worth trying to save for ~ Ted Rubin from Straight Talk and Collective Bias.

I totally agree with Ted about meeting people and brands face to face. The two conferences that I went to last year-I felt really helped make or strengthen connections ~ Courtney from French Country Cottage.

Jackie, from With Just a Bit of Magic, shares a bit of honesty and comedy in Without Social Media I….

Every year I go to BEA (Book Expo America) and that’s coming up in June so am hoping I’ll be able to make it this year. It’s my favorite conference.  They are together with Blog World this year, so that should be interesting.  I’m also supposed to go to my annual trek to San Diego Comic-con in July and the Latina Lifestyle Bloggers conference in L.A.  which is very boutique and has some great panels this year ~ Gina from Do’na Lupe’s Kitchen.

Angie, from My Four Monkeys, shares about Making New Friends and Finally Meeting Old Ones at Reviewers Retreat.

I went last year to BlogHer and I just want to say to those few like me who are afraid of such a big conference…ask the CB team about me LOL. I was a scared little 5yo during the entire time!  Even the Cheap Sally party, lol, BUT, NO ONE made me feel as loved and comfortable and a part of the group as ALL of my Collective Bias friends.  Even those of you who I hadn’t met, I was introduced to. Leave your fears at home, no need for them, I learned that. P.S. Don’t hold me to that, I might still have my shyness with me ~ Lily from Adventures of a Military Family of 8.

Charlene, from Charlene Chronicles, gives Tips for Blissdom Alum. She also gives some great tips on Vlogging at Blissdom.

So, whichever conference you are planning to attend, you’ll find some great tips here from Social Fabric members. The planning is just half the fun, though…. hopefully, we’ll meet you there!

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