This past week I had the opportunity to attend BlogWest 2012 in Edmonton, this was the first Blog Conference held in Western Canada. It all began when a girl had a dream, Felicia Dewar had attended a conference in Toronto and wanted to bring the experience to her home province for all bloggers to enjoy. With loads of hard work, great support and a few sleepless nights Felicia pulled off a successful conference in a mere 8 weeks!
Over the course of this 3 day event there were information-rich speaker sessions which caused me to pause and reflect. As a blogger I sit and pen my thoughts for the world to see and conferences give me the opportunity to consider my direction. Questions such as “What’s my brand” or “How far am I willing to go to spread my message?” spring to mind to challenge my outlook. Funny that second question was actually stimulated by my own speaking session, titled “Use Your Power for Good, Not Evil“.
Writing can become an insular situation, sitting here behind my laptop clicking away I would hope that I’m mindful of my readers but immersing myself in a room of writers has the benefit of perspective.
Blog West stirred me up, this to me is a successful conference. I gained insights on questions I’d had about technical information, suffice it to say this means I realized that I know very little and will need the help of an expert!
The session I led was a great experience, it ended up being a discussion session (which is exactly what I’d hoped), where the attendees engaged in a lively discussion on using social media to affect change for good. I did have a friend video tape it and hope to share it in the future….but one take-away for myself is that I must be even more clear about my goal with my readers. I think that it’s not necessarily obvious to a new reader that I seek to remove the stigma of alcoholism and to encourage others to make healthy changes in their lives by sharing my story in a transparent manner.
So there it is, I need to refine my blog design a bit….nothing wrong with a new dress every now and again right?
Now onto the fun part, the photos!!!
Fabulous panels!
Reuniting with fab friends!
Dinners with wonderful folks!
Thank you so much to my sponsor Adult Essential Gummies for allowing me to represent your brand while in Edmonton, it was an honor which I’ll never forget!
I followed along on twitter and was so excited to see a tweet with you mentioned – and there was a lot! Congrats on a great experience, and glad you are back home safe and sound.
It was wonderful Pam, although I will admit that I won’t be travelling alone again anytime soon….I found it too much for me. Next time I’ll link up with another blogger or ensure Hubby can make it.
It must have been a great experience to lead a session! I am so sure you did amazing! :) :)
Good Girl Gone Green recently posted..The Mini Raw Vegan Carrot Cake
It was wonderful
Sounds like a great conference!
Julia recently posted..Join Me In The Finish Revolution!
Glad you came our way! It was indeed a fun, information filled conference.
SamiJoe recently posted..Casa Guadelajara ~ Old Town, San Diego CA
I’m so glad you had a great time Julie! .. you look so fab!
It was great to have you out! Thanks for being such an engaging and inspiring speaker fr us :)
Thank you so much for being so welcoming!
It sounds like you gals had a great time and learned so much. I’m looking into going to my first conference some time next year. I hope I get as much information as you did! :)
LaQuita (Just Us Girls) recently posted..Chloraseptic Warming Sore Throat Lozenges & Kids Sore Throat Lollipops (R&G)
I really enjoyed following the #blogwest Twitter updates while you were there. I can’t wait to see the video!!
Chris
Sounds like the conference was great! So glad you got to go and speak! :)
AnnMarie Brown recently posted..Stretching your dollar… on Vehicles and Gas
Looks awesome Julie! I’ve never attended a blog conference before. I hope to this year!
I enjoyed your seminar and all of Blogwest. I am hoping they do it again and next year it will be even bigger and better
Thanks so much Leslie, Blog West this year was awesome and will be next year I’m sure!
great pictures Julie! I’m glad you had a good time :) I wish I had been there with you!
tarasview recently posted..The Northern Lights
sounds like a good event,
Jennifer recently posted..The Toronto Zoo, Any Day of the Year!
Great post on BlogWest. I feel behind the times; I’m impressed you have this up already. It was fabulous to meet you IRL; you are more amazing in person than online. I can’t wait to see you at the next conference! :)
We’re like soul sistas ;) I loved spending time with you, next time we room together!!! Corey and Brad can go hunting or something
Looks like you had an amazing time!!
Shairbearg recently posted..Friendly Followers for March 11, 2012
I really enjoyed your presentation at BlogWest Julie, and I definitely think that discussion sessions can be invaluable in sparking ideas and thought processes so that we go home and evaluate our blogs and our goals, etc. I can’t wait to write my BlogWest wrap-up post to solidify some of the ideas I had during the conference.
Laurie recently posted..Get to Know Me Meme
Truly wish I could of been there with everyone! Hopefully next year. Looks and sounds fab!
Looking forward to see what design you come up with.
Congrats on a successful conference!
m.
Mark recently posted..Current Score:
Thank you so much for coming out West Julie! You were one of my favourite speakers and it was great to connect with you throughout.
Can’t wait to see the new blog design and where your next blog speaking event will be :)
Marissa (@Stuporstar) recently posted..Edmonton Handmade Talent = Awesome
Thanks so much for sharing everything with me *like I’m* the only one here ha ha but it was awesome! I’ve never been to a conference so it’s cool to get your insight and see the pics and catch a glimpse of what goes on.
LOVE your topic Julie :) Looks like you had a wonderful time!! Hoping for a Blog East :)
Lynette recently posted..The Muppets on DVD & Blu-Ray
It was so nice to meet you Julie! Thanks for all your insights and advice on blogging and finding my direction, and of course for the outfit photos! Looking forward to staying connected with all of the amazing women I met at BlogWest.
Nice reflection.. :) I really love hearing more about this..
Nicole03 recently posted..All About Chinese
Hi Julie! It was so nice meeting you at BlogWest! It was so fun chatting with you and thank you so much for sharing your spirit and enthusiasm! Wishing you a wonderfuf weekend and Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Angie xo