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Is it just me or is it blog conference season? Everywhere I look someone is hashtagging a conference, sharing a recap, or posting photos at a new conference I haven’t heard of. I went to my first conference last year in Dallas, and while I’m not sure I’d hop a plane to go again immediately, I definitely learned and experienced a lot.
One thing I didn’t even think about and felt kind of ill-prepared for was packing. I was too focused on what I’d be wearing to think about any of the things I might want to have during the conference sessions. Whether you’re traveling near or far to a blogger conference, hopefully this list will cover the basics that you may forget!
Blog Conference Essentials You’ll Want to Pack
1. Notebook and pen, or for those who prefer electronic, your favorite tablet. I’ve packed both, and honestly still prefer good old pen and paper. What can I say, doodling on a tablet just isn’t the same as in the margins of a notebook! ;)
2. Your camera or just your phone. I’ve learned that I rarely bring out the ‘big guns’ during sessions and prefer snapping a few photos with my phone. For more social gatherings like dinner or an activity, I’ll pack bring my “big girl” camera. Don’t forget memory cards, extra batteries, and your battery charger!
3. Speaking of phones, don’t forget your phone charger! I don’t know how many times I’ve left it plugged in at home for a last minute charge before vacation. Also, be sure to check all your outlets in your hotel room before you leave – they’re sneaky and like to keep your chargers! :P
4. Business cards and a business card holder are super useful. Networking is my favorite part of conferences, regardless of how awkward it feels at the time, I’ve made some amazing connections! When you had someone a business card and get theirs in return, it’s super helpful to have an easy way to organize their cards. I like ordering from Moo because their boxes double as a mini “filing cabinet” for your cards. I’ve had good experiences with the quality with Moo and think they’re a great value! (P.S. if you want to try ’em out, my referral link will get you 10% off your first order!)
5. Keep away the hangry with healthy snacks and keep hydrated by packing bottled water or a refillable water bottle. I think that’s all pretty self-explanatory, but hanger is real and no one wants that!
6. Don’t forget a reusable tote! You may end up with another promotional one at your conference, but just in case not, you’ll need one! Trust me, you’ll be filling it with all the freebies and swag you could dream of. Most conferences will send you home with a few goodies from each of their sponsors.
So now I bet you’ve figured out that I’m heading to a conference soon… Well, you’d be right! I’m packing one small bag and I’m headed to SoFabU on the Road, which is coming to my ‘hood on April 18th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Downtown Seattle.
The keynote speaker is Andy Hayes, founder and creator of Plum Deluxe, the website that helps you create moments that matter. A published author, prolific writer, tea lover, and public speaker, he is based in sunny Portland, Oregon (AKA Seattle’s sister from another mister.) Featured in sites and magazines such as CNN, Wall Street Journal, and National Geographic, Andy is known for his fresh ideas on living a good life.
SoFabU also has networking, brands, a city-specific Adventure, and other learning opportunities (check out the agenda on the SoFabUOTR website!) Bonus: Johnny Rockets for lunch, and some other sweet sponsors like Muller, Kraft (crossing my fingers for some mac & cheese), and iBlog.
To find out if they’re coming to a city near you, check out the SoFabU on the Road Website or search the #SOFabUOTR and #cbias hashtags on Twitter.
Disclosure: In exchange for writing this post, I received a discounted ticket to SoFabU on the Road in Seattle. All opinions and thoughts are my own, as always.
Fellow Seattle bloggers, will I be seeing you at SoFabU on the Road? What other conferences are you planning on attending this year?
I’d love to go to a conference at some point so I saved this for when that day arrives! Thanks, girl!
Yay, hopefully you’ll get to go to one soon! It’s always convenient when they’re close to home, and a lot less expensive too. :)
These are great tips! I hope to go to a conference one of these days (possibly this year) so this will definitely help! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Christine, glad it was helpful!
I would love to go to a blogger conference one day. I think it would be so much fun! I haven’t seen any that have been close to Pittsburgh unfortunately. Cincinnati, OH is probably the closet I’ve seen.
Ah that’s a bummer! Hopefully they’ll be one in Pittsburgh soon!
Nice! I haven’t had the opportunity to attend a blog conference yet, but hope to at some point! I’m pinning this post for when that time comes :)
Awesome, thanks so much for pinning, Morgan! Hope you get to go to one soon!
Interesting…maybe I should sign up. :)
You totally should! :)
This was very helpful, Jenn! I’ve never been to a blog conference and I don’t think one will be on my horizons any time soon. All the ones that I come across and think seem interesting are just too far to travel for me in a reasonable budget. But I should make more of an effort to see what local conferences are available!
x Kathryn
Through the Thicket
Yeah, I can understand that. I’d like to go to more – mostly to network and meet people then anything else at this point – but like you said, they’re very far and cost prohibitive. Hopefully something local will pop up!
Definitely saving this for when I attend my first conference (AHH!!!) Thanks for the tips!
Meg of An Affair of Character
Of course! Hope you get to go to one soon! :)
Going to a blogging conference sounds awesome, although I agree that jumping on a plane to do so probably isn’t an option for me right now. Still, I figure if I stay in the Bay Area long enough, they’ll come to me :)
I might add that a notebook with a hard back is important, so you can easily write when you’re sitting in a chair. It’s hard to write on your lap with a floppy notebook!
Cat
http://oddlylovely.com
I would think so! I’m surprised there aren’t a ton going on all the time there!
Oh that’s a good point – most of the workshops and conferences I have attended have had tables to write on, but some meetups do not. I tend to take notes on my phone at those sorts of events!
I really can’t wait to attend a blogging conference and these tips will definitely help! I always forget to pack things like snacks and a pencil. Cause lord knows I need to erase a million times lol.
Haha, I know what you mean! I generally only have pens so I’m over there scratching out things and making my notes look like a hot mess. Oops! ;)
I’ve really wanted to attend a blog conf
Hopefully you’ll be able to soon, Kristine! :)
I had no idea we had a blog conference coming to Seattle!! I’d love to go but I don’t know that I’m “big enough” in blog world to attend one :/ What do you think?
Ha! I wouldn’t worry about that at all. I would say if you see yourself continuing to blog (even if you have no specific plans) it’s good to go and find out your options. You may find you have no interest in it, or you could leave totally motivated. Either way, the thing I like is meeting new people and connecting again with those I’ve met before in the local community!
Hi Jenn,
Love this post! Never been to a conf..would love to tho! I went to a fashion trade show for first time in Vegas..so much info and fun! Gald to connect with another SEattle blogger, your blog is lovely!
Best to you!
Valerie
Thanks Valerie! Hope to see you at a local event soon! :)
I had no idea about this conference. I cancelled a trip to LA to a Latino conference so probably I will go to this in town.
I am not sure to be “big enough” and probably will have panic attacks before but I will consider going to this one.
You’ll be fine! I know of quite a few going, and I will be there too! Shoot me an email before and I’ll give you my number if you want to meet up and head in together! :)
Business cards are great for this sort of thing. I might also suggest that you include your social media handles on your cards. At events its not uncommon to tweet live as something is happening.
Great point! My Twitter handle is on my business card but I’ve definitely received some that did not. Definitely something to keep in mind for all business owners now!