So happy to be selected to attend the 3rd Annual She’s Connected Conference (read about my 2011 experience here) – here are this year’s highlights:
1) The Keynote speech by former Cosmopolitan Editor-in-Chief Kate White
She has the BEST public-speaking skills – her speech was full of humor and inspiring life lessons. I loved her advice to schedule an hour-long coffee date with yourself once a week to look at the big picture with regards to your current job, your career path and your personal life. She mentioned she was 61 – which had everyone clamoring to know her beauty secrets (she suggested exfoliation and retinols).
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| Kate White at the conference; Her latest book published by Harper Collins |
2) Getting my hair and lashes done.
Blo Bar and iLash.me had the best booths EVER! Loved getting the Holly Would (aka Kardashian-style waves) and lush Mink lashes (good for up to 25 uses!)
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| Why can’t I ever style my hair like this myself? |
3) Learning about key topics for a growing blog
So many relevant and useful topics – my favorite were: ‘Claiming Blog Income: Blogger Compensation’ (Hello tax implications…nobody wants to get audited!), ‘Killer Media Kits & Rate Cards’ and ‘SEO Strategies For Your Blog’.
4) The McCafe
McDonalds had set up a lounge with a live band, massage & manicure stations – and unlimited coffees and smoothies! What more could you ask for?
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| I love my frothy cappuccinos! |
5) Connecting with organizations that support worthy causes:
Learned about World Vision Canada, Food Banks Canada and Facing Cancer. Loved this beautiful turquoise bracelet – available through World Vision here – it would make the perfect gift: unique, hand-crafted and helping others!
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| Love my turquoise arm-candy…am not taking this off! |
6) An unexpected meeting
At the TELUS booth I was surprised to find my former neighbor (@enapolano) – we’ve had so many chats over the summer while our kids took swimming together – yet she had no idea I was a blogger and I had no idea she was in Media Relations for TELUS!
7) Ford Fun
Ford was the biggest brand sponsor of this event – and they had SO many activities for us – from toy racetrack driving to “loading the trunk” challenges….AND mini-movies starring US (against “Escape” backdrops to highlight the 2013 Ford Escape) – everything was so much fun!
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| Screen shot from the video that made me a rockstar in my kids’ eyes (Did you really jump Mommy?) |
8) Engaging with great brands
It was amazing meeting so many great brands that were eager to work with bloggers. Everybody was so friendly and interested – it was a great place to network if you are looking to build brand relationships.
9) Random chats
Along with all the lovely brand reps – I LOVED all the chats I had with fellow bloggers…I struck up so many fun conversations ranging from favorite mascaras to kiddy potty-training tips!
10) Swag
While you don’t attend an event JUST for the swag – you have to admit it’s a lovely benefit. Here’s a peek at SOME of the amazing items I received:
Have you ever tried Mink lashes? Do you love McCafe items as much as I do?
Sounds like a fun event. And how amazing does your hair look…LOVE it! You look gorgeous!
Thanks Lilly – it was so much fun! And I REALLY wish I knew how to do my hair like this myself LOL! You're so good at curling your hair – it always looks professionally styled.
How fun Ella! What a great opportunity to learn more about blogging. I definitely want to attend a blogger conference sometime. I mean, after three years of steady blogging…I think it's time right?! Your hair and makeup looks amazing in the picture! You are so beautiful 🙂 Love the beaded bracelet too. I wouldn't take it off either!
I LOVE the beaded bracelet – I love that it's a charitable cause but also looks amazing (which isn't always the case with 'good cause' items – I feel bad saying it but it's true!)Yes – attending a blogging conference is SO worth it – I learned a lot of things that I may not use at the moment (such as why I should move my blog to wordpress, how to improve my SEO, how to pitch to companies) but it's still good to know in case I ever want to move my blog in that direction, KWIM?
Great post!
Thanks!
Great post Ella! Thanks for including our hand-made Thai bracelet in your top 10! – @stephsigel @worldvisioncan
Glad you liked the post – the bracelet is so super-pretty – thank you for giving it to me, I really appreciate it!
What a fun event! I heard about the conference earlier this year but time got away from me and I never got around to registering for it. Definitely going next year!PS, you look gorgeous! Love the hair and lashes!
Thanks Louise – it definitely was a lot of fun – would be great to meet you at the next one 🙂
I wish I had gone too but didn't register. I love McCafe smoothies too. Girl, your hair looks sooo good!! You have to fill me in the SEO secrets…pm 🙂
The mango smoothies are my fave! Would you believe – a lot of the SEO secrets went right over my head LOL! They were more geared to WordPress users (apparently they even have a widget that analyses how effective your posts are as you publish them!) For now I'm happy sticking to Blogger.
Oohhh~ sounds like you had an awesome time :)I wanted to go, but thinking with the way things are going, would have to be like 2 years from now. But still nice to read up on it~
Glad you liked reading about it – I think it gets better every year – so it's a good plan to eventually go there 🙂