In case you were wondering, I will, in fact, be attending BlogHer 2010 in New York City in August. As part of a longer trip to Connecticut, I’ll drop the kids with my parents and take the Party Train into Manhattan that Thursday, just in time for the first of 3,245 parties scheduled on and off the conference site.
Given my first experience of over-partying last year, I’ve got some survival tactics planned. Allow me to share them with you now, as one of the several thousand BlogHer Conference Survival Skills posts out here in the ol’ blog-o-sphere.
1. Bring a box of granola bars. That is the number one thing that saved me last year. It’s a breathless sequence of things to do, people to meet, and shiny opportunities to consider.
2. Pace yourself with the alcohol – for God’s sake! You are an adult person. Drink responsibly. Also, pack ibuprofen.
3. Earplugs. My roommate was a snorer but I never heard her. Not once.
4. Stay on site if you can. Little breaks throughout the day – plus your own private toilet – are worth it.
5. This gem is from Suebob – wherever you go, you will miss something, but you’ll have a great time there. There are so many simultaneous events that unless you have figured out how to clone yourself you will indeed miss several things.
6. Remember that some bloggers are much more comfortable at home in their pajamas and are socially awkward. If you run up to someone with squee in your brain because you are excited to meet her and she remains nonplussed – it’s not you, it’s her. Most likely.
7. Watch out for that naked lady running through the lobby.
8. Try not to miss breakfast. There are plenty of tasty, healthy treats to stash in your bag for later, in case you forget the granola bars.
9. You can probably live without that free bottle of laundry detergent.
10. This might be the most important thing: DON’T worry if you’re not invited to the party, or you don’t know where the secret swag room is, or if the mommy bloggers get all the cool stuff. Focus on what’s happening, on the people you’re meeting, on the information you’re learning. You’ll be much, much happier and more satisfied.
Bonus info! My favorite swag from last year: Lands’ End computer backpack. Hershey’s chocolate. Environmentally un-friendly Bounce dryer bars (makes your luggage smell like spring!).
Were YOU the naked lady? Is it related to drinking too much alcohol? Just had to ask.
Um, what about those FLING bars?!? Those were the best swag EVER. See you there lady, though I’ll be missing the giant hybrid car ride to this conference 🙂
I completely learned last year about the drinking and not eating thing. Also, remember beer and other kinds of alcohol, know which ones you can mix and what you cannot mix. Just sayin’
Sounds like good times surrounded by plenty of estrogen filled goodness, and in NY of all places – one of the most fun cities ever. Lucky you! I keep Larabars (peanut butter is yummiest) in my purse and car at all times, so it’s old habit for me.
I’ll be attending for the first time this August, so I appreciate the tips. I never head into NYC with fewer than three Kashi bars in my bag, so I think I’ve got that part covered. I’m relieved to see that there’s a “newbie” breakfast, so I can attach myself to another overwhelmed and underprepared blogger!
I’ll be there and can’t wait to meet you. Yes, squee is in my actual vocabulary I think and I am a hugger so I will probably totally freak people out. Not as much as if I ran naked but enough!
Also – good tip on granola bars. Love ’em. I am almost done licking my no private parties invites wound. Hopefully it will heal before I get there!
I think I’ve got that part covered. I’m relieved to see that there’s a “newbie” breakfast, so I can attach myself to another overwhelmed and underprepared blogger! and thanx for the tips.
Granola bars! You are a genius! I will also have a purse full of those string cheese things. And wheat thins, why not?
Great tips!
I keep Lara bars (peanut butter is yummiest) in my purse and car at all times, so it’s old habit for me. thanx for the info.
Oh yes! Must pack snacks! Great post!
Thanks! I must remember to follow my own advice!
These are great tips. It gives me a better idea of what is on the mind of all the bloggers going. This will be my first BlogHer, but I’m not going as a blogger (even though I am one). I’ll be there working the Walmart booth, and I look forward to meeting lots of people!