It’s January 2012, and you know what that means? It’s almost February.
Blissdom ’12 is coming to Nashville, and my other half Shell and I can’t wait to rock it.
Over the next several weeks, Shell from Things I Can’t Say and I are going to share some of our blog conference advice. Blissdom is the conference that is coming up next for both of us (don’t miss Shell- she’s a Blissdom Community Leader this year), though most of our advice will work for any blog conference.
The most important tip is to plan and budget ahead for Blissdom. You will be traveling, so there are gas costs or plane costs, your ticket, your hotel room, possible taxi fares, food and snack expenses, as well as any drinks you may decide to have while you’re there. It’s a conference, which is a bit like {awesome} business meetings and a vacation all in one. Plan accordingly and expect a few costs along the way.
Do plan ahead. With hundreds of fabulous women (and some pretty great men too!) flying into the Nashville area, grab someone to share a taxi with on the way to the hotel. You can cut costs, find a friend or two, and share in the excitement that only other Blissdom attendees quite understand. This works for your hotel room too! There are some pretty big beds in those rooms- find a roommate! Check the #Blissdom hashtag for others looking too.
Don’t wait until the last minute. The Gaylord Opryland Hotel is one fabulous venue- and as a result, fills up rather quickly. (Did you know that there is over 600,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space??). Be sure to book your hotel room early so that you don’t end up having to change hotels on the last night (spoken from experience!). Last minute bookings can get you relocated or more expensive, and that’s just not helping to keep costs down.
Do prepare to purchase some meals. Blissdom wonderfully supplies a fabulous breakfast and some yummy lunches, but dinner time is all about you. While their amazing evening parties provide some great food, it may not always be enough for a meal (hey, there is a LOT of walking). Plan to hit a local store for some sandwiches and snacks for your room, or check out some of the inexpensive places in the Opryland instead of the fantasticly-yummy-smelling, though pricier, main restaurants. Our plan this year? Grab a pizza before we hit the nighttime events (you can get one delivered!)
Don’t bring too many pairs of shoes. While there are opportunities to dress to every style, from flip flops to high heels, this place? Is HUGE. If I had to imagine how many miles we walked while at Blissdom, well, I just can’t. There is no exaggeration on how huge this hotel really is- it goes on and on and on. While it may be tempting to buy a few new pairs of shoes, save the expense and be comfortable (well, maybe one pair wouldn’t hurt. That’s still saving, right?)
A conference is a fabulous experience and should be anticipated with all the excitement possible. Be prepared for the costs involved, budget ahead of time, and share the costs where you can. This will leave you to enjoy all the awesome Blissdom has to offer.
Looking for more conference advice? Don’t miss next week when we talk about networking- BEFORE the conference!
Also, starting next week, we’ll have a linky at the end of each and every Blissdom Prep post for you to share yours. It’s all about connecting!
Twitter: galitbreen
says:
Such great information, Ashley! Thank you so much!
Galit Breen recently posted..Sweetness and Light
Twitter: PorchSwingMom
says:
Thanks Galit!! We’re trying to share what we’ve learned!
Ashley recently posted..Blog Conference Prep: How to Anticipate Costs
Twitter: sellabitmum
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Great info – although a girl can never have too many shoes..lol
I so wish I could go this year just so we can meet-up again. xoxo
tracy@sellabitmum recently posted..Small Style – The Difference Between Animals and Sisters..
Twitter: PorchSwingMom
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I wish you were coming!! I’m not saying not to buy any shoes. Or that I won’t. I’m just suggesting that you walk for hours so you need to be comfortable!
Ashley recently posted..Blog Conference Prep: How to Anticipate Costs
Twitter: adpaz
says:
I didn’t realize this was coming to Nashville. I’ve lived here for 6 years and it’s a beautiful city. I may check into going myself. I’d love to meet some of the people I read regularly.
Amber @ Sanity’s Overrated recently posted..Wordless Wednesday, Plus the First Few Days of 366 Days of Pictures
Twitter: PorchSwingMom
says:
Oh this is a great conference to attend!! I highly encourage it, it’s a lot of fun, a great way to network, and the perfect opportunity to meet some amazing bloggers.
Ashley recently posted..Blog Conference Prep: How to Anticipate Costs
Great tips!
Twitter: PorchSwingMom
says:
Thanks so much!! Are we going to see you there?
Ashley recently posted..Blog Conference Prep: How to Anticipate Costs
Awesome tips!!
The shoe thing – yes. Although I am a shoe girl (heels! wedges!), I would definitely go for comfort first and foremost.
Alison@Mama Wants This recently posted..Tasty Thursday: Chocolate Sea Salt Cookies
Twitter: PorchSwingMom
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I love me some shoes. But the walking is INSANE!
Ashley recently posted..Blog Conference Prep: How to Anticipate Costs
I’m still trying to decide if I’m going to try to make it last-minute. I want to go so badly!
Twitter: ByWordsMusings
says:
I hope you do too!
By Word of Mouth Musings recently posted..A New Day – guesting at Hip Homeschool Moms
Great tips, Ashley! Question for you…I usually pay for conferences myself so that it’s a tax write-off. Can’t really afford to go to Blissdom myself, but not sure how I feel about getting a sponsor either. When you get a sponsor, do you have to claim the $$ they give you as income on your tax return the next year? I hate tax time. I’m HORRIBLE at it.
Mary recently posted..Tips For New Parents That I Couldn’t Say on Television
Twitter: PorchSwingMom
says:
You do claim it as income, I believe. I so hope you will come to Blissdom! Here is a great post about what Bloggers need to claim on their taxes:
http://www.bloggingbasics101.com/2011/12/what-do-bloggers-need-to-claim-for-taxes/
Ashley recently posted..Blog Conference Prep: How to Anticipate Costs
Twitter: KristenPGIP
says:
Ashley, you and Shell inspire me to help others in any way that I can with their blogs. Usually that means reading & commenting and tweeting since I’m not very good with the tech stuff. I just think it is wonderful how much information you both share to help people succeed in something they are passionate about.
Kristen recently posted..Top Trends of 2011 That I Want Erased From my Memory…
You have no idea how much I’m looking forward to your series
I am so excited about Blissdom (my first conference,) but also a little terrified 
Twitter: alsfm
says:
I finally have a chance to sit down and READ. I LOVE this post. It is the PERFECT “other half” to shell’s post. I really wanted to ask her – How much money?
Perfect post.
Kristen recently posted..Trends that Must End.
AWESOME tips! I am sharing on Girls’ Lunch Out fan page
Read all the terrific advice knowing I won’t be going anywhere near a blog conference for a long time…makes me so want to go!!!
Sandra recently posted..The secret to kids who will love YOU and only YOU
Twitter: KimberlyAMuro
says:
Awesome tips! Thank you!
I’m looking forward to your series. Blissdom is my first conference, and though I’m super excited, I’m really nervous too!
Kimberly recently posted..Sometimes It’s Okay
Thanks for the tips! This will be my second conference. I’ll be the one with the 3 month old. Looking forward to seeing you and Shell!
Don’t know if you’ve ever been to the Gaylord Opryland, but its HUUUGE! If you ever have a chance, go around Christmas…it’s beautifully decorated! I’ve never seen a hotel put that much into decorations
Have fun!!
Twitter: philzendia
says:
Great advice. I will be attending my first conference this year so I’m pretty clueless about what goes on. Looking forward to reading more tips!
Diane @ Philzendia recently posted..My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss: A Review
So glad I didn’t completely miss this post! You girls are doing us newbies a HUGE service with these tips. Can’t wait to meet you there!
Mrs. Jen B recently posted..Wellness Wednesday: Feeling Great…But…
Thanks for the tips. I have no idea what to expect and I’m scouring blog links for info. Looking for comfy shoes now.
Alia Joy recently posted..The Ruins of Too Much Stuff
Twitter: RandomRecycling
says:
thanks for sharing!
I’m hoping to make it to BlogHer for the first time this year, maybe Blissdom next year. Looking forward to the next installment.
Emily @ Random Recycling recently posted..Menu Plan Monday~ Jan 16, 2012
Thanks for the great conference prep posts! I’m really enjoying them!
This is my First Bliss, but I do have some experience attending other conferences. One tip I would add is to consider packing non-perishable snacks to carry with you throughout the day.
Enjoying healthy snacks such as a handful of nuts, dried fruit or granola bar can be a great way to save money by ordering a smaller meal at expensive hotel restaurants.
Healthy snacks are also a great way to eat healthier at conferences because you’re less likely to over-indulge in high-fat, high-calorie restaurant foods if you’re not starving when you sit down to eat!
I am so excited for BlissDom!
Chrysta
Chrysta Bairre recently posted..Know when to quit
Great write-up, I’m normal visitor of one’s blog, maintain up the excellent operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
Twitter: flgirlnewlife
says:
Since this will be my first one, this is really helpful. (And I’m a fan of Shell too.)
The tip on dinner really helps. Who isn’t on a budget?
(FL) Girl with a New Life recently posted..In Memory of Whitney Houston