So…  What did I “take away” from the whole thing?

1) There is a reason Paula and I are friends.  Not only is she funny and smart but she’s laid back enough to let my type A (as in anal) personality “take over”.  You must read her post – and try not to laugh too hard at the part about me.

2) There may be hundreds of bloggers out there, but there are only a few that really fit your niche.  I met the most amazing women behind some of the best travel blogs.  You could often find us gathered around a table…  Often not discussing travel!

Travel Bloggers at Type A Mom

Colleen from Travel Mamas, Amy from The Q Family Adventures, and Jennifer & Kara from Vacation Gals.  If you wonder why I call my self a travel blogger please visit my other site Have Kid Will Travel!

3)  I am sick of the numbers games.  I have been blogging for 5 years.  Long before sidebars were filled with ads and every other “mommy blog” (oh, how I hate that title!) was just filled with products and giveaways.  Not that I have a problem with product reviews and giveaways.  But that’s not what I’m all about.  So I’m stepping back from it.  Sure, you’ll still see ads on my sidebar- but only for products I use and love.  And you’ll still see contests.  But those contests are for my readers; the people who support me and leave comments whether I’m giving something away or not.

4)  No matter what sometimes life still resembles high school- and my clique isn’t the cool one.  I felt pretty empty after Blissdom 09- even though it was a great conference and I got a lot out of it.  It was difficult to look at people who had been blogging for 6 months and see them on expert panels when I had been blogging for over 4 years and had the same answers.  As in life- it’s all about who you know. If recognition is important to you then you need to join the big communities online, contribute, and get noticed.  I have realized that my community (outside of travel) in in the Midwest.  So, though I love to mix and mingle with the “rock stars” of the blogging world, they are not my community.  And I’m good with that.  That said, I was completely flattered when Amy from Q Family Adventures told Paula that she was a big fan of mine.  And I was honored when Kara and Jennifer from Vacation Gals let me share information during the Travel Blogging discussion.

5)  Active sponsors really make a difference.  Sure, I love me some swag.  But what I love more are sponsors who are trying to be active in the realm of social media.  Big love goes out to:

Little Debbie (David Griner) who have proven, once again, that they really strive to know moms.  Don’t you love the cupacke car?  They are giving it away- along with one million cupcakes!  Follow the cross country tour, get your coupon for a free cupcake and nter to win the cupcake car on the Little Debbie website.

Creative Memories entered the social media market in a big way.  They not only gave us all free digital scrapbooking software (which you will see in action later) but they also spent a lot of time talking with us, finding out who we were and what made us “tick”.  I loved that they had a big team there and were very active in the conference.

Cozi, the online family organizer did a lot to lure me back as a user.  I was impressed with the upgrades they have made and their willingness to listen to ideas and accept input.

HP had an entire room filled with their newest products.  I practically drooled on their Smart Touch (omg I want it!) and my next printer will be their web printer (not in stores yet).  You should see the photo quality!

Of course there were other great sponsors…  Too many for me to name.  All were appreciated, all have gained my respect and support.

Taken by AlwaysAlli.com

6) If you wear a shirt that says “I <3 Geeks you will get your picture taken.  A lot.  I liked this one by AlwaysAlli the best.   So, sometimes it is all about what you wear.