Blissdom Canada - Mentors Moments And Memories

I Am Thankful For ...

As I am sitting in front of my desktop computer this 2013 Thanksgiving weekend, I am trying to sort out the best of the best from last weekend's Blissdom Canada experience.  Trying to break it down into the most memorable events is very difficult making me realize just how thankful I am to have been part of this year's conference.

Blissdom The Second Time Around

The last Blissdom Canada event I attended was in 2011.  I was unable to go last year because I was in Las Vegas for work.  That was an opportunity I did not want to miss!  When I read the follow up from Blissdom Canada in 2012 I had realized that the blog conference had changed quite a bit from the one I attended the year before, so I was very curious about the new format.

Being what I like to call a serial volunteer, I was thrilled to be asked to assist with registration at Blissdom Canada this year and to be able to meet and greet so many of the attendees!

When I arrived at the registration desk I quickly scanned the name badges.  I saw that I knew about half of the people that would be attending and the other half were new names to me.  I remember thinking "what a great mix" because I love to reconnect with those from other events and meeting new people is something I enjoy as well.

 

Mentors Moments And Memories

Instead of writing my takeaways from each seminar that I attended I decided to do a roundup of all the events that took place during my weekend at Blissdom Canada. (give it a minute for all the pics to load)  

• Smelling scents of the wonderful soaps that Jeannine of Wlyde Rose Soaps created for the Handmade Marketplace in the car ride there.  Yes we carpooled!
• Arriving to the wonderful smiling faces of friends
• Meeting many at the registration desk

• Seeing Anna snapping pictures out of the corner of my eye (majority of the pics in this post are embedded images from the Blissdom Canada flicker account which Anna snapped)
• The arrival of my roomies for the weekend
• Running around the hotel trying to figure out which meeting room to be in and when
• DRIVING A CAMARO!!!
Post by Lisa McDonald.
• Wearing Our Tiaras!

• Not Wearing Our Tiaras and almost being incognito
• Conversations around tables whether it be in a workshop, a keynote or a meal
• Learning how bloggers can change the world
• Seeing Jully Black perform for the second time that week! Then getting to go on stage with her!

• Jamming as many people as we can in for the last photo of the night
Post by Lisa McDonald.
• Finding a way to get a picture with Jully Black.
Post by Lisa McDonald.
• Late night guests
• Being taken a-back by a gut check moment
• Knowing where Team Naked Polo Perfume originated
• Hearing about the Power created by others
• Lollipop Moments

• Swimming! Hello Hot Tub!
• Dancing in my PJ's

• Being part of a stealth mission for beverages and snacks
• Once again Finding My Bliss

And these are just the ones off the top of my head.  If I was to really stop and reflect this post would become a journal of just one weekend.  I would love to hear your most memorable moments! Leave them in the comments and I'm sure it will help spark more memories for everyone! Then we can all be thankful for the time we spent together at Blissdom Canada.

My #GGBliss Factor or the Newbie Girl's Journal of #BlissdomCanada

Where do I begin?
I can write a full post about one day event, how am I ever going to create a post about an event that spanned close to 4 days?

I guess I'll start at the beginning.....

Blissdom Canada
A conference of EPIC proportions geared for women involved in blogging.  (I tried looking it up in Wikipedia for the actual definition of the conference & can't find anything about it, so for now we'll just go with mine ok?)

This was to be it's return to Canada after the success of last year (which I missed).  I had heard so much about it that I knew that I need to be at the 2011 event.

Then it happened....

Tickets went on sale on a day I was out for a lunch meeting = sad face.
ENTER GoGirlfriend.com
They were holding a contest & I entered & WON!

& later found out that the original ticket owner was someone I knew & she got another ticket so we'd both be there!

Being that I was a newbie this year I called in some experts to make sure I got to experience it to the best of my abilities!
From that page I found a carpool in a vehicle sponsored by GM Canada!

Flash forward to event day....
As we arrived we noticed Blissdom vehicles ready to whisk us away to CBC.  We were treated to a Red Carpet welcome & a whole lot of awesome!
Let me first start by saying I waited until FIVE people asked me where the tiara was before I propped it on my head.  Soon after followed by many others saying "oh now I recognize you" -I giggle every time I hear that!

I met John who made me travel back in time.  I got to climb on to Mr. Dressup's Tree & peek my head through the Friendly Giant's Castle Window.

I didn't get the opportunity to meet Steven & Chris because I was very busy chatting with all the fabulous people there.
BUT I did get to meet the FAB Mama Yama & she joined the #TiaraARMY (really all you have to do to get in is have a pic in a tiara)

From there we met another Lisa who said she'd make arrangements for another CBC return (but I'll save that for another post).

When I ran into Julia I may have consumed my limit of delicious beverages, but I did tell her..... I believe this is what heaven is like.  Beautiful white curtains, lots of food & drink & surrounded by wonderful people.
I told her I'd write that in my post & so I did.

After the party I met up with some friends, had a bite to eat at a restaurant that I will not name (= not great) followed by a bit of aimless wandering when I was told to GO LEFT (certain readers will definitely giggle at that).

Now that the pre-party was over, it was time to get ready for the actual conference. There were so many panels to choose from so I went with my gut & chose the ones that DIDN'T have anything to do with writing.  It's not really my thing.  I don't get paid for my blogging (unless you count the one I created at work) so I figured I'm not a professional writer.  Plus I knew many who would be attending those so I figured I could get info from them.  My presence at Blissdom Canada was more social based, along with learning about topics that peaked my interest.
Conference DAY 1
After opening introductions of the Blissdom Team, @herbadmother gave a fantastic keynote that I'm sure could win you a scrabble game with.

We started off by breaking off into tribes.  Being the newbie I am, I had no idea what that meant.  I learned that it meant round table discussions about topics.  So my first one lead by @capitalmom & it was for newcomers.  I quickly said I picked this one being a newcomer to this conference (not a newcomer to blogging or attending events).  For my second tribe I picked Don't Niche Me In hosted by @bonstewart because I am so random with all my activities.

My first session
Working with Brands & PR.  I don't do either of those, so why not learn about them?
It was an informative panel & I really liked that when the panel didn't agree with each other they explained why & never created an tension (I don't do well with arguing & drama).  I learned a lot.  I'm not sure if that is an avenue I want to pursue, but if I do I feel I'm prepared.

BREAK which included me getting a massage, a manicure, a blissdom necklace & a pic of me on a Corn Flakes box (yes I love all things crazy fun & unpredictable)

My second session.
Social Good
Something I preach all the time.  Want to know why?  Just watch this (thanks @zchamu)



Needless to say I came out with red swollen eyes & may have killed a tree with the amount of tissues I used, but felt great to be in a room with others who also felt this was an important topic.

Next I found my way to some of the sponsor tables.  That's where I created a Young Driver's video that can be found on their blog

After that there was a discussion about being Canadian-ish (lots to do with Canadian bloggers living in USA & keeping a Canadian perspective).

THEN IT WAS TIME TO PARRRRRR-TAY
Hello #mabelbliss hosted Mabel's Labels.

Let's just say I felt very spoiled!
What's better than being spoiled? Being spoiled & having your BFF come join the party!
Two Tiaras are always better than One


After that we grabbed a dinner (or not really) at the restaurant that shall not be named.  Followed by some socializing with new pals.
Conference DAY 2
(also Tweetstock Tshirt day)
First session Viral Topic
The day started out with smiles & laughter because of this (thanks @thatericalper)

But there were some tears too (happy tears are always the best).  The panel talked about all their experiences brought them to "viral status" very different ways.  It was all about emotional connections.

BREAK -we ended up finding what I refer to as Adam Squared (the two Adams of @atomicspark) we created a little shout out to our friends at Tweetstock (since they appeared our vid which was in my winning post that got me there in the 1st place).  We also got to see the promo vid that they made with Kitestring.  You know you have arrived when a Muppet gives you a shout out!

Second Session Personal Branding

Which could also be called the funniest panel I've ever had the opportunity to hear.  The were honest & hilarious.  There were tears too, inspirational ones.  The ones that make you appreciate things.
I also took away some great advice from Dee.  Your twitter bio is free make the most of it.  So I did.

Third Session Transmedia
I picked this one because I didn't know what it meant.  It was more for those looking to run a business, but I had some great takeaways. Not a $20 takeaway that was offered up to anyone in the room that wanted to run up & grab it.  A takeaway from Laura who told me I was right not to just take anything that was presented in front of me.  That was worth more than $20 any day.

BREAK - somehow I ended up in para fin wax with mitts on, then learning salsa, followed by a mini workout session (so you know I loved all of it)

Final Session
Old vs New Media a panel about ways people find news & how different medias influence each other.

What's that time for another PARRRRR-TAY!
& a Costume Karaoke party at that!


Somehow both Diane & I ended up in "WHO WORE IT BETTER?" pics (but the fun & friendly kind, not the rude & judgey kind).

& just when you think the party can't get any more amazing.....

@JordanKnight shows up!

...... & he dances with  MEEEEEEEEEEEE



On the days following I find out I'm on the websites for CBC, Entertainment Weekly & ET Canada
This is just my quick recap.  I have stories about the wonderful people I saw & chatted with, how much fun I had, & how much I learned.
BUT what I will be known best for is being the girl who danced with Jordan Knight while wearing a tiara & dressed as Supergirl.

What did you takeaway from the conference?  Leave a comment & let me know.  Have a whole bunch to say? Then write a post & add it to my Blissdom LINKS
To see all my pics head over to my facebook

I have so many people to thank that made this experience happen for me.  I appreciate the kindness that was bestowed upon me & hope I can make all I learned useful for you as well.

#IAmSoBlessed

#GGBliss could have been a miss if I lived in Saudi Arabia

Travel Post?
This is not your typical travel post, but then again what is typical about me anyway?
So to start off GoGirlfriend.com is having a FIND YOUR BLISS Contest & for the last couple of weeks I've been trying to think of something AMAZING to write.
So far that hasn't happened, but something did spark this post.

When I woke up to the radio on my alarm clock this morning, I heard them joking about how Saudi Arabian women are breaking the law by driving.  Apparently they are uploading videos of themselves driving around.  Although I have a VERY odd sense of humour, this didn't strike me as funny at all.  Infact I never thought about it being against the law for women to drive in other countries.  Then I thought how different my life would be if I wasn't allowed to drive.  How many friendships would have never came to be?

I love going to events and meeting people Face to Face.  When you can take your online friendships and create an IN REAL LIFE HUGFEST nothing tops that!

So I rely on my car to travel, whether it's to get to Toronto, Oakville, Burlington ,or HIGHLY EXOTIC locales like Brantford or Cobourg I am thankful that I have the right to drive.  So as of today my favorite place to travel is Highway 401

It takes me to HUGS.

(I have always said that Bon Jovi songs tell the story of my life)

So that is my @GoGirlfriend contest entry & like I said not your typical travel post.  I leave that to the experts.
 
If you're still not convinced that I need to go to Blissdom Canada, we also put together a little presentation with the help of our good friends from Tweetstock