Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Amy Shojai, CABC on February 16, 2013 at 5:02pm

Sparkles, I wanna wear bling! Just sayin...

Permalink Reply by Chris McNeair on February 17, 2013 at 9:23pm

Caren, 

Sorry I couldn't afford the hotel. I'm staying at the Hyatt about 20 minutes away. Everything is pretty pricey in that area.. 100+/nt so the other half hopped on hotwire.com and got us a good deal. I will be there Wednesday night so if anyone is interested in meeting on Thursday morning for breakfast I would love it. 

I get to see some of D.C. and Maryland while I am up there too. 

Caren Osrin Gittleman said:

Hi Chris! You are staying at the hotel where the conference is being held right? Thanks for the info!

Chris McNeair said:

In case anyone hasn't booked their hotel yet, I just got a good deal on hotwire.com for $82/night. I was looking on hotels.com and the hotels directly and it was giving me $100+/night. 

Anyways.. it's getting closer and I'm thrilled to know at least one of my interviewees is going to be there.. Miss Pixel blue eyes.. she just won the trip and 3 nights in the hotel. How awesome.

Will they be handing out any paper bags by chance? I may need one to keep me from hyperventilating.. 

Permalink Reply by Chris McNeair on February 17, 2013 at 9:28pm

I've heard that about the BlogPaws crew. I've been getting some tips on how to network.. the only thing I'm going to have a problem with is giving people a short intro of myself. But I have business cards ready. 

There's an evening gala banquet thing?? Oh my goodness.. I didn't see that on the itinerary.. I'm going to have to bring some paper bags just in case I start hyperventilating...

Fun and funky? Um.. that would be a skirt and a nice top with sandals..

Is anyone else coming from Florida? I'm in the Tampa area.

Does anyone know if the parking will be free since I'm staying at a different hotel?

Also is it okay to write "BlogPaws or Bust" on the back window of my car? =^..^=  

JaneA Kelley said:

Hey, Chris -- the BlogPaws crowd is pretty laid back, and I'm sure you'll have a great time. That said, I was kind of shy and nervous at my first BlogPaws conference, too. Please feel free to ask me any questions you'd like -- my e-mail address is janea@paws-and-effect.com.

Also, if you'd like to interview a very young diabetic cat, my baby Bella (age 10 months, give or take) would be happy to talk with you. :-)

Oh, and I saw your question about dress codes below: it's definitely a casual affair. You might want to bring something nice to dress up in for the Saturday evening gala banquet thing, but it doesn't have to be super-formal like a tux or cocktail dress. I just try to wear something fun and funky that I would rarely have a chance to wear otherwise.

Permalink Reply by Caren Osrin Gittleman on February 18, 2013 at 7:23am

you will be fine.....just be YOU........no need for a "canned intro"......as for parking at another hotel, the other hotel would provide the parking....BlogPaws wouldn't have anything to do with another hotel...

Some people wear business casual, some wear jeans......if you wish to approach brands keep that in mind....."too casual" might not be a good thing....but be comfortable and definitely bring a sweater or sweatshirt.

Chris McNeair said:

I've heard that about the BlogPaws crew. I've been getting some tips on how to network.. the only thing I'm going to have a problem with is giving people a short intro of myself. But I have business cards ready. 

There's an evening gala banquet thing?? Oh my goodness.. I didn't see that on the itinerary.. I'm going to have to bring some paper bags just in case I start hyperventilating...

Fun and funky? Um.. that would be a skirt and a nice top with sandals..

Is anyone else coming from Florida? I'm in the Tampa area.

Does anyone know if the parking will be free since I'm staying at a different hotel?

Also is it okay to write "BlogPaws or Bust" on the back window of my car? =^..^=  

JaneA Kelley said:

Hey, Chris -- the BlogPaws crowd is pretty laid back, and I'm sure you'll have a great time. That said, I was kind of shy and nervous at my first BlogPaws conference, too. Please feel free to ask me any questions you'd like -- my e-mail address is janea@paws-and-effect.com.

Also, if you'd like to interview a very young diabetic cat, my baby Bella (age 10 months, give or take) would be happy to talk with you. :-)

Oh, and I saw your question about dress codes below: it's definitely a casual affair. You might want to bring something nice to dress up in for the Saturday evening gala banquet thing, but it doesn't have to be super-formal like a tux or cocktail dress. I just try to wear something fun and funky that I would rarely have a chance to wear otherwise.

Permalink Reply by Caren Osrin Gittleman on February 18, 2013 at 7:25am

Hi Chris! You won't be seeing YOUR hotel too much.....EVERYTHING takes place at the Hotel where the conference is being held.

Chris McNeair said:

Caren, 

Sorry I couldn't afford the hotel. I'm staying at the Hyatt about 20 minutes away. Everything is pretty pricey in that area.. 100+/nt so the other half hopped on hotwire.com and got us a good deal. I will be there Wednesday night so if anyone is interested in meeting on Thursday morning for breakfast I would love it. 

I get to see some of D.C. and Maryland while I am up there too. 

Caren Osrin Gittleman said:

Hi Chris! You are staying at the hotel where the conference is being held right? Thanks for the info!

Chris McNeair said:

In case anyone hasn't booked their hotel yet, I just got a good deal on hotwire.com for $82/night. I was looking on hotels.com and the hotels directly and it was giving me $100+/night. 

Anyways.. it's getting closer and I'm thrilled to know at least one of my interviewees is going to be there.. Miss Pixel blue eyes.. she just won the trip and 3 nights in the hotel. How awesome.

Will they be handing out any paper bags by chance? I may need one to keep me from hyperventilating.. 

Permalink Reply by Chris McNeair on February 20, 2013 at 4:36pm

oh I plan to crash at my hotel only.. :)  I know it's going to be jam packed.. I will be taking some green tea and honey with me and my camera with plenty of batteries..a storage places for business cards, a pen (or three) to make notes on the business cards and a small notepad for notes. 

I am very excited and not so scared about it anymore.. just nervous. 

Thank you all so much for easing my fears and getting me prepped. 

Permalink Reply by Caren Osrin Gittleman on February 20, 2013 at 4:41pm

You will need at least 200 business cards......and a larger notepad....just sayin......

Chris McNeair said:

oh I plan to crash at my hotel only.. :)  I know it's going to be jam packed.. I will be taking some green tea and honey with me and my camera with plenty of batteries..a storage places for business cards, a pen (or three) to make notes on the business cards and a small notepad for notes. 

I am very excited and not so scared about it anymore.. just nervous. 

Thank you all so much for easing my fears and getting me prepped. 

Permalink Reply by Jodi Chick on April 5, 2013 at 2:18pm

As a newbie last year, I know exactly how you feel. I was awed by the sheer number of pet bloggers there. The good news is that everyone I met there was fabulous and made me feel so comfortable. Anytime I was overwhelmed or hanging back, someone always grabbed me and dragged me into the fold. Plus, don't hesitate to just walk up and introduce yourself!

Still, my awe made led me into a few rookie mistakes that I want to try to avoid this year:

1. Plan to meet people. 

There were a few bloggers that attended Blogpaws last year that I had planned to meet. We tweeted before the conference that we had to meet, we tweeted during trying to catch up and we never did find each other. If thre are bloggers you just HAVE to meet - set a time and a place. Attend a lecture together, plan to sit together at dinner - anything! Otherwise, you just might not connect. There are way more people there than you imagine.

2. Review the sponsor list before you go and make a list of the ones you want to try to connect with. There were so many people there and the brand reps can be busy. If you just wander the show floor (like I did last year) you might end up missing someone you really wanted to meet or work with. 

3. You won't have time to blog (or at least not much).

Sure, we all do social media posting and maybe a few quick posts, but you won't have the time to dig in and create great content. Besides, you've come all that way - the time is better spent meeting your fellow bloggers and having some fun!

Permalink Reply by Teri Thorsteinson-Curlz & Swirlz on April 5, 2013 at 2:34pm

All great advice, Jodi! Looking forward to seeing you again this year!

Permalink Reply by Caren Osrin Gittleman on April 5, 2013 at 4:47pm

that is FABULOUS advice Jodi! I experienced much the same the first year that I went as well. Another good way to be sure you connect with the bloggers that you really are dying to see.......exchange cell phone numbers ahead of time!

Jodi Chick said:

As a newbie last year, I know exactly how you feel. I was awed by the sheer number of pet bloggers there. The good news is that everyone I met there was fabulous and made me feel so comfortable. Anytime I was overwhelmed or hanging back, someone always grabbed me and dragged me into the fold. Plus, don't hesitate to just walk up and introduce yourself!

Still, my awe made led me into a few rookie mistakes that I want to try to avoid this year:

1. Plan to meet people. 

There were a few bloggers that attended Blogpaws last year that I had planned to meet. We tweeted before the conference that we had to meet, we tweeted during trying to catch up and we never did find each other. If thre are bloggers you just HAVE to meet - set a time and a place. Attend a lecture together, plan to sit together at dinner - anything! Otherwise, you just might not connect. There are way more people there than you imagine.

2. Review the sponsor list before you go and make a list of the ones you want to try to connect with. There were so many people there and the brand reps can be busy. If you just wander the show floor (like I did last year) you might end up missing someone you really wanted to meet or work with. 

3. You won't have time to blog (or at least not much).

Sure, we all do social media posting and maybe a few quick posts, but you won't have the time to dig in and create great content. Besides, you've come all that way - the time is better spent meeting your fellow bloggers and having some fun!

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