{"id":10983,"date":"2015-07-28T02:17:33","date_gmt":"2015-07-28T06:17:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/verastic.com\/?p=10983"},"modified":"2015-07-28T00:55:55","modified_gmt":"2015-07-28T04:55:55","slug":"blogher15-recap-my-best-blog-conference-yet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/verastic.com\/site\/personal\/blogher15-recap-my-best-blog-conference-yet.html","title":{"rendered":"BlogHer15 Recap: My Best Blog Conference Yet"},"content":{"rendered":"

Considering that this is only my second conference, I know it’s hard to explain, but let me try to explain. First, let me tell you about last year’s conference. Let me tell you the difference between Vera circa 2014 and Vera circa 2015:<\/p>\n

Circa 2014:<\/strong> When I went to the BlogHer14 conference last year, it was my first time and I did not know what to expect. At all. I did not have any friends or acquaintances, and I did not know if I would even make any friends. I went there with a ton of business cards and I practically gave everything away before I came home. I also collected just as many business cards, if not more. Before the conference, brands would reach out to you to request “meetings,” and they’re not always necessarily brands that are sponsors of the conference. When they reached out to me last year, I made arrangements to meet every one of them. I was running from pillar to post trying to meet with everyone. And you know how many long-term relationships I developed from those meetings? Zero. I did meet two \u00a0very wonderful ladies: Nichole from New York and Juliet from Atlanta.<\/p>\n

Vera Circa 2015:<\/strong> I went with more cards than I did last year, not because I intended to hand them all out, but because I happened to print out a lot more than I did last year — and it was great that I printed so many because I took them for the Blogalicious Pop Up Event in Baltimore<\/a><\/strong>, which wasn’t planned for. This year, however, I gave out probably about 30 to 35 business cards during the whole conference, and I collected even less. But guess what? I made wayyyy more connections this year. This year, I was conscious about who I was spending time talking to. I went with a more focused agenda. I knew exactly what I wanted to accomplish. How many brands did I have those special “meetings” with? Zero. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t meet with brands, and it doesn’t mean I don’t have future business with them. I don’t know how many will pan out to be mutually beneficial relationships – long or short – but I know for sure that I have more prospect this year.<\/p>\n

Last year, I got to be in a round table conversation hosted by StayFree. It was video taped and I enjoyed the experience thoroughly. This year, however, I got to be on a panel hosted by Prudential. There were about 40 to 50 people listening to us, and after the conversation, there were questions and answers. It was video taped, too. I felt so at home at that panel. I had my microphone and my glass of water, and I felt like I was born to do this. You know it’s not real until you have your own microphone and a glass of water. I. Loved. It. [Picture below].<\/p>\n

\"BlogHer15\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I also got to watch the first episode of Grandfathered, a new comedy coming to FOX in the Fall. I’ll tell you more about it later in details. I met up with Juliet and Nichole from last year, and I made new friends this year. The conference is a lot more enjoyable when you have friends, or at least acquaintances. We were able to coordinate where we were going next, and we were able to save seats for one another. It’s such a relief because there are thousands of people at the conference, so it’s always a plus to have someone who has your back. I’m looking forward to continuing long relationships with these ladies.<\/p>\n

I was not as active on social media this year as I was last year. This year, I really wanted to enjoy the moment and soak everything in. Ava DuVernay was the keynote speaker on the last day of the conference, and I really liked her attitude. She was so poise and confident and strong, the way I love to see women. Gwyneth Paltrow was there on the first day, but she was not really my cup of tea. I couldn’t connect with her, which is totally okay. You won’t ever connect with everyone. Generally,\u00a0I just loved this conference.<\/p>\n

Oh, at the close-out party sponsored by McDonald’s, Boyz II Men was there, and they still sound good. They sang all the old songs we grew up with like On Bended Knee<\/em> and End Of The Road<\/em> and I’ll Make Love To You<\/em> (videos below).<\/p>\n

\n
\n
<\/div>\n

Meanwhile, Boyz II Men @boyziimenofficial is happening!! Oh, my God, memories. I should take my panties off. Don’t tell my mommy #BlogHer15 #Verastic<\/a><\/p>\n

A video posted by Vera Ezimora (@verastic) on