I’m back from Vegas and don’t even know where to begin! First off, let me tell you a little about Blogalicious ’12. ” The annual Blogalicious Weekend is THE go-to destination for influential, multicultural women and social media enthusiasts, from all over the world to collaborate, connect and uplift one another. Blogalicious Weekend is not just a conference; it’s a celebration.”
I had never been to a blogger’s conference- but I had high expectations just from chatting with the other bloggers who have been in the past (like my FB friends Sharelle and Jai) and from observing the back & forth on the Be Blogalicious FB page. I was not disappointed! I arrived in Vegas early Friday morning, bright-eyed & bushy-tailed…well, not exactly, as I’d only had 3 hours of sleep… but I was pretty amped up! I took the shuttle to our fabulous hotel, The Red Rock Casino and Spa, and marched right into the registration area. I received my name badge and a sweet swag bag! Next stop was the sponsor’s area where I got to meet a few of the other bloggers and talk to a few of the sponsors themselves. (Had to get a pic of the sign with all the sponsor’s logos on it!)
I was super excited to meet the staff of Que Rica Vida, I would love to work with them in the future. They were interested in hearing about my food blog, This Mama Can Cook! Keep your fingers crossed that they will contact me.
Kellogg’s was there stressing the importance of breakfast, and passing out cereal. Boiron was another brand that I totally love! Their Chestal cough syrup is the only one my child will take!! Nature Made Vitamins were there passing out supplements and educating us all. I received a big bottle of Eucerin Professional Repair lotion that I have been tearing up since I returned home & I swear my hands look smoother and younger!! Score!!!!
Next on the agenda was lunch- the casino put out quite a spread for us, complete with desserts:
We ate well everyday- a little too well. lol!
The main reason I was at the conference was to learn all I could about blogging. The sessions were jam-packed with info, I learned so much and had fun doing it. The presenters had all put a lot of time and effort into preparing for the conference and I really appreciate that.
One of the presentations I really enjoyed was the panel discussion about Box Tops for Education. I have been clipping Box Tops since 1998, but I had no idea how much they actually donate to schools every year. Box Tops for Education has helped schools across the US earn $475 MILLION dollars since 1996!! Isn’t that amazing?! I was flabbergasted by that number. The panel was very informative and shared tons of ideas on how we can each help our schools earn much needed funds through Box Tops. I have already contacted our school’s coordinator and am looking forward to hearing back from them. I am on fire for Box Tops right now and want to help our schools earn as much as possible. With that being said- if you have Box Tops you do not want, please donate them to a nearby school… or to me!!
Yes, that is Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, of the group TLC, up on the stage! I loved hearing that she clips Box Tops for her child’s school. She was eloquent and a real sweetheart…not to mention a natural beauty!
The conference organizer’s kept us real busy with sessions, but they also made sure to include lots of fun activities for us. There was a tea party, a trip to the strip, a sweet pool party sponsored by McDonald’s (complete with a DJ, manicures, massages and mini makeovers!). I was lovin’ it!
I reached out to several companies prior to the conference, hoping to get some goodies donated that I could pass out to the other bloggers in attendance … sorta like an ice-breaker. To my amazement, three wonderful companies hooked me up with treats for the ladies!! I want to give a big thank-you to The Protein Bakery, out of New York! They shipped me a huge box full of their yummy, kosher (and healthy!) cookies! The ladies devoured them and could not get enough!
I also have to give a big Thank You to Fairytale Brownies, from my old Arizona stomping grounds! Fairytale Brownies are legendary in AZ, and for a very good reason- they are delicious! The women were so excited to receive the Magic Morsels, (bite-size brownies) that I was handing out. A few of them even told me they knew all about Fairytale Brownies!
One more shout-out is in order, and that goes to Great American Cookies in Las Vegas! Friday night, after the pool party, I returned to my room and had a message on my phone. The front desk told me I had a delivery waiting for me. It was a giant Cookie Cake! When I placed this out for the ladies the following day- it was gone in minutes! (I didn’t even get to taste it!)
The fact that little old me, could get 3 companies to donate goodies for the conference is remarkable! I had never done anything like that before and I must say it made me feel very good to be able to pass out treats to all my new blogger friends! Please visit the three companies that helped me out, they were very generous with their goodies and I will be forever grateful to them! You can best believe I will be ordering from them all in the future!
I was blown away by both the sessions I attended and all the fun activities the Blogalicious ’12 staff put together for us. We had a bowling party in the VIP suites, (sponsored by The American Cancer Society), a movie screening of the new Viola Davis movie, “Don’t Back Down,” and there was even a chance to give back to the community. Bloggers helped beautify a local school playground early Sunday morning.
And there was THIS!
Our very own private Doug E. Fresh concert, sponsored by Gain!!
We had to redesign a Gain tee that was given to us earlier in the day… here’s what I did with mine and a small zebra print plastic bag I had received that day… Oh and about one million staples!
Not bad, huh?! It was good enough to earn me a spot as one of the top ten finalists! I got to go up on stage and take my picture with Mr. Fresh himself! I grew up with Dougie’s music- so I was quite a happy camper at the end of the night! He put on quite “The Show!”
Before I close – (I could literally go on and on about the conference, but I need cook dinner!) I want to make one last observation. I honestly did not know what to expect from the other attendees. I did not know any of them personally. You always hear such bad things about women, there are so many derogatory stereotypes associated with us. Would they like me? Would they talk to me? Would they be catty towards each other? People are always talking about how women can’t work together- can’t even be in the same room with each other… well I am here to say that is all BS! I was welcomed with open arms…literally, by many of the ladies! Women I did not know came up to me, “Are you Mommy Powers?! So glad to finally meet you!” It was awesome! Everyone got along- everyone was there to learn more and help each other out. We truly are a community of wonderfully talented women (and men!) and this weekend was so uplifting and awe inspiring! These ladies were fantastic- they shared their knowledge with each other… we were all on the same page. It was so good to be around like-minded people, good people who care about more than just themselves. People that are willing to help each other and mentor each other. I am proud to be a member of the Blogalicious family and I look forward to building on the friendships that were created and working with many of the ladies I met. And of course, I’m ready for the next Blogalicious conference!!
PS- I want to thank everyone who made Blogalicious ’12 possible, the organizers, the presenters, the sponsors and all the brands. Big thanks to the Red Rock and lastly, big thank you to my Cuddie- Donita for going with me and making this trip even that much more enjoyable!
