Oh heyyyyy Are you going to Blissdom this year?
Me too!
I went last year and I have to say it was one of the best experiences I have ever had. It changed me for the better and I met some of the most amazing and inspirational people.
But I was scared to death before I went, the first day and most of the time I was there.
It took me a while to warm up to the idea of walking up to strangers and saying hi, to go say hi to those bloggers I admired, break away from the only people there I knew and go to sessions by myself, etc.
So here is advice, tips, and opinions from MY point of view 🙂
1. Have business cards! I am redesigning mine because I have a new URL and I wanted a cleaner look for them, but this is important! Have your name, blog name, URL, twitter, pinterest etc, email anything you would want people to have. Its a great networking tool.
2. Carry a tote, not a purse during the day. We got Blissdom Totes upon check in to the conference. I used this to carry: My laptop, power cord, camera, phone charger, a sweater, snacks, a bottle of water, wallet, small makeup bag for touch ups, and everything else I need. You dont want to carry a purse during the day….trust me!
3. Know the food situation. I packed snacks in my suitcase for the room and during the day. This is important for a few reasons: 1. I did not want to spend excess money on food. 2. I like to know what I am eating from day to day. The breakfasts are full of great choices, the lunches were good too. I was not a huge fan of the dinners though. The hotel has tons and tons of places to eat from all price ranges if for any reason you dont like any of the food. Look on the website in advance and pick out a few places in case you don’t like what is served. Also the coffee shop is amazeballs. I went at least twice a day 🙂
4. Roommate fun: Its fun and nice to make little gift bags/gifts for your roommates. Some ideas include: snacks, candy, gum, notepads, etc. Even if its people you know it just starts the weekend off right. HINT HINT roomies 🙂 Also with roommates have a shower schedule. My roommates and I last year staggered waking up every 15 minutes depending on who was showering. Its helpful to know who showers at night, in the morning etc. This way you can make sure everyone is ready on time and there is no arguing. Also talk to each other before and find out who is bringing what. You dont need 4 hairdryers, CHI’s, etc. Sharing is Caring.
5. What to go to: In my opinion you should go to what YOU want to go to as far as tracks go. Don’t go to something cause your friend, or roommate is going. If it doesn’t interest you and you dont think you will benefit from it, its going to be a waste of time. My friend/roommate Meghan asked if we go to all 4….you could theoretically go to one of each or last year I went to one thing for half the time then left and went to another. Its all up to you 🙂
6. Clothes: This is a personal choice so I will tell you how I personally dress. Day time I am all about leggings, skinny jeans, boots, flats, TOMs, a Comfy tunic or top and a sweater. Layer up! It could be hot one minute and freezing the next. Be comfortable but cute. At night I wore dresses, tights and flats. I am not a high heel person so I go with sparkly fun fancy flats. Its just me 🙂 Dress in what makes you feel comfortable!
7. Things you do not want to forget: Business Cards, a spiral, phone charger, laptop charger, a camera, camera charger, extension cord, sweaters, snacks, spare room in your suitcase for the swag(trust me here), YOUR SMILE 🙂
Feel free to comment with any questions you may have or email me 🙂 I am no expert just a girl who went last year who felt way unprepared. But loved every single second.
#FTW
See Y’all in Nashville
In the mean time come find me on twitter and say hi 🙂
Yes! Perfect summary! Although the whole ‘carry a tote during the day’ thing is also because you do NOT want to trek back to your room between sessions to grab something you forgot. Same thing with the shoes-COMFY is a must-there is TONS o’walkin to do!!
Hope to see you again this year- I think we only met once last year!
-Kristi
@ Creative Kristi
Thanks for the great advice! I’m Greta @gfunkified, from http://www.notenoughpatience.com. Hope to meet you there (I’m a newbie)!!
Thanks for writing this. I am very excited to be going and every little bit of insider insight helps. Looking forward to meeting you.
My best- Diane
Thank you so much for this! It’s my first Blissdom (and first conference of any kind,) and every time I read someting like this, I get slightly less worried 🙂
(And I’m @angelaamman on twitter!)
One of the best prep articles I have read. I was there last year and you are so right about the tote. I may bring one with wheels this year. The laptop gets pretty heavy. I am Lynda @seamshappy4812 from seamshappy.com. I love your site & look forward to meeting you.
This is incredibly helpful, thank you so much! Getting excited…
I love Nashville, one of my favorite places. Have a blast, can’t wait to read everyone’s post about it.
Great tips! Wish I could go!
Awesome. 🙂 Hadn’t thought about comparing who’s bringing what to the room like hairdryers, etc. Great tip!
I’m looking forward to meeting everyone!! a little scared…. but looking forward to it.
🙂
I’m so glad you posted this because I’ve been having a hard time finding ANY helpful information!!!
This post makes me so sad and happy at the same time! I hate that I don’t get to go this year, but I’ll be SO prepared by the time next year rolls around 🙂
Sounds like fun! Have a good time.
Great tips- thanks so much for sharing! I recently wrote a how to blog post about having an awesome conference experience and I appreciate you’ve hit on different points than I did. (I am a BlissDom Newbie so my post was slightly less BlissDom specific and more general for any conference.)
My favorite tip you shared is putting together a little something special for roommates- what a fun idea! I’m going to see what I can come up with on this front, even if it’s just simple and sweet.
I also agree that packing snacks is helpful! I tend to pack snacks wherever I go- especially as a vegetarian because I never know if the event is going to consider a plain salad with iceberg lettuce a “meal”. (NOT!) I like to pack nuts and dried fruit in case of food emergencies! 😉
Speaking of which, does BlissDom provide dinner or is it just the restaurants at the Gaylord?
Thanks again for the tips! I hope to meet you at BlissDom!
Chrysta
Yes, Yes, Yes! Great advice.
And now I’m contemplating ordering some Toms to wear in NashVegas.
Sounds fun– wish I could’ve gone this year!! Can’t wait to hear all about it. 🙂
This makes me want to go so bad now! I’m hoping to make this part of my budget/plans next year!
Great tips! I have no idea what I’m going to wear. SO wish I could go shopping!
I’m thinking of just doing pen/paper. I don’t really want to take my work computer.
And I guess I better start finding some gifts!
I wish I was going. Next year perhaps! : ]
Hi Neely – great post and very helpful! Hope I get a chance to run into you!
This makes me sadddd, School just gets in the way of me going! I will plan on going next year, for sure!
Neely this post was so insightful and fun! Blissdom sounds awesome and I hope I can attend one year. I love the little gifts for your roomies idea. Have fun!
Thank you for this great post! I am so excited for Blissdom this year
Tammilee
pick out ur outfit yet?
YAY! Great tips, Neely! I cannot wait to hit up the coffee shop with you, ha! I am so excited to check out the scene!
We should definitely start chatting about who is bringing what, etc.
AHHHH!
What a great post! I think it totally gives a great idea of what to expect. Hope you have a blast! Maybe one day I’ll end up at Blissdom!!
Wow, thanks for the info. I’m a local Nashvillian but new to the blogging world and had no idea this was right in my backyard! I will definitely be there and if any one needs shopping or dining ideas, let me know. I’m a self proclaimed expert on both! Can’t wait to meet you all.
That’s where I met you! I recognize the dress 🙂
So excited!! Great post 🙂
-Jordan
This was very helpful–thanks!
I’m going to bring an extra battery for my phone and my battery charger. This way I always have a fully-charged battery.
Great tip about different people bringing hair stuff. It is silly for everyone to bring a hair dryer.
I’ll see you next month!
This will be my first year and this was very helpful.
That picture is all about my forehead… and the wine. FTW!!! We need shirts made…
I’m so jealous!! I wish I could go soooo bad! Maybe next year (fingers crossed). 😉
I am super jealous! I finally decided it was worth the cost and I should go… and then saw that it was sold out.
Hope you have tons of fun and safe travels! 🙂
Nice post, Neely. Hadn’t thought about snacks, but thanks to you, I have. 🙂
Love it! I can’t believe we are 7 weeks away. Squeeeee!
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