I wanted to share some of the fun & photos from BlogHer 12, my first major blogging conference I attended in NYC this summer.  It was always on my “bucket list,” but the stars never quite aligned til this summer, and it was wild.

I joined 5,000 other bloggers in New York for education, networking, and the neatest “Swag Suite” I’ve seen.  Standing in the exhibition hall surrounded by tons and tons of corporate sponsors marketing their latest “stuff” made me realize…mom marketing is REAL!  I’ve believed it for a long time, that the $3 trillion Moms’ market is robust, unlike any other, and that Moms are making buying decisions like never before.  I met lots of amazing women who blog to communicate, to educate, and even to raise awareness for serious issues in our world.  There were a decent number of parenting blogs represented, and I look forward to new Guest Authors this year at The Lounge.  Thanks to the team at Tend/Glam for the mani/pedi party at the “Dashing Diva Lounge” in NYC – who said blogging wasn’t without its perks?

Here are some highlights from the best conference ever…

Star-studded appearances:

  • Surprise welcome via Satellite by President Obama, who let us know that women, including his MIL (mother-in-law) make up 80% of his house; and that he’s glad there are safe & responsible media outlets online.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Luncheon keynote from Katie Couric, one of my media idols, with an advance look at her new show, Katie.  She was a great speaker, and was enthused about incorporating bloggers into her new talk show.  Loved her cover story in Parade magazine and her quote, “Life is a series of reboots.”  Ain’t that the case!?  Here’s a photo my friend Julie D. (MyShinyMonkey) caught of Katie up close:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are more photos from my BlogHer adventure:

From one of my favorite exhibits (love marshmallows, and thought the campsite Wal-Mart and Hershey’s set up, with an author who wrote stories about camp, was genius).

 

 

And more exhibit hall FUN – lots of “mascots” and messages…and companies marketing to MOMS through bloggers.  I hope this opens the door for more information, give-aways, and FUN in the months ahead here at the Lounge.

With the Jamba Juice guy…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Hot Wheels suite…played with the latest “cars,” because “Real Moms Play Cars.” 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being a “PR gal,” I’m always tuned into creative marketing strategies.  This was common but a fun way to spread the word quickly to thousands of people…they had you tweet a picture of yourself at the booth to win something fun.  For example, Stephenie Meyer’s latest book, The Host…

 


Here, with the Jimmy Dean Sunshine man…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrity appearances, like this author of the “Girlfriend’s Guides” Vicki Iovine, representing NovaSure.

 

Blog Her

 

 

 

 

 

 

And cool new products like “VibrAcoustic,” Kohler’s latest creation that puts sound & vibrations in your bathtub – like a rock concert in the tub!

 

mommy blog