With BlogHer '12, HealthMinder Day and Pathfinder Day right around the corner, we've been following along on twitter as you discuss your excitement, fear and interact with our sponsors, each other and us. I really encourage you to follow along with the #blogher12 hashtag on twitter to meet people ahead of time, say hi to your favorite brands and get into the conference vibe. It's informative... and fun!
I love the conference advice and help that's being handed out on twitter right now, so I thought I'd share some trends we're seeing and add in some links where they might help some other people who aren't hashtag watchers.
@hryan19 There's nothing to be nervous about #blogher12 Find a friend, be yourself, don't overly book your schedule, meet people. Enjoy it!
— Nanette @ A Mom Blog (@AMomBlog) July 17, 2012
The advice given is good, especially that not overbooking your schedule thing. Sometimes you're just going to want to sit down with the blogger you met at a table in a panel and listen to her life story. Leave room for that. And, of course, be yourself. We love you just the way you are.
And now a few words on parties.
Not invited to any private parties at #BlogHer12?Just know that the Expo Hall is like a thousand mini private parties all in one place!!
— Alecia Stanley (@savings_steward) July 18, 2012
8 Days! until the People’s Party! The awesome & all official-like kick-off to #BlogHer12 on Thursday 8pm See you there! motherbumper.com/2012/07/6th-an…
— katie (@motherbumper) July 25, 2012
So, point #1: The Expo Hall is amazing. It's filled with the sponsors that make this conference possible -- and they want to interact with you. You can check out all of the sponsors either via our mobile app or the sponsors page on our site. The Expo Hall is open all day during panels, but it's also open during (times) on Thursday night so you can get in do your thing!
Point #2: BlogHer official parties need no RSVP. From the 6th annual People's Party to the new Fashion Show to everything else in between, our party planincludes you. We want you to come dance with us, have a drink and eat the delicious food. We want to kick off our heels with you. Official parties are amazing. Trust us and see you there!
Arriving on Wednesday? Why not attend HealthMinder Day or Pathfinder Day on Thursday? Those involved are going to make it an awesome experience for you!
I'm working on something for Pathfinder Day and I'm finding it to be quite eye-opening! Hope you'll join me and @debontherocks! #blogher12
— Momo Fali (@MomoFali) July 21, 2012
Excited about my upcoming panel @ BlogHer12 HealthMinder Day w/ @lovethatmax and @guavalicious. Details: ow.ly/crGvA#SpecialNeeds
— Marisa Howard-Karp (@Marisa_H_K) July 24, 2012
We do still have room, and the agenda for both paths (HealthMinder here, Pathfinder here) is full of great panels and speakers that might change how you see something or give you the push you need to do something new.
Not sure which panels to attend during regular conference days? Here's some really, really good advice.
@grownandflown Don't miss the Keynotes! VOTY and Intl Activists are moving, inspirational. Celeb panels will be great too. -Momo #blogher12
— BlogHer(@BlogHer) July 20, 2012
And in case you are a #blogher12newbie and are wondering, no, you don't have to sign up for panels.
RT @Anne_Hogan: Don't stress!You don't have to sign up for panels or official #BlogHer12 parties.And sit by me, I'll talk to you.:)
— Chloe Jeffreys (@ChloeJeffreys) July 19, 2012
Just walk right in! Sit down! If it's not a fit, leave and find another one! We want you to make the most of your time at BlogHer '12, and that means the freedom to find that right panel for you at any given time. We've jam-packed our agenda with great speakers and topics. Feel free to float from room to room and glean as much information as you want or can.
A tip I learned in 2010: Follow the Hilton on twitter.
#blogher12 get ready for the Hilton New York and your special #blogher12 offers. We want you to have fun.
— Hilton New York (@HiltonNewYork) July 21, 2012
The hotel staff wants to help you too. So let them!
Are you a photographer? Or an iPhoneographer? Then maybe you want to have a little fun with the #photoadayblogher hashtag and take some fun pictures.
#BlogHer12 is almost here! Ready for some photo-a-day fun?! I give to you #photoadayblogher! Who's in? instagr.am/p/NMEk4MtROJ/
— Jenny Ingram (@jennyonthespot) July 17, 2012
That said, also look up and use the #blogher12 hashtag on Instagram. I've already met some great new people because they've been sharing photos! It's great to "see" people before you run into them on the conference floor!
And, of course, there's this point:
Squeezing a mini vaca with my family before #blogher12 And then our summer fun is done... :)
— ~✿~❀~hali~❀~✿~ (@daytodayMOMents) July 25, 2012
For many of us, BlogHer '12 will be a last hurrah to Summer 2012. Let's make the most of it, shall we?
Speaking for myself, I am SO excited. I can't wait to see you there and help you in any way that I can, and I know the rest of the Events staff is ready to make your conference rock so hard. Please don't hesitate to reach out to @BlogHerEvents at any time, between now and then and after, with any questions you may have about the conference, the hotel, or what have you. We're here to help and to make this conference your best one ever.
See you soon!
Family/Moms & Events Section Editor Jenna Hatfield (@FireMom) blogs at Stop, Drop and Blog and The Chronicles of Munchkin Land. She is an editor, writer and photographer.