Time flies, doesn't it? It seems like just last year we were busy getting ready for the 2011 BlogPaws social media conference, planned for Tysons Corner, VA. We were talking with our sponsors and planning our contests and looking at the hotel for its pet friendliness (walking areas, where people could take pets, and which rooms were off-limits to pets).
Hey, wait a minute! It was a whole year ago! And we had the conference and it was full of laughter, learning and living! Despite a hurricane! OMG!
Now, were in serious planning for our June conference which will be held in Salt Lake City, UT. I hope you're registered! Early bird pricing ends in less than two weeks!
Getting ready for BlogPaws 2012 involves a lot of behind the scenes prep, which I would love to share but which would just bore you to pieces! Talk, talk, talk... plan, plan, plan...revise, revise, revise. That's what we do. And, then we take a nap. BOL!
In the meantime, we also keep our ears open to your requests. We watch the community to try and stay on top on the questions or concerns folks post there. We look at travel options, weather, food, and what to do in the area. This is the best time to start planning for a roommate. Or, a trip with a small group - who doesn't like to go on road trips? With their pets? Seriously!
A big part of planning is scheduling the agenda and vetting speakers. We're talking with some truly talented and smart people in the social media educational/consulting world - people eager to bring their expertise to BlogPaws to work with our bloggers. Remember - twitter and facebook are also a form of blogging - we call them microblogging. Everyone who uses social media tools is, for BlogPaws' purposes, a blogger. It may be stretching the term a bit, but we embrace all people who love pets and converse online - whether they 'blog' in the traditional sense, or not.
If you have ideas to share, now is the time to get them in front of us. If you have concerns, share them so we can do our best to take care of them - well ahead of the actual conference. If you have questions, don't hesitate to write to one of us. If we don't have the answer off the top of our heads, we'll work till we figure it out.
BlogPaws isn't for us - the BlogPaws' players (our executive team and Paws on the Ground folks) are here to serve you. BlogPaws exists to teach bloggers - those pet people who spend a lot of time online - how to be better bloggers, whatever that may mean to them. We also work to support our members who are devoted to shelters and rescues, because we are too!
It's our belief, at BlogPaws, that the world is a better place with pets in it. Not only do they make us healthier, they give us unconditional love. To that end, we believe in sharing information, teaching, learning, partnering, advising, and sometimes scolding (who among us doesn't want BSL overturned, everywhere?)... in order to create a world where the heatlh and welfare of our pets is as important as the health and welfare of ourselves and our planet. After all, we're all part of the same family - aren't we? We all live on the same planet.
I hope to see you in June. I know I will learn from all of you - probably more than you'll learn at the dozens of sessions we are planning for you. Learning is an on-going process and from my perspective it isn't something you only do sometimes - it's something you do every day. If I can qualify what I learned in 2011 - from all of you, in one word, it's "listen."
I am practicing better listening skills.
What did you learn in 2011 - from BlogPaws or elsewhere - that is putting on the right path for 2012? Do tell!
So excited for 2012 and all the future holds for BlogPaws and beyond. Utah here we come!
Posted by: Carol Bryant | 01/03/2012 at 11:52 AM
Good article, well said. Unfortunately it doesn't look personally all that positive for a repeat attendance for SLC. But it's June so a lot might happen between now & then.
I just encourage any pet bloggers trying to decide if you should , if it is worth it, if you will learn anything you don't already know......and the answer to all of these questions is YES! You should go, it is way worth it, and you will not only learn but you will meet people (and pets) as well.
It's a good thing to do for yourself & your furbabies.
Posted by: AdoptedMomToChazzThe Dog | 01/03/2012 at 04:06 PM
BlogPaws 2011 was a most valued (albeit abbreviated due to Irene) experience for me.
There were too many high points to list but the learning never ended, the meeting in person and bonding with those bloggers that I admire (and some who I met as a result of BlogPaws) is something that you cannot attach a price to.
Soooo looking forward to SLC and Barb (above) you had BETTER be there!
Posted by: Caren Gittleman | 01/03/2012 at 04:40 PM
I have loved my experiences with the two BlogPaws conferences I have attended. My favorite part? The connection with people that I have so much in common with. Of course, all my suggestions recently are about BlogPaws 2013 with the #MOBlogPaws posts on Sebastian's blog. :)
Posted by: BoSoxAmy | 01/03/2012 at 09:09 PM
I've learned a lot from BlogPaws, and would encourage everyone to attend. I agree with Amy, one of the best things is the personal connection you make with people who have similar interests.
As much as I would love to attend, as well as explore Salt Lake City, I don't think monetarily it's in the cards this year.
Posted by: Michelle Maskaly | 01/04/2012 at 05:11 AM
Thanx Caren, especially for the positive support. I took a step this afternoon towards trying to get closer to SLC. We will see what works out. But either way I am grateful for your friendship...which never would have happened without BLOGPAWS 2011.
Smiles& HUGS...AdoptedMomToChazz aka Barbara
Posted by: AdoptedMomToChazzThe Dog | 01/05/2012 at 05:13 PM
Blogpaws has always helped me in learning things about my social life. 2011 was a good year for blogpaws.
Posted by: Henry Garcia | 03/21/2012 at 07:17 AM