Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending BYBC2015 in Salt Lake City. This was the second year in a row that I attended BYBC and I had such a BLAST and this year was even better than last.
In this post, I wanted to share the highlights of the conference for me and give a few tips for newer bloggers who may never have gone to a blogging conference before.
First of all, I am from the Chicago area so I, of course, had to fly to the conference. And let me just say that some may wonder why I’d go all the way to Utah for a blogging conference when surely there must be some decent conferences closer by.
Well my logic is that, if you want to learn how to act: go to Hollywood or Broadway. If you want to learn to surf; go to Hawaii. But if you want to learn to blog; go to Utah, because that is the blogging capitol of the country…..or something like that! And believe me, this logic is not wrong because BYBC is filled with amazing bloggers. Many of whom I am happy to call my friends. 🙂
So right away on my flight out of Chicago, I met Gayle from Pumpkin n’ Spice. Gayle and I have been commenting back and forth on each other’s blogs for some time now so it was great to meet her in person.
Once I arrived on Thursday night the party really got started! The conference was at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City and right when I arrived, I joined a group of fantastic ladies for a dinner at the Hotel’s “Coffee House” And we all got to work passing around business cards, introducing ourselves and inputing all of our social media links. As you can see from the pictures, bloggers are always on their smart phones at conferences!
The room I stayed in had an absolutely stunning view of the Salt Lake skyline and mountains. Coming from Chicago I am not used to seeing mountains in my life so I soaked up every moment of this natural beauty!
And I was amazed by how warm it was in SLC in February. When I left Chicago, it was -28 degrees wind chill. When I arrived in SLC, spring was literally in full bloom. Look at those flowers behind me!! All the locals said this was quite unusual in February for Utah.
I was fortunate to room with these great gals in the picture below: Kara from Creations by Kara whom I also roomed with last year, and Leah from Fabulous Farm Girl.
Now, I have noticed that there are probably three different camps of ideas about what to do about the “rooming situation” when going to a blog conference. I noticed that some decide they would prefer to be by themselves, others are comfortable rooming with people they already know well and others throw caution to the wind and room with whomever they can find.
Now obviously, you need to do what you feel most comfortable doing but in my opinion, some of the best educational moments of my trip have come from my late night gab sessions with my roommates. I am of the thought that if I am going to spend the money and time flying several states away that I am going to make the most of my time by meeting and talking with as many people as I can.
Kara, Leah and I literally gabbed until 3 in the morning the first night (I blame them by the way….;) Was I tired the next couple days? Heck yeah!! But it was worth it because when else will I get to hang out with them?? We had a blast all weekend going shopping, out to eat, gabbing. I even got Leah to go swimming with me in the indoor/outdoor pool on the last night even though she thought the water was too cool…..what a trooper!! (It was such a blast!!)
Anyway, everyone will make up their own mind about the rooming situation, but to me, I have to remember why I am here: to meet people. I can sleep when I get home! 😉
Speaking of networking and meeting people, another great thing about BYBC is that there are a lot of great bloggers at the conference, and they are all super friendly and approachable.
I met Trish from Mom on Time out last year and I was thrilled to get to talk to her again last weekend. Her blog has been a long time favorite of mine long before I started blogging myself and she is just the sweetest gal!!
Another great thing about BYBC are the classes that they offer. I have heard that at other conferences people don’t even attend the classes because they aren’t that good. But the classes at BYBC are packed and the speakers are excellent! The first class I attended was a social media class by Amanda Rettke of I Am Baker, another one of my blogging heroes! Amanda is a great speaker and really knows her subject well. I learned all kinds of new ways from her on how to utilize and make the most of social media.
One of the most powerful classes I saw over the weekend was given by my good friend and blogging mentor, Bonnie Andrews from Hobby to Hot (center in the photo below). I met Bonnie last year and have been working closely with her for several months. I even had the privilege of sharing a bit of my experience of working with her with her audience, highlighting the fact that through following her advice, I was able to triple my page views in three months! ( I will have a separate post on how I did that next week!)
Bonnie’s message and story was so powerful and inspirational, I don’t know anyone who left her class without a changed understanding about the potential blogging can have in our lives!
Below is a link to Bonnie’s inspiring blogger’s program
The picture below is my friend, Emily from “That’s What I Eat“, Bonnie and myself.
For me, the best part about the conference was reconnecting with women I met last year and making new friends as well. Look at this great group of ladies that I got to have fun with last weekend!!
From the right is Bonnie Andrews from “Hobby to Hot“, Emily Allen from “That’s What I Eat” who I worked with in Bonnie’s course for the past several months and finally got to meet. Next to me is Kiersten Dewey from “Nanny Goat” who was one of my room mates from last year. I was so thrilled to get to hang out with her again.
Then there is Marie Poulson and Becky Thayn, two of the gals from “The Mama’s Girls” who I also met last year. The Mama’s Girls are just the sweetest gals ever and Marie is not only a riot, but can really “cut a rug” out on the dance floor! 😉 And having the horrible memory that I have, I cannot remember the gal’s name on the far left…..can anyone help me out???
One of the things I love about BYBC is how super friendly everyone is. You can literally go without knowing a soul and leave with having met 30-40 of the nicest people ever!
One of the best nights for me was being invited by the Mama’s Girls for a dinner at the historic “Lion House”.
Even though I was a bit late (because I didn’t know where I was going and foolishly thought SLC was just like Chicago where I could go out and “hail a cab” ha, ha!!!) The Mama’s girls saved me a seat at their table where I not only got to spend some quality time with them, but I got to meet another great group of gals from “My Mommy Style”. They shared that they just had one of their recipes published in People Magazine! How cool is that!?!
In the picture below is Laurel, Becky and Alli from “The Mama’s Girls“, Camille, Janae, and Melissa from “My Mommy Style“, myself and Marie from “the Mama’s Girls”.
The food was great, the company was great and I was in an historic building. What more could I ask?!
After the dinner, I went around to see the sights of SLC. The Temple is simply amazing. This incredible building does not seem like something that is in America. It looks like a cross between a European cathedral and castle don’t you think?
Below is Leah (Fabulous Farm Girl ) and I in front of the reflecting pool of the Temple.
I think it’s even a better view at night! The picture below is of me and Lori Hart from “Lori’s Culinary Creations” at the top of the Joseph Smith Building. Breathe taking isn’t it!!
In short, BYBC ’15 for me was all about having fun with friends, both new and old, learning how to grow my blog and making great memories.
I have to say that despite all the pics I have in this post, I really did not take enough photos. I met so many others who I simply did not get pictures of. My roommates and I even got all dolled up for the gala and realized later that we didn’t take a single picture.
The picture below is of my fun roommates, Kara (Creations by Kara) , Leah (Fabulous Farm Girl)and I just goofing around.
Oh well, I may not have pictures of everything, but my memories will always be there!!
Bye, bye friends, I’ll “see” you on the internet….till next year!! 🙂
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
Sounds like you had a great time! It really is a fun conference with nice people! I can’t wait to watch the classes I missed! So much good information this year!
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! recently posted…Baked Lemon Poppy Seed Donuts
Renee says
I can’t wait to watch the classes too Amber! It was great to meet you this time! Good luck with your baby-to-be!! 🙂
Kara says
So glad I got to room with you again this year! It is so much fun to spend time with other women that are so talented and fun! I didn’t know Trish was there, you’ll have to introduce us next time. Love her!
Kara recently posted…Five Lessons I Learned At BYB 2015
Renee says
Oh my gosh Kara. I had so much fun with you this year! I am still on “conference high”!! I can’t believe you missed Trish, she was sitting in the front of Amanda’s class!! Next time we’ll stalk her together!! 😉
Kristi @ MySFKitchen says
Looks like a great time!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Renee says
Thank you Kristi! It is such a blast. You should come out next time!! 🙂
marcie says
This conference sounded like so much fun, and it would be nice to meet so many other bloggers! Maybe I can make it next year!
marcie recently posted…Roasted Beet Citrus Salad with Blood Orange Vinaigrette
Renee says
YES Marcie!! I will work to recruit you AND Kristi K. (IK) and we will all have such a BLAST!!!! 🙂
Sarah@ Whole and Heavenly Oven says
So wishing I could have gone this year! It looks like you gals had an absolute blast!
Sarah@ Whole and Heavenly Oven recently posted…Biscuit Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
It sounds like you had a great time! I love blogging conferences – it’s good to learn so much, but most of all meet some amazing people.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Giving Up Alcohol by Dannii
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
What a great recap, Renee! Looks like you had a blast visiting Salt Lake City!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Asparagus Onion Ring Salad
Renee says
It was awesome! So glad I got to meet you! 🙂
Emily says
I’m still on a conference high, too! I think it’s hard to explain to other people just what a conference like this is like, but wow, what a great thing!
Emily recently posted…Build Your Blog Conference Recap
Renee says
I agree Emily, it is hard to explain….you just have to experience it for yourself! I had SO much fun hanging out with you!! 🙂
Renee recently posted…Mint Oreo Refrigerator Dessert
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Looks like you had a blast! I would love to make it next year!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen recently posted…Homemade Pretzel Rolls
mira says
What a great recap post Renee, so glad you had great time at the conference! Wishing I could have gone this year 🙂
Kelly says
Loved your recap and pics, Renee! Looked like so much fun! So glad you had a great time 🙂
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Renee, looks like you had a blast!!! I found out about this conference too late but definitely one I will think about for next year! can’t wait to find out how you tripled your page views in three months!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Fennel Apple Salad
Marie says
I hadn’t seen your recap of the conference yet. It made me SO excited for next year! Keep ’em coming!
Renee says
Oh my gosh Marie! BYBC was SO much fun, I can’t WAIT for next year!!