The Swine of Swag: My First Impression of BlogHer ’09
Published in Widowism by chefswidow
Somehow managed to become a post card model in between blog fights and man invasions
I almost left the BlogHer Conference 6 hours after I arrived in Chicago. My first impression was not a pretty one.
After a very long morning of delayed flights & planes with engine trouble ( 2 xanax for me!) I arrived in Chicago ready to lose my virginity to the great BlogHer conference. I had no idea what to expect being my first conference. I had my volunteer schedule, the speaker/panelist schedule, and the party schedule. When we landed I hopped in the shuttle to find myself riding with a fellow bloggess. She spoke highly of the conferences that she had been to before. My excitement for the weekend away, a weekend surrounded by people who do the same thing I do every day, began to grow.
Because I received a bloghership (a free ride in exchange for some volunteerism) to the conference I had to arrive a day early. There I was in a hotel I had never stayed in before, in a city I had never seen, about to meet a roommate whom I had never met. Interesting times were ahead. That night the roomie and I met up with my Chicago girl, Tempted. We had a fabulous dinner at Publican and then headed back to the hotel for the first night of BlogHer parties. I still exhausted from the delayed flight and length of the day, skipped the first rager for a nap. I set my alarm for the second festivity and closed my eyes.
When I arrived at the party a few hours later, I noticed a herd of women squeezing together so tight it looked like they were in an imaginary corral. Jill and I were standing at the outskirts when we noticed the bags of swag on a table in front of corralled women. It was hot and smelly. Women were pushing and I immediately lost Jill in the madness. I left the debauchery. On my way out I ran into some chicks by the bar and we chatted about the insanity & greed of the women in front of us. It was so odd. All of these women were here for the conference however they were acting as though the $12 dildo in the swag bag would grant them eternal life. The entire experience bummed me out and made me think my entire weekend would be a bunch of crazy ass blitches taking out babies for swag.
It was at that point that I truly considered hoping in a cab and heading home. I didn’t fly to Chicago & leave my kids, husband, and dogs to partake in what seemed like a god damn reality show. Here I was looking to connect with bloggers, with women. I came to the conference with hopes of finding friendship and knowledge, not greed and shame.
But I didn’t leave. I went up to my room, poured myself a glass of Primativo, & took a bath all the while keeping my fingers crossed that the swine of swag would not ruin my experience at my very first BlogHer Con. I decided to give the ‘ole girl a chance.
Looking back, I am SO GLAD that I didn’t leave. Sure there were some crazed mommy bloggers threatening people, talking shit, and punching babies, but there were also some amazing speakers, panelists, and bloggers of the non psycho for swag variety that I was fortunate enough to mingle with.
The weekend away ended up being quite inspirational for me as well as for the future of the Widow. I am an inspired woman with a new dream, a new goal for this blog and that would not be the case had I not attended BlogHer ’09. I am excited to see where all of my new found knowledge and connections will lead me. I look forward to next year’s conference with hopes of change in the swag department and anticipation for the location. New York City baby!
Clap
I’m glad you came to BlogHer. I’m even more glad you stayed and I got a chance to meet you. You are awesome.
I’m going next year for sure!
I was following all this over the weekend. I love that that guy called her out because her reaction was ridiculous. Over free crocs? And, the Nikon hashtag seems rather harsh to me. I know I wasn’t there but several bloggers called her actions very innappropriate.
On to BlogHer 2010!
Shash so glad we got to meet too! I had a blast especially on Saturday hanging out with everyone!
so what’s the story with somone being threatened? that’s crazy and the blog you linked is blocked.
i would love, love to go to blogher next year. i am a lazy blogger but one who has hopes to write more soon.
My fellow “Champagne Harlet”, it was so great to meet you, indulge in a cig, talk blogs, and enjoy the sunshine over the Chicago riverfront. I’m so glad you stayed, and so similarly disgusted by the “swine of swag”, as you so perfectly put it. Even though we run a magazine dedicated to getting “the good life for less”, we were disgusted and barely partook in the free stuff. (Meghan and I combined brought home a single bag of swag.) There are far more of us with class, professionalism, and integrity than the greedy few, so let’s show ‘em who’s boss in NYC. This was my third BlogHer, and though it looked more like a theme park than those I remembered, it was worth it just to meet awesome people like you and attend craft-driven panels like the travel blogging and op-ed sessions. Hoping me and the hubs can make it to your restaurant between now and then. Viva la blogs, bubbly, and fine French food. xo Meliss
I give you a lot of credit for going to this kind of thing solo — and, thankfully it paid off in the end.
Also – Jose and I cannot wait to go to Publican the next time we are in Chicago (this fall)!!
ps – Looved the St. Summer I had the pleasure of sipping last night at the GHT
just lovely*
[...] So I mulled the invitation over the weekend, with the new Blog With Integrity movement and “swine of swag” BlogHer09 talk in the back of my mind. Come Monday I responded to Amanda with a yes because I knew I would give an [...]
[...] kidding. One attendee, blogger Chef’s Widow, almost left just 6 hours into the conference because of the swag-crazed atmosphere. I noticed a [...]
Late to the party, just now seeing this. Couldn’t make it this year, and was seriously considering the food blog conference this fall, now not so sure. Sounds like everything turned out okay though.
I mean come on people, are we here to learning about WRITING or score free stuff. Sheesh. Show some class for chrissakes….
Oh well, my colleagues have introduced an women’s handbags discount online store. They said that price and quality are very good. Can you give me more suggestions?