Blogher 2010, I'm Talking to You!

Blogher 2009 had the theme of "Blogher09 is People". Every time I heard that phrase all I could think of was a quote from the Muppets Take Manhattan, "is frogs, is pigs, is chickens and stuff... is New York!" Oddly, Blogher 2010 is New York.

Now that I am home, sticky with teething biscuit crumbs and out of the bubble that is every Blogher conference (I swear the world could implode on itself and the only way we would know is if it was on Twitter.) I can see beyond "BlogHer is going to hell in a swag bag..." and the bad and the ugly that happened. I see the mistakes that were made and all I want to do now is to fix them. I want to help in any way that I can. I want to make Blogher 2010 even better than it has been in year previous. If all I contribute is the much-needed start to this discussion then so be it.

1. The Networking- In the past, the representatives from the various sponsors at Blogher were generous with the swag but also knowledgeable about social media and what we as a blogging community had to offer. They wanted to work with us and forge new bonds and create breakthroughs in this new media realm. Frankly, it was exhilarating in a kick ass sort of way. This year I found almost none of this. The companies sent reps that sometimes even asked the question, "Oh, are you a blogger?" Huh. I do not want coupons for tires or CD's on clothes. Please refrain from schilling your products. I'm not at a trade show. I do not care about detergent samples either. I just want to form a dialogue with these companies and figure out the best way we can all work together. That is what Blogher is about for me.

2. New Bloggers- I love you! I want you there! We all do. However, BlogHer is not only about collecting loot and reuniting with your online friends only. You are there to learn, network and you can do all that other stuff. That is why this whole conference was created. It is not a Bachelorette party free for all. If you felt lost this year then speak up and let’s start discussing how to make things better for newbies.

3. Old Bloggers- Veterans to the whole shebang might have come off as slightly bitter this year and I can see why. Only in my second year at the conference (my fourth blogging), I consider myself an "old" blogger. A dinosaur if you will. I think Amy said it best on Saturday night and in the most well rounded fashion (please, please, please post on this Amy!) "We were young once too and people frowned upon us. There will always be some new media/technology that comes up and/or someone or something we do not like. We have to respect it though." I am totally paraphrasing but she is right.

When I think of the reasons why I love going to Blogher it is because I am there to network with other bloggers and the companies that want to work with us. I go to learn a few things and to be inspired. I want to hone my craft to a sharp little gleaming point too. Typically, by the time Blogher rolls around I am feeling burnt out. It is just the recharge I need. It is also a perfect chance to have fun, see your friends and revel in this amazing community that we have all created and share daily. It is a beautiful thing Internets and I just want to take it back to its roots. I know we can do it too. We can move beyond the commercialism and saturation that we all just experienced, because if anyone can find a good balance and new way to do things, it is we, bloggers.