If you’ve followed the LTYM trajectory, you know that the first glimmers of inspiration for the entire project derived from my own blogging journey and attending my first BlogHer conference in 2009.
I often make reference to the many friends I’ve made online that became real life friendships–for instance all of the 2011 directors and producers and many from 2012. BlogHer conferences enabled those first meetings–creating a place for all of our blog “pen pals” to come together and bond for a long weekend–and facilitated those friendships along their way.
Wendi Aarons, LTYM: Austin Director, Amy Wilson, LTYM: NYC Director, Me, BlogHer 2011 San Diego
A variety of blog/online conferences exists, but BlogHer remains the conference hub where I can count on seeing the majority of my friends and online peers just once a year, and where I have the chance to finally meet long time blog-crushes and connect with interesting new people to follow.
Laughing very hard with Maggie, Violence Unsilenced founder, at BlogHer 2009 Chicago (I spy @neilochka)
I cannot WAIT for BlogHer 2012 in NYC. Won’t you join me?
You can experience for yourself the thrill of getting to actually hug in person and get to know your bloggy BFFS, while simultaneously gaining tools from creative experts and professionals from virtually every niche of the blogosphere to help you toward your online goals.
Just come.
If you can possibly make it happen, you should experience the phenomenon of spending a weekend with thousands of people who love the The People of The Internet as much as you do. Sit in a room filled with 4000 bloggers and listen to some of your blog heroes read their work at Voices of The Year. Join many of your fellow LTYM alum, fans, and friends at the Open Mic Salon that BlogHer helped LTYM create in 2011, and will co-host again this year.
LTYM feels forever indebted to BlogHer for creating a community where bloggers can gather online at BlogHer.com and in real life at BlogHer conferences, and especially for serving as our very first national sponsor. We are so grateful for BlogHer’s continued support, fostering LTYM’s national expansion. Our casts and communities feel tremendous pride in their affiliation. Because of you, BlogHer, LTYM was born of blogging and so many of us found/rediscovered our creative voices through our blogs. Thank you!!!
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I love the women I have met blogging. They’re friends not quite like any other. And there’s nothing like taking it IRL for a couple of days. I will be at BlogHer with bells on!
Bells are definitely the new black!! Can’t wait to see everyone there!
Just last night, I was saying to my lady-friend that if it weren’t for BlogHer, I would not have plugged into this wild on/off-line community of amazing writers who have inspired me to challenge myself to do things I never thought I’d do. Thank you BlogHer!
Love this! Love BlogHer! Love you!
Ann, thank you so much for this lovely post, and for all of your support over the last few years. When I think of the way you took an idea and ran with it and created your own, dare I say, destiny…well. It’s a dream come true for me and Lisa and Jory to see.
Can’t wait to see you all in New York this August. I can tell you right now, it’s going to be the best BlogHer ever. Mostly because I end up feeling that way EVERY YEAR!!!
:)
Congratulations again, Ann! It’s been so amazing to watch you run with this idea and make it into something so many women can experience in their own hometowns. You’re amazing. See you in NYC!
I’m coming (barring any eventualities)! Looking forward to it!
Feeling very pouty that this is the first year I will not be able to make it. I might have to perform a full-fledged tantrum about it because I will miss seeing all my girls for the first time in three years. Such an amazing event.
Love this post. BlogHer has been such an amazing experience for all of us & I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t see all of our wonderful blogger friends each summer.
Ann, thank YOU for being such a voice of inspiration! I love what you do. xo Lisa
I love BlogHer conferences. I so so so wish I could come this year. Maybe 2013 if it’s in the Midwest again? Yes, BlogHer??
Amen! I love what BlogHer has given me…so excited to see my online pals in August!
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