There is so much to share…so much to the conference it’s impossible to get it all into one post. I’ve already written a bit about the sightseeing in Myrtle Beach pre-conference, about all the Cool Cats and Gear that were there, as well as a few favorite photos from early on. I tried to share on social media too, so you might have seen some of that if you follow us. Yet there’s still much more.
There was more sightseeing, classes where I learned a lot, inspiring keynote speakers, lots of dogs, brands with interesting products, and of course meeting many new and old blogging friends. I’ll hit a few more highlights and maybe even have more to share in future posts.
Sightseeing
There was more than just the beach itself; we visited two other local sights. Broadway at the Beach is a collection of interesting sights, shops, and restaurants. Auntie Sheryl and I enjoyed a lot of walking, shopping, and had an excellent lunch.
We also visited Brookgreen Gardens (which I found out later is NOT pet friendly, though that wasn’t an issue for us since we were dog-less), where there was a small zoo and beautiful grounds with sculpture gardens. It was all very pretty, the zoo had sculptures of the different animals as well. My favorite was their limited time “Ribbit the Exhibit”, a collection of copper frogs by artist J. A. Cobb of North Carolina.
Keynote Speakers
Both Kathleen Gage and Jay Baer, marketing strategists and consultants, were educational and inspiring. I was impressed with the way they could make their messages suited to pet blogging, and wove stories of their own pets into their speeches.
The truth is, most times BlogPaws COE (Chief of Everything) Chloe DiVita was speaking, she was very inspiring as well. All of her speeches made me want to do and be more, and proud to be a pet blogger and part of that community. BlogPaws and their partners gave away an amazing amount of money to different pet causes; local Myrtle Beach groups and many that were favorites of pet bloggers.
Classes
There are so many classes available on a wide range of subjects. It’s hard to pick and choose. I had two favorites: “What are you Worth in 2017? And How to Make Brands Believe It!”, taught by the lovely ladies from blogs A Dog Walks Into a Bar and Sarcastic Dog. I learned so much about what brands are looking for in blogs they want to work with, and I hope it will help me to be able to bring more new products to my readers.
On the technical side, “SEO for the Beginner”, taught by Jill Caren of 2 Dogs Media, was a very worthwhile class. Here I learned how to (hopefully) bring more traffic to my website.
At times it can be a bit overwhelming to know all the things I need to do better, but on the other hand, I feel more educated and equipped to handle it.
Brands
There are many, many brands at the conference, and I was searching for just a few that I felt would be a good fit for my pets and this blog. I found at least three that I will be pursuing, and I hope to be sharing these brands with you in the future!
Nom Nom Now – fresh, human grade dog food delivered right to your door.
Herbsmith – herbal supplements and healthy treats for your dogs and cats.
Treatibles – Hemp dog chews. I am very interested in the benefits of cannabinoids for dogs, especially when it comes to helping with anxiety and joint issues. This is becoming a big thing, and I have been wanting to learn more.
Friends
Last, but certainly not least, is meeting blogging friends (human and dog), old and new. I met quite a few this year that I did not meet in Nashville two years ago. There are too many to name, but I was happy when the conference was over that I got to meet most of the people I had hoped to. I have found out after the fact that I did miss some, but it’s tough! There are a lot of people there, and if you don’t know exactly what someone looks like, it can be easy to miss some. Socializing is not easy for me, but when you meet people that you have so much in common with, it makes it much easier.
Dogs
For someone who had to leave her dogs at home, it was so important to me to be able to see lots of dogs at the conference and get some love and kisses! I could be seen stalking my favorite golden retrievers many times.
With so much going on, I honestly didn’t get all the photos I should have. I deliberately brought my good camera in the hopes of doing better, but still missed a lot! I imagine each conference you go to, you learn a bit more, and do things differently at the next. Since this was only my second conference, I’m still in that learning process!
It was such a blessing to finally meet you. I will do my best to get to Kansas in 2018
Sound like a fun productive time.
What a great time and beautiful sites.
It looks like you got to see a lot of Myrtle Beach which I wish we could have. We stayed until Monday but Sunday was spent at a HUGE development looking into retirement properties. Which it’s looking like we will. You are so right about getting overwhelmed which is why mom took it easy at this conference, less sessions, less stressing out trying to meet people and more relaxing. Love Dolly
That’s exciting that you were looking at retirement properties; if you retire there you’ll have plenty of time to see the sights. 🙂
I tried to go a little easier on the classes and stuff too, and only visited brands I was really interested in. In Nashville I spent way too much time in classes; so I tried to do it a little differently this time, but it still turned out to be a lot!
How fun to meet the pups from some of the blogs you follow. (Oh, uh, and their people too.) Of course, I’m like you – not the best at socializing, and since I don’t work w/ brands for my blog I’ve never been to BP but it sounds like you had a great time. Will hopefully catch your future post about the Treatables since we are always looking for things to help with Rita’s anxiety on long road trips.
It’s so fun to meet the pups….no stress or pressure there. 🙂
I’ll try to remember to let you know when I do the post on those treats. I’m still recovering from the trip and trying to get organized at this point! 🙂
It was so nice seeing you at the conference! There really is so much going on all the time it’s hard to keep up. Looks like We both loved the same sessions!
Love & biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
I’m so glad we got to meet this time, Cathy! I missed a lot of people in Nashville (like you), so I was determined not to let that happen again this year. 🙂
As I told Jen earlier, I’m still bummed-out that I couldn’t make it! But it wasn’t meant to be, so I’ll just live it vicariously through your and other folks’ photos and blog posts.
Looks like you all had a wonderful time! Not really being into the technical side – or for that matter the monetizing – of blogging, I don’t know that I would have spent much time on those sessions; but I do love meeting people with interests and life experiences similar to my own. So I’d have been that “social butterfly”. Or maybe Maxine pounding the escape button on the computer, wondering why I hadn’t been transported somewhere. LOL Sometimes I don’t even know which I’ll be at any given moment.
Anyway, maybe next time BP is closer to home. (((SIGH)))
I think you would have had a great time even if you weren’t interested in the business aspects of blogging. I’ll hold you to that “next time”! 🙂
It’s always a whirlwind, but a good one! It’s awesome you have a friend to travel with and you could make a mini vacation out of it all too.
Since I don’t vacation much otherwise, since my hubby doesn’t care to much, it works out perfectly!
What a fun post! Because the mom didn’t get to BlogPaws until Friday, she missed some of the good stuff…and spent most of her time catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.
Most times I saw your Mom she was surrounded by friends…that’s the perfect way to spend a good part of the conference! Classes and speeches can be missed, but not friends!
Looks so amazing! (And such a beautiful area.) I’m glad you enjoyed yourself and I really need to start looking up events like this!
It’s a great opportunity; you should definitely try to go. It really helps so much to grow your blog. And it’s fun too, and a good excuse for a mini-vacation!
BlogPaws was quite the experience, not to mention fun!
We always feel the same way after the conference. It is difficult to concentrate on photography with so much going on! Pierre thinks the dog with the frog looks like him. LOL!
That dog does look like Pierre! I wonder how he would like being walked by a frog? LOL
I was so glad to meet you! I feel like I didn’t convey that accurately because I was a bit of a mess and rushing around. I love the other local pictures you shared. Besides my ill-planned jaunt to the beach (I took someone else’s “advice” and walked a couple miles each way instead of a couple blocks … I met you the first time right after I got back and I was dehydrated and grumpy) – I didn’t get to look around and enjoy. Missing the forest for the trees 🙂 Can’t wait to see the newest pictures of your chicks!
Chick photos coming on Tuesday – really this time! I had planned some for this past week, but found I had too much to share about the conference which took up an extra day of posts! Plus just getting caught up on everything at home took more time than I thought.
I am so glad we got to meet too. Sorry I caught you at a bad time the first time – but I had already seen you several times and was determined we would get to meet! 🙂
I do wish we’d gotten to talk more though, but it’s so tough at something like that. There’s so much going on.
You did a great job recapping this amazing weekend. I love that photo of Jen, I had her phone and was trying to snap photos, but I didn’t have that angle.
You also hit two of my favorite sessions, and I hope to implement a lot of what I learned, (that will take some time.)
It was super cool hanging out with you, and I’m glad we got the opportunity.
It’s tough to get photos in that kind of lighting and from that distance, even with a good camera! I had a few blurry ones and got lucky that at least one came out halfway decent.
I need time to really put all I learned to work as well. It seems like I just spent this whole week trying to get caught up on everything else, plus starting to get the gardens planted. But I will get to it! (I kind of wish if I was going to lose my job, it would have happened before summer, not at the end of it…LOL).
I’m so glad we got to hang out too!
It sounds like you had a fabulous time. Meeting or re-meeting the peeps and dogs behind the blogs must have been very fun. I think that your photos are great!
And the warmth of SC must have been wonderful!
Oh, it definitely was! It was tough to come back to 50 degrees and rainy, that’s for sure!
There was so much to do, it was really hard to choose! I wanted to go to Brookgreen Gardens but didn’t have time; it looks like it was really nice. You’re right, it is hard to find specific people when you don’t know what they look like! I missed meeting a few folks I’d hoped to run into. Glad I got to visit with you though! 🙂
I’m so glad we got to visit too!
I’m glad we went early to Myrtle Beach so we did get to see some of the sights, and we still didn’t get to everything we would have liked to. Since I don’t travel much, I really need to make the most of it whenever I do! 🙂
I agree there is so much to tell and soooo much to share… maybe you can wear a cam next year so we can go with you? the frog walker is super cool… I would love one in my backyard :O9
I know, I would love that frog in my backyard too! (I wonder if he would really walk the dogs as well?)
What a remarkable experience! Seeing the conference through your eyes and photos is more encouraging for me to just ‘make it happen’ next year. Thank you for the inspiration (and the cool dog photos ????)!
I promise you won’t be sorry you did if you ever decide to go!