Travel Blogger Meetup In Chicago on July 26

This year's BlogHer Conference seems likely to bring out a record number of travel bloggers! The central location in Chicago, and the fact that there will be a session devoted to Travel Blogging make the conference more attractive to travel bloggers than in past years.

Chicago Millennium Park - Cloud Gate "The Bean"
Chicago Millennium Park - Cloud Gate "The Bean"

This seems like a great time to have an extended in-person meetup. Kim Mance of Galavanting and I are beginning to organize a Sunday Morning half-day meetup where we meet in person, share ideas, and discuss topics that interest us. The meetup will be open to everyone (you don't need to be a BlogHer attendee) and will be free to bloggers. I hope it will be as incredibly productive and enjoyable as my meetups with local bloggers have been.

Here are some topic ideas we are considering:

  • Networking
  • Using Video in TravelBlogging
  • Balancing Credibility, how to interact with and receive PR freebies
  • Why are you travelblogging and how does that change your focus (e.g. building a freelance career, to connect with others, to promote a product or service, to earn income)
  • Keeping your blog alive while you're not traveling
  • Blogging vs. Travel Writing - what is different, how do you balance both?
  • What makes a successful and fun to read travel blog?

The first step is to find out how many people are interested in attending and what you are interested in talking about. Let me know in comments. Will you be at BlogHer? Would you be interested in staying for an extra day to meet with other travel bloggers? If you are not attending BlogHer, would you come to Chicago for this meetup? What would you like to discuss? (P.S. If you are a PR representative who would be interested sponsoring or attending this event, please send me email)

Related Links
Woman Travel Bloggers
Chicago With Kids

17 comments | Posted on January 11, 2009 | Save to del.icio.us

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Comments

  1. Mara Gorman on January 12, 2009 at 8:42 a.m.

    I'd definitely be interested in this and I love the list of suggested topics you have here. Right now my summer plans are kind of up in the air, so I haven't registered for BlogHer, but if I can possibly get there I'm going to and would conceivably consider coming just for this meet up if I can't make the entire conference.

  2. Amber Johnson on January 12, 2009 at 9:31 a.m.

    Am still debating if BlogHer was worth it last year. However, if I decide to go, definitely count me in for this!

  3. Kim@Galavanting on January 12, 2009 at 11:35 a.m.

    I'm really excited to meet everyone in person!

  4. Sharlene Earnshaw on January 12, 2009 at 1:34 p.m.

    Shoot- I think I will be in Calgary around then so I can't go but I would love to hear a recap. Have you thought about recording the session for those who can't attend?

  5. jessiev on January 12, 2009 at 1:40 p.m.

    i can't do BlogHer with my disabilities, but if i can make it to chicago then, i'd love to come! great, great idea!!

  6. Kim@Galavanting on January 13, 2009 at 4:12 a.m.

    PS: to Sharlene, jessiev & others, we plan to live stream the meetup on UStream and also will archive a recorded copy for those who can't make it to Chicago!

  7. Heatheronhertravels on January 13, 2009 at 5:51 a.m.

    I so wish Chicago wasn't such a long way for me or I'd be there in a flash - read below about a similar travel blogger's get-together that we had in London.

    http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/at...

  8. Nancy D. Brown on January 13, 2009 at 8:49 a.m.

    I hope to be joining you ladies. Don't forget that early bird on-line pricing ends February 28.

    Twitter @Nancydbrown.com

  9. Lisa Dion on January 13, 2009 at 1:26 p.m.

    i'm hoping to attend, but plans aren't solidified. i love the idea of meeting up with other travel writers...

    http://mymisantrhropicmusings.blogspo...

  10. Dominique on January 15, 2009 at 2:20 p.m.

    I'm still considering coming to BlogHer. It still sort of depends on the employment situation here. How late can I wait until I register?

    The list of topics sounds great. I'm particularly interested in the "(re)building a freelance career" topic.

  11. Debbie on January 15, 2009 at 2:49 p.m.

    Wow it's great to see so many people interested in joining us! This is going to be lots of fun.

    Early Registration for BlogHer ends on Feb 28, and last year the conference sold out a few weeks before the conference date.

    You don't have to attend BlogHer to attend the meetup though, so even if you cannot make it down for the full conference, we'd love to see you!

  12. Linda (minnemom) on January 15, 2009 at 8:05 p.m.

    I won't be going to BlogHer, and although a last-minute trip to Chicago is usually a possibility, I believe the dates conflict with a family occasion.

    Wish I could be there. You have a great list of topics to discuss!

  13. Jamie on January 16, 2009 at 8:47 a.m.

    I'm planning to be there, but was also planning to fly home on Sunday.

    Any chance of doing the meetup Thursday night instead? I know that childcare is complicated for lots of us, but it might be good to do this when we're all a little fresher.

    Just a thought.

  14. Debbie on January 16, 2009 at 12:28 p.m.

    @Jamie shoot... I'd like to do it after the conference to give newer bloggers who hear about it at BlogHer the chance to attend. Let's chat by phone & see what makes sense...

  15. pam on January 21, 2009 at 7:33 a.m.

    Would not miss it. No siree.

  16. Marion on January 30, 2009 at 3:17 a.m.

    It seems very interesting, but I'm not sure I'll have to chance to attend BlogHer 'cause Chicago is so far away from Rome, Italy.

  17. Amber Johnson on June 18, 2009 at 4 p.m.

    I just confirmed BlogHer so I'm definitely in for the Sunday meetup. Excited!