Blogger Bash 2015 – Overview & tips for Newbie’s

My journey through Blogger Bash 15′ as a full-time working , crazy newbie blogger from NJ

Day #1:

As a ‘newbie’ blogger, I was nervous to have purchased my first ever ticket to Blogger Bash. I quickly googled Blogger Bash 2014 to see what I was in for, but nothing could’ve prepare me for these 2 days this past weekend. I knew I wouldn’t be able to get off of work for 2 full days, and had to pick an choose what I MUST attend. Unfortunately, I missed the first half of the first day including the Care Bear Brunch and the Blue Man Group show, but I was able to follow along with some of my fellow bloggers on social media, and I am so happy I got to see what was going on over at BB while I was at work.

Full of emotions, dragging my sister and mother on the ferry with me after work so I can make the Toy Insider Sweet Suite night of play, terrified I wouldn’t make it before the end, and even more terrifying, going into those doors ALONE! But guess what? I LOVED every moment of it once inside those doors. I felt so at home! Walking into a bright room filled with smiling bloggers like myself, MOMS playing with TOYS, like me! It was such a turning point to give my name, an get my ‘Attendee’ badge. To know I was a part of something so big, that others have traveled so far to get to.

There was so much going on and so little time since I had gotten there on Day 1 at 8:30 pm into Sweet Suite. I immediately went for a quick glass of wine, and some food to munch on since I had just rushed from work in NJ, through rush hour(s) – into NYC via very transportation method available. Are you kidding me with the attention to detail that was put into decoration this place? There were tables set up with chef’s preparing your small food selections, and small desert tables with adorable candy center pieces. I mingled at the vendor tables, and quickly met some blogger friends I hadn’t met before. I wanted to interact with as many brands as I could an make sure to hand out my card. There were many brands I was well aware of, and some that I was not. The best part is how enthusiastic each an every PR rep was about their product and how proud they were to show it to me. I loved every moment of it, sharing their joy and hoping to be a part of something bigger in the near future. That 45 minutes I had there was amazing. But it was only a taste of what was to come in the upcoming day!

Unboxing of my Sweet Suite Swag Box! Check out all of these awesome new toys!!

Day #2:

I was lucky enough to have fellow bloggers to travel with to BB on day 2. I was still exhausted from the night before since I traveled back home after Sweet Suite and it took nearly 3 hours to get home and I was so excited I could barely fall asleep. I had to be up and ready to leave at 7am to travel back into NYC to make the first task on the agenda, the Disney Infinity Breakfast.

Disney Infinity Breakfast: Can you say WOW!?

The food. The food at an event is something everyone will remember, even if they don’t remember much more. They definitely treated us like royalty with the assortment of breakfast items they had at the buffet tables. The bacon was perfect, and the french toast was just amazing. The decor was breath taking and felt so fancy for 8:30 in the morning. On the large screen was the preview of the new Disney Infinity 3.0 and there were also gaming console stations set up. What’s even better? I felt honored that we were given a Disney Infinity swag bag containing Mulan and Hans Solo characters that aren’t being released until August. I am one of the lucky moms who has actually played Disney Infinity before, so I know my son will be excited to add these characters to his collection!

Rite Aid Recharge:

Next up, we walked back over to Pier 60 to the Rite Aid Recharge station that would run 10am-6pm. I cannot express what an AMAZING job they did converting the room into a relaxing space to meet with more PR reps that probably would’ve been out of my reach if it weren’t for BB. The amenities there were something you’l find at a 5 star hotel in NYC. Cucumber water, refreshing lemon lime water, chocolate bar… wait for it…. MASSAGES on the pier in front of the water with a view of the city – FREE. Yes, this was possibly the best part of my entire trip.

There was a quiz that Rite Aid prepared that would custom tailor a swag bag just for you. It was a cute little feature to help get their products out there, and let us mommies try products we otherwise wouldn’t have.

The PR tables ranged from Alex’s Lemonade Stand which is a personal favorite for me for #AlexsMillionMile, to Project Gravitas, to Vermont Vacations. The CEO of Evite did an awesome presentation on the psychology of people when it comes to blogging/choosing items and I had front row seats! I was in and out of this recharge room all day an was so thankful it was there because it gave me a place to really recharge, sort of like a home base.

Baby Palooza:

My youngest is now 3, but I still wanted to get in on the action in the Baby Pallooza room and I am beyond glad that I did. Anne Geddes did a Q & A, and you guessed it, I had front row seats! She spoke so honestly about her meningitis campaign and how it touched her heart personally. She also did a book signing and I got my personalized copy! This book is just so cute you have to check it out!

YouTube – Taking the Leap:

I wanted to get in on this speech by the amazing speaking panel on YouTube taking the leap. This was moderated by Mommy and Gracie’s “Mommy” and I loved every minute of it. Although I do not have a huge youtube presence, it gave me great insight into what to look forward to, and how to manage it effectively including how my children interact with content.

Peanuts Keynote Lunch:

Again, hurray for FOOD! They fed us more, and even better, we got to see the children who are the cast of the new Peanuts 3D movie. I cannot wait for this movie to come out because it reminds me of when I was a young child and I want to share it with my children. They completely changed the venue appearance again, and this time, the big screen featured a preview of the new movie, and even Snoopy came to visit! They did a fishbowl giveaway, and gave away a new happy dance snoopy toy. I didn’t win, but I still had a blast. They gave us all a keepsake laundry bag filled with stuff to take home, My favorite is the Linal coffee cup!

After the lunch there was more Rite Aid recharge lounge fun to be had, and mingling with more PR reps.

We left just before the Lentils Carnival so we could beat the Friday rush hour traffic, but from photos it looked amazing!

As a newbie to the blogging world, I am so glad I got the chance to interact in the blogging world at this event and I cannot wait to attend next year’s 2016 event because I am sure it’ll keep getting better and better each year which is hard to believe it can get any better. If you are a new blogger, or maybe an established blogger who hasn’t taken the leap and gone to Blogger Bash, this is a PSA: YOU MUST GO! It is A-Maz-Ing! I am still exhausted from the travel, but the experience and meeting new friends made it all worth it.

Hope to see YOU next year at Blogger Bash 2016!