Last weekend, I attended the BConnected Social Media Conference for Mom and Dad Bloggers, it was my fifth social media conference, so a newbie I am not. It was however the first small scale conference I attended since it was BConnected’s inaugural year and the location was in Ottawa, and not the popular GTA, I definitely saw and felt some noticeable differences! They say bigger is better and BConnected definitely taught me, that this is not the case! The conference had so much to offer!
Photo credit: CaptiVision Photography
BThere
The moment I walked into the NAC (National Arts Centre) I was impressed! It’s a gorgeous building and our room was the perfect size. With two full walls of glass, it didn’t look small at all but made for a cozy and comfortable setting. The small numbers allowed us to grab a seat and set up camp, we left our belongings at our spot and roamed around without lugging everything with us and both the washrooms and sponsor areas were just steps away. This was a welcome relief and even after wearing heeled boots for two days straight, my feet didn’t hate me when I got home! I know, I know! Everyone always says, “wear comfortable shoes”, guess who never listens?!! Walking from the hotel to the NAC was the only real walking I had to do, and I fell in love with downtown Ottawa with all the amazing architecture and mix of old and modern buildings, I wished I had booked an extra day just to explore the city!
Photo credit: CaptiVision Photography
BHeard
With only one stream of speakers, this conference didn’t allow you to move from room to room or pick ones that best suited you, and you know what?? It was okay, better than okay actually because it took the stress of feeling like I was missing out on something away and that frazzled feeling of not knowing where I am going next went with it. BConnected simply picked the best of the best and delivered something for everyone in each speaker. From solid, practical information, to inspiring tales, and that big ‘aha’ moment, I felt like I took plenty away from the sessions. Dino Dogan, CEO and Founder of Triberr spoke three different times that weekend, and I could have listened to him again and again. Not only is that man hilarious, he’s pretty darn smart too!
Wondering why I know Dino is hilarious? Okay, his sense of humour definitely shone through in his presentations, but in reality, the intimate conference allowed for truly getting to know your speakers. We went out to dinner with them, they joined us at our tables for chats, and there was plenty of time to casually strike up a conversation at any time. Got a question? There was no need to stampede the stage to get in line as they existed the room, or have it go unanswered, everyone was approachable and excited for feedback and insight.
BNoticed
If part of your blogs portfolio is working with brands, then finding a smaller conference is like striking gold. While there were fewer brands in attendance, it also meant you had the chance to be noticed, to make an impression, to possibly even make a friend! The brands were very friendly and super happy to chat with you and there were no long line ups where you only have time to thrust your card in a bowl and walk away. If there was a brand in attendance that you didn’t get a chance to connect with, sadly, there’s no one to blame but you! I’m also happy to mention that thanks to Future Shop, I’m now a fan of the wii! I came, I saw, I kicked butt at Mario Kart!!
Photo credit: CaptiVision Photography
BYOU!
A small conference allows you to really connect with the people around you, yes, even if you tend to be a tad bit shy! In all honesty, I was kind of nervous going in, I had met a couple of people attending briefly at other conferences but only enough to say hi or have a quick chat in the hallway before rushing off to another session, I worried that I didn’t really know anyone. All of my worries were quickly tossed aside within seconds. As it turns out, not only did I get to know those people better, but I met new people and got to know them too. More than just a quick hello, I found BConnected to be that stressfree, relaxed, atmosphere that allowed me to open up and be myself! The nerves were replaced with laughs, and I felt like I left BConnected with new best friends.
Lyne Proulx and the entire BConnected team pulled off an amazing conference and that is not an easy task in the first year! It’s going to be very successful and grow and thrive, will it hit blogher proportions? gosh, I hope not!! Because it was almost perfect just the way it was! Can’t wait to connect with you there next year!!
Posted in participation as a BConnected Conference Ambassador however all comments and opinions in this post are honest and my own.
It was such an incredible weekend, I took away a lot of inspiration that’s still spinning around in my head! It was great to spend real time with friends new and old! Lets do it again next year!
I had a blast with you hon! I would love to hang with you again next year, hope to bump into you sooner though!
Will have to find a way to make it happen sooner! 🙂
It was such a great chance to meet people (especially those I have chatted with online for years) and a great conference for me as a first timer!
Perfect first conference!! It was great to finally meet you in person!
Such a great post! It was an awesome conference and it was great to have a more intimate setting to interact with fellow bloggers, speakers and exhibitors.
Thanks Tracey, I think the intimate setting and smaller numbers helped to make everyone feel very included. I often hear people say at large conference that they felt lost in the crowd or left behind, this was certainly not the case here!
It’s so true – it was small and intimate and there were opportunities like no other! I loved being able to chat with people I knew, meet a ton of new people, and learn all in the same place. It was great to chat with YOU!
It was so great to meet you! So happy you jumped up to say hello!
Firstly, was really nice to meet you at this Conference. You, along with the rest of the Ambassadors, were all so personable.
Secondly, I think you really hit the nail on the head with your title. BConnected Conference really did make it easy for attendees, speakers and sponsors to connect with each other. It was intimate yet inclusive. I had a wonderful time!
I loved meeting you as well! I love how friendly everyone was, it was a great time!
I so wish I could have attended this conference. It sounds like it would have been perfect for me. Although Blissdom was fantastic, I felt like I was missing out on other sessions and information while I was in another session. LOL!
I have been to Ottawa once and fell in love with it too. The architecture and history is amazing!
I totally agree, Jen, the size of BConnected was one of the great things about this conference. It allowed us to really spend time with one another and get to know the brands. It felt like its own little community. It was so great to see you again! Here’s to next year!
yes, definitely had a nice feel of community! I really enjoyed it!
Great Post Jenn! So happy you liked our format. See you next year!
Looking forward to next year Lyne! Great job!
I completely can relate to this! There is a British conference, BlogOnMOSI that is very intimate and I lived that! Also if you remember the ShesConnected conference where I first met you ladies, it was only 200 people and so much better to meet people! Miss you guys and wish I could have been there! Sounds like it was amazing!
yes, that was my first conference and I still felt a little lost but you are right. I loved the small community vibe at these conferences. Miss you!!
It’s wonderful you had a great time! Other commitments kept me from attending but hears hoping next year 🙂 Great article 🙂
It sounded like an amazing conference, I was following it on social media. Maybe one of these days I can head on over to the side of the Country and attend 🙂
we would love to meet you in person Randa!
Sounds like a great event! I wish I was a little closer. Maybe next year!
What a fabulous post and an fabulous conference! I really took a lot from this conference. The size was perfect — so intimate. Just wish we had more time to spend together! 🙁 Great pics, by the way!
I’m going to get my post up this week! 🙂