Now that you’ve heard all about our journey there and seen an outfit from the 2015 Southern Blog Society Conference, I thought it was high time for a full recap.
The conference kicked off on Friday evening with a happy hour on the rooftop terrace of the Belmond Charleston Place hotel. Since Kristyn, Jenn, Alicia, and I were staying in the hotel, it was super convenient. Swoozies hosted the welcome cocktail hour and I did not want the night to end. From the branded cups—perfect for all the rosé!—super cute cocktail napkins, and party favors, they really paid attention to the details.
One of the highlights of my night was meeting Maggie of Polished Closets in person. We’ve been blog friends for about a year now, and I was nervous about if we would click as well in-person as we do via email. We ended up talking most of the night and mixing and mingling with a lot of new faces, which is always easier to do with a friend!
After the cocktail hour ended, 10 of us headed over to Sermet’s for dinner. All you Southern Charm fans out there will recognize the restaurant, and I had the best beef tip tortellini. I also met fellow DC blogger Lindsay of Sugar & Something—so cool that I could expand my network here while in Charleston!
Saturday morning started with breakfast at the Charleston Grille at our hotel. We had to be ready to go by 8 am, so it was definitely an early start but we were running on adrenaline.
The conference portion of the day began at 9 am and was held at the beautiful Riviera Theater right across the street from the hotel. We had a series of panelists (see tips from Blair Culwell here!) that really inspired me and gave me so many ideas for A Touch of Teal.
Cathy and Jessica also made a big announcement during the conference—the Southern Blog Society is going national! So, if you live outside of the South and want to join, soon, you’ll be able to.
The next portion of the day was the brand networking suite. This was probably my favorite part of the conference. Over 25 brands were represented, and Kristyn and I walked around with mimosas in-hand meeting everyone and scoring some awesome goodies as part of our swag bag.
What I loved about the conference is that brands brought representatives who were well-versed in working with bloggers which made networking extremely easy. Sometimes when you pitch companies, you aren’t even sure if they work with bloggers. Here, that wasn’t the case at all and brands were so receptive to ideas. I can’t wait to introduce some of them to you over the next few weeks.
By late afternoon, we headed back up to our room to relax and decompress before dinner. Kristyn, Jenn, and I walked over to the Pineapple Fountain before connecting with Stephanie and Ashley for dinner at Pearlz Oyster Bar. That meal was probably the best food we ate all trip and our waiter was so fun and attentive! He also made recommendations for our late-night adventures. I would highly recommend you stop in next time you’re in Charleston.
Sunday was our last day in Charleston and there was a goodbye breakfast hosted by Hallmark Signature Style. After we said goodbye to our blog friends, we headed out for a day of exploring beautiful Charleston—more on that coming tomorrow!
All in all, the conference was a fabulous experience. I met so many great fellow bloggers and wonderful brands, all while pushing myself outside of my comfort zone a little bit. This definitely won’t be my last blog conference!
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Photos by Kim Graham
Wow, well this looked like a lot of FUN!!! Loved all your pictures and being a blogger, I totally wanted to go to this. I used to go to Beachbody conferences and being around like minded people was always so helpful and fun.
Thanks lady! I completely agree about conferences. I have been going to some sort or another since high school and it is so nice to be around like minded people.
Sounds like such a great weekend! ‘m so excited to learn Southern Blog Society is going national! We don’t have anything comparable here in New York so that’s wonderful news. And super jealous you got to eat at Sermet’s! I’m so obsessed with Southern Charm!
Taffeta & Tulips
Yay! Now you will have the NE blog society! Ah, we will have to talk Southern Charm soon :]
Looks like you had so much fun! I love blogger conferences, and Charleston is beautiful! Can’t wait to read about your adventures in the city!
Thanks Rachel! xo
Such a great recap!! It was beyond amazing meeting you and getting to know you while in Charleston! Let’s get together soon over some cocktails in DC! 🙂
XoLindsay
Sugar & Something
Aw it was SO great meeting you too. Let’s definitely get together soon :]
Looks like you had a wonderful time! It would be so much fun to participate in a blog conference. Unfortunately, I was unable to join the Southern Blog Society, but I’m hoping to attend BlogHer next year. 🙂
Aw thanks lady! I have heard great things about Blog Her!
What a blast! Sounds like they really knocked it out of the park. I bet the swag bags were so fun. Glad you had a great experience. =)
Yes, Jess and Cathy should plan conferences for a living! Thanks for your support, lady! xo
Wow – that looks like such a fabulous blogging conference! I just attended my first blogging convention last month – the Alt Summit in Salt Lake City, Utah. Having an opportunity to connect with awesome bloggers and brands is such a special thing. Thank you for sharing your beautiful memories, photos and takeaways from The Southern Blog Society Conference.
Thanks Denay! I am so jealous you got to go to Alt Summit, that is definitely on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing! xo
This looks like SO much fun! I’ve never been to a blogging event, I know there are some in my area so I really need to look into it.
Thanks Sara! I highly recommend it — nice to get out of the comfort zone!
This makes me so excited to attend a blogging conference! It’s on my 101 in 1001 list of things to do. 🙂
http://www.peaceandblessingsyall.com
Good luck! XO
This looks super fun! Wish I could’ve gone! They don’t have anything like this in the northwest for style bloggers, so wishing they did! Enjoyed your lovely post and you all look beautiful!!
xo
Valerie
Ah yes, well the good news is they are going national so this time next year they will be! xo
Wow, this looks like such fun!
I haven’t attended a blogger event in quite a while now, I think my confidence is a little knocked if I am honest… need to push myself again as they are such fun 🙂
xox
Thanks Sammy! You should definitely go to one – I am sure you would knock it out of the park.
It looks like it was such a wonderful conference! I love all the photos!
Thanks Valerie! Kim did an awesome job.
I love this post! Um can you please find out outfit deets of the two presenters in your pic above? That pink skirt is gorgeous and I’m loving whatever that khaki green vest jacket thing is! So chic! 😉 (I know you prob can’t figure this out but I wish you could, haha.)
Also, just want to say, THANK YOU for such a fun but also legitimate post. I’ve read a couple of other posts lately about blog conferences that seemed kind of… lackluster? Always love hearing about your adventures!
Yes – Maddy! Their outfit recaps are here:
http://mystylevita.com/2015/07/how-to-style-a-duster.html
http://www.poorlittleitgirl.com/crop-top-and-pink-midi-skirt/
I am so glad you liked my long-winded recap :]
Ooh thanks for the deets! I was THIS CLOSE to buying that pink skirt (ughhh so cute) but I just dropped dollas ($$) on new work clothes for this job starting next week. It’s going to be fun to be a little more dressed up for work but it’s a very specific kind of dressed up. Pink skirts probably don’t make the cut. 😉
Oh well, I can dream!
Oh my gosh, this looks like it was amazing & so much fun!! <3 I swear, I'm such a southern belle stuck in the Northeast and one of the places I've been just dying to visit forever is Charleston! *sigh* One day, one day….ahaha! I'll be sure to follow along with your blog from now on so I can live vicariously through you 😉 (and I mean that in a totally non-creepy way, lol!).
xoxo, Brooke of The Pink Lyme ( http://www.ThePinkLyme.com )
I am so glad you enjoyed the recap! I hope you get to go to Charleston soon :] Totally non-creepy, don’t worry :]
This looks like so much fun. I wish event like these would happen near LA!
xoxo
Brenda
À LA PLAGE style
Hopefully they can soon!
omg!! that looks amazing!! 😀
i wish my city had something similar for bloggers!! 😀
Have a great week!
Back to blogging at Animated Confessions
You should start something!
Looks like such a fabulous event! I love that selfie stick!! haha Wishing I was a southern belle right about now!
Christie
The Closet by Christie
Aww the selfie stick was a huge hit! They are going national so you need not be a southern belle anymore!
Oh my goodness, looks like it was an amazing conference – I’m turning green from head to toe! Charleston is absolutely beautiful and I’m glad you had a great time! I wish they had something like that over on this side of the country!
xx, Mikkaela
So glad you loved the recap! They have a Southwest Blog Society – you should join!
I love that the companies sent representatives that could converse with bloggers. So many times you try to pitch and some brand have no idea what to do with bloggers. You guys seemed like you had an amazing time. And a blog conference should definitely be fun. Amazing post. Thanks for sharing your experience there.
Kia / The House of KTS
http://www.houseofkts.com
I completely agree! It was nice that because they want to work with bloggers, they sent people who know their stuff. xo
Everything about this conference looked adorable and chic – not that I expected anything less from a Southern Blog Society con! I’m glad it looks like you had a great time – that’s the best part of these get togethers.
Thanks lady! xx