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I don’t even know where to start. No seriously. I’m staring at my computer screen and I have so many thoughts racing through my head, but I literally don’t know where to begin. I’m still processing everything that I learned and experienced at the Haven Conference. Hmm, I guess I’ll start at the beginning? (Ingenious, I know!)
Let me start by saying when I purchased my Haven ticket several months ago, I really didn’t know what it was other than a conference for bloggers. I had literally started blogging just weeks earlier and came across a “tweet” about the conference stating that there would be a Twitter chat starting in five minutes. I thought it sounded interesting so I attended part of the chat. (It was lucky that I had signed onto Twitter right at that moment!) During the chat, I found out that the conference was here in Atlanta. I felt that it was meant to be and might be a fun experience, so I bought my ticket then and there, not knowing much about it at all and never having even heard of a “bloggers conference.” I found out much more about it as the months went by, and as it turned out, I couldn’t have chosen a more perfect conference to attend.
Advanced Painting Session |
This was the very first year of Haven, and it was specifically geared toward Home/DIY bloggers like myself. It was as “hands-on” as these types of events can be, and there were several reasons I wanted to attend: to learn, to network with other bloggers and brands, to be inspired, and to figure out what on earth I am doing with this whole hobby-turned-sorta-business thing. To say that this conference exceeded my expectations would be a major understatement. I learned, I networked, I was inspired, and I figured out what I need to do (for the time being) on the business side of things. I even made lots of friends, many of whom I considered friends before we even met “in person.”
Blogging is a very interesting “profession??” “hobby?” “job?” – I don’t know what you want to call it. I guess all of the above. But it is very community-oriented. There is so much support and such a bond between fellow bloggers. We all do this because we love it, and many of us consider it to be our job – whether very, very part-time, or totally full-time. I think what’s really unique about this is that although you can make a career out of it (and many people don’t realize that – I certainly didn’t when I started), that is usually never the reason people get into it. Most people fall into it by accident because it starts as a hobby. Because we all love what we do so much, there is an instant bond among all of us. So when we attend a conference, it’s kinda like summer camp. We don’t hold hands and sing Kumbaya (Hey! Maybe we should? Write that down, conference organizers.), but we certainly feel a sense of camaraderie and instant friendships form from the moment we meet. We all try our best to help each other out rather than compete with each other, whether it be through promoting each other’s blogs or businesses, or just bouncing ideas off of each other and sharing advice and/or experiences with one another. We interact with each other constantly online, so conferences are the perfect place to come together and hang out and have a great time, while learning and connecting with brands at the same time.
Cute spray-painted chandeliers in Rust-Oleum vendor booth. |
Now, onto the specifics of Haven. I learned so much! I attended the following sessions: How to Grow your Blog; Advanced Painting; Photography/Photo Styling; Thrifting 101; Carpentry; and Advertising. In order to prevent this post from being a mile long (it kind of already is, no?) I’ll have to break this up into separate posts and focus more on the specific sessions I attended. But please know that each and every speaker did a fabulous job and shared so much wisdom. I also attended two cocktail parties which were so much fun! Unfortunately, I didn’t take many pictures at all. I know, shame on me! But I was so immersed in the whole experience it rarely occurred to me to take out my camera and snap some pics. I did get a few though.
Check out these adorable spray-painted centerpieces at the Rust-Oleum Cocktail party:
I even got to bring one home with me!:
Oh – and who could forget, the LOOT! Oh, the loot… Wow. First of all, the swag bags were AWESOME! And I won So. Much. STUFF!!! I actually started to feel guilty about the amount of stuff I won. I was totally on a roll! They were all random drawings, with the exception of one prize which I entered by “tweeting” to the company. I won the following items: a cubby organizer from PureBond (designed by Ana White), a Ryobi paint sprayer, an Annie Sloan stencil, a Cutter gift set full of all kinds of bug repellent products, a DIY Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing Kit from Rust-Oleum. Oh, and I won the Haven Twitter Chat giveaway from Homes.com a few weeks ago and received an Amazon gift card! I know! “WINNING!!!” I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. Chris (my hubs) said I should hop a flight to Vegas before I headed home. I don’t know what was up with my luck, but it was seriously embarrassing. I am so sorry Haven ladies. I feel like I should give some of it away. I am so thankful though and really appreciate all of it. It’s a good thing I am local or I would have spent a not-so-small fortune shipping everything home.
Haven Swag Bag |
Ana White Cubby Organizer from PureBond |
Overall, I can’t say enough great things about Haven. Thank you so much to all of the ladies who worked so hard to put together the event and make it a success. You did an amazing job! And thank you to all of the inspiring bloggers/DIY-ers that I met. You are all so wonderful and I hope to keep in touch with every single one of you.
I’ll be writing more about Haven soon, so stay tuned! (I know, this is already long, but I have a lot to say about it!)
Did you attend Haven? What was your favorite part? If you weren’t there, what do you think about the whole idea of blog conferences?
I am linking this post to:
Southern Hospitality Blog
Stephanie says
I loved Haven and it was great to meet you! I’m working on my first wrap-up post now and am struggling with where to start! I definitely plan to go next year and hope to see you there.
Stephanie
Fresh Picked Vintage
Erin Spain says
It was so nice meeting you, Stephanie! I’ll definitely be there next year!
Beth @ UnskinnyBoppy says
I feel exactly the same way! I cannot even begin to write all that down. It was mindblowing, right?? So, I’m avoiding writing my entry by visiting others to see their pics! LOL
Erin Spain says
Yes, it is a bit overwhelming! It was so much fun. I feel like so much was packed into such a short amount of time, so it’s hard to do it justice in a blog post!
reFresh reStyle says
I’m avoiding it too! Love this Erin 🙂
Kirby Dunton Carespodi says
My favorite part was meeting all the great women I follow and making new friends! (And I’m glad you won—you’re just so darn cute!)
Erin Spain says
Thank you Kirby! I enjoyed meeting you!
Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says
Erin,
My husband and I attended Haven. So sorry that we didn’t get to meet you. I enjoyed reading your recap. My husband wrote a post from his perspective about the conference. Following you on Twitter now.
Erin Spain says
Hi Jane! I’m sorry too. We’ll have to connect next year! I’ll be sure to check out your husband’s post.
Jacque n Matt Knowlton says
Erin, Loved your Haven Recap part 1 and if Jacque and I ever go to Vegas, we’re totally taking you with us! Looking forward to meeting you sometime in the future!
Erin Spain says
Hey, sounds like a plan! But we better go soon before my luck wears off! 😉
G+D says
Wow, you really raked it in, girl! Haven was THE BEST. It was so great meeting you, Erin! -Dusty @All Things G&D
Erin Spain says
It was so great meeting you too, Dusty! I enjoyed having lunch with you. We’ll definitely have to keep in touch!
Kathy says
Great Haven report & I look forward to hearing more! How great that you won so many goodies!!! LOVE the swag bag, too! 🙂 Blessings!
Erin Spain says
Thanks Kathy!
Susie from Bienvenue says
Girl!!! You won some loot BIG TIME! I thought I was pretty cool winning some Anne Sloane paint. Haha… You would have thought I hit the lottery LOL. It was so sweet to meet you and I look forward to getting to know you better. Enjoy your new sweet treats. Susie~
Erin Spain says
It was great meeting you too Susie! I can’t believe I won so much stuff – I’m still a little in shock!
Sally says
Wow! That sounds awesome! I think I would have loved it and I’m not a blogger! You’ll have to tell me about the DIY kitchen cabinet refinishing kit. I’m considering trying the Rust- Oleum kit on mine, although tackling that job with 2 little kids at home sounds impossible. Can’t wait to see what you do with all that loot!
Erin Spain says
Hi Sally! The kit actually was from Rust-Oleum. (I should go back and add that to the post.) I’ll talk to you about it when I see you, hopefully soon!
Sally says
Well, that was a great score! I think those kits cost either $150 or $250 at Home Depot. I’m trying to get up the nerve to use it on our kitchen cabinets which desperately need it. I know I could do it, it’s the kid factor that’s holding me back. Trying to get a project like this done after they are in bed every night could take quite awhile.
Kelly @ View Along the Way says
I’m sitting down to write my recap post and having the same where-to-begin struggle! It was SO amazing!
Erin Spain says
I know the feeling! It really was an amazing experience. Can’t wait to read your recap when you post it!
angie in the thick of it says
I sat down 2 hours ago and still haven’t written one word. But I’m here on your blog!! So SOMETHING is right in the world! 🙂 I was so glad you won that cabinet! perfect for an Atlantan!
Also loved meeting you!You are as lovely in real life as you are on the blog 🙂
Erin Spain says
Thank you Angie! I loved meeting you too. You are so nice and funny! Looking forward to reading your recap post when you finish it. Can’t wait until next year to do it all over again!
Renee Living Laughing Loving says
Wow you really were on a roll! I don’t think I got to meet you but I was standing up there beside you asking your advice on the ryobi table and you said you were the wrong one to ask, ha! I ended up with the multi tool which seems pretty cool!!
Erin Spain says
Hi Renee! Yes, I remember you! Sorry we didn’t get a chance to officially meet. I really am clueless about all things power tool-related, but trying to learn!! Thanks for stopping by the blog!
Traci@ Beneath My Heart says
Thanks for such a great recap! I am so glad you enjoyed Haven. 🙂 It was such an amazing even to be a part of.
Blessings,
Traci
Erin Spain says
Thanks so much Traci! Sorry I didn’t get a chance to meet you. I enjoyed your session and appreciate all of your hard work! I look forward to following your blog.
Laura/Pet Scribbles says
Congrats Erin on all the loot! LOL (just teasing!) Your enthusiasm and joy about the Haven conference totally came through in your post! I found myself smiling as I was scrolling through the photos and reading your recap. 🙂
Erin Spain says
Thank you so much Laura! 🙂
Miss Charming says
I really enjoyed meeting you at Haven, Erin! You’re nice and so much fun. Congrats on all your swag. (Such a lucky girl!). Which item is your favorite?
Erin Spain says
Thank you! Oh goodness, I don’t know if I can choose a favorite! My boys are really enjoying the Ana White cubby. And I’m really excited about the paint sprayer because I was thinking about buying one and I know it will save me a lot of time. But all of the swag was awesome and I feel very lucky!
Karah @ thespacebetweenblog says
I found it to be such an amazing experience, too. I scored a last minute ticket after they sold out and now can’t even imagine if I hadn’t gone. So wonderful!!
Erin Spain says
So glad you were able to get a ticket! It was definitely an wonderful experience.
DIY Show Off says
Great pictures, Erin – I never did manage to photograph everything I wanted or even meet/talk with everyone I wanted to either! So many friends, so little time! 🙂
Erin Spain says
Thanks Roeshel! Sorry we didn’t have a chance to meet. Next year for sure!
Vivienne @ the V Spot says
Don’t feel guilty! It’s the luck of the draw, literally! So nice to meet you!
Erin Spain says
True! Very nice meeting you too, Vivienne!
Tauni says
What a fun recap! I am terrible at taking photos at conferences and I don’t have many of Haven. I like to think that it’s because I am busy trying to be “present” with people, but who knows?!
xoxo, Tauni
Erin Spain says
Thanks Tauni! Same here. I feel like most people who were there feel like they didn’t get enough pictures. I guess that just means we were all having too much fun!