10 things I have learned about going to a conference............

Having attended several conferences I have tried to pick up on tips from other people to make the most of the time away from my family.

1. Get rid of the mommy guilt. Kids do better with happy energized moms and when you get a break you come back happy and ready to kick into mom mode. Do you really want your daughters growing up and never having a break?  Stop living by a different set of rules. Live what you want them to live by.
2. Make a note on business cards as soon as you can after meeting someone. Nothing like being back in your room and looking at a stack of cards that you have no clue who it connects to. I will write something that links them to me,  for example: hair color, or an item of clothing they had on.
3. Find out about the speakers beforehand, read their blogs, follow them on FB or Twitter.
4. Check out Flicker to see if anyone has posted anything. I just did for the Casual Blogger Conference and saw some of the swag that will be there. I love the  packaging and want to ask her what she used. I will be looking for her at the conference,  we might even meet up on twitter before the conference.
5. Find any hash-tags that will be used and then USE them so the conversation can be followed.
6. Tweet about the conference those things that really helped you on your learning curve,. Those who are not able to come will be following the conversation.
7. Set your intentions. Ask yourself what do you want from this conference?  Focusing your thoughts on it gives you a better chance of experiencing it.
8. Do a search on google blogs about the conference. You can read as other people get ready for the same event.
9. Plan on celebrating with  the extra goodies but choose when you do. The first conference I went to found me putting every dessert in my mouth, by the end I was sluggish and had gained 4 pounds. Choose how much you will celebrate beforehand.
10. Remember that every fear you are experiencing is also being experienced by someone else at the conference. You ARE NOT alone. Close to 90% of the other women are stressing over what to wear right along with you.

I am really looking forward to CBC10 and the connections made at events like these.
hugs,
kB
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