Some things I learned at Haven 2012 * blog conference

05 July 2012

1. I have the best husband in the world. We were just coming off a 2 week vacation/family reunions. The original plan was to fly back all together, and then I would catch an early morning flight to Atlanta for the Haven Conference. My flight was canceled, so we  made some changes. I said goodbye to my husband, 5 kids, 7 carryons, 5 backpacks, 1 laptop bag, 1 stroller, 1 big honkin’ checked bag, 1 carseat, and 2 boosters in Houston. I flew to Atlanta, haven 8(by myself…in a glorious ROW to myself!) while they flew back to Baltimore, spend the night in a hotel, the next day they drove 5 hours back home, then drove my oldest daughter up to our church girls camp that afternoon. He is the BEST.


2. If you go to a blog conference, it’s helpful to have blog/business cards to hand out This is obvious, right?? Wrong~I am so dumb. I had the best intentions of getting some business cards printed up before the vacation, but in the craziness, it never happened. Everyone exchanges cards, puts cards in for drawings, leaves cards with sponsors, etc. and all I had was my coupon envelope/notepad to scribble some notes on and this is what I found when I opened it up:haven 2
next year, I WILL have cards! (and maybe win something??)
3. Haven was not your typical business conference. I was blown away with the “I want to help you” attitude everywhere, all around. The classes were all based on this is what I found to be successful, let me share my secrets!  Amazing.
My husband attends conferences often for his work, and couldn’t believe the stuff I came back with and how willing everyone was to share and collaborate on how to become better at blogging, advertising, monetizing, painting, staining, PR, photography, styling, etc.  I learned more in the classes in a few hours than I would ever be able to pull together after weeks of research/reading online.haven collage
4. The people behind the blogs you read are real. With huge hearts, dreams, insecurities, families, fears, doubts, huge to-do lists, worries, goals, comparisons, just like you do. I can’t tell you what it does for the soul  to sit down and talk with them and know you are not alone in what you are thinking/feeling/how do you??? That is the true magic of blog conferences. The, meeting, the talking and the heart to heart connections. And it’s the best if you can go with your SISTER!haven 10haven 11
haven 5
haven 7thank you, Sarah @ the Thriftress!
haven 6thank you, Janet for the pic!
I knew Haven was going to be good. I got a few glimpses at the beginning when there were talks of a conference geared for diy/home décor blogs and was so excited for what was coming. But these girls knocked my socks off with what they pulled together. What a powerhouse team~I have come to “know” each of these ladies through the past 4 years of blogging, and love each one of them.haven 12
5. You will love your family even more when you come back. And it might take you a week to get back into blog stuff, even though you just learned a ton about blogging…but that’s okay.
signature
Many more Haven recaps over at Rhoda’s…I’m linking up!

6 comments

  1. Lauren@simplylkj1/8/14, 1:28 PM

    So sorry to have missed it this year as it took place 20 minutes from home!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm hoping there is one for next year and I plan on going to that one, Melissa.  I don't know how I missed all the talk about this one until it was too late.  I've noted it in my email calendar so I can make sure I move on it next year! 

    Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions

    ReplyDelete
  3. Rhodasouthernhospitality1/8/14, 1:28 PM

    OH Melissa!  So glad you go to come to Haven. It was so much work, but we are thrilled with the outcome & I'm so happy you were part of it.  I'm so bummed i didn't have more time to spend with you and Kristen, I was running on roller skates the entire time. Next year, I'm not going to be so booked up. I'm still trying to catch up, but I think I'm back to normal now. Of course, it's back to the house reno now. Counting down the days til I get in this house!  xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  4. The pictures are really nice! I hope I can get in on the action next year!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Aww yay! It looks like so much fun! I hope to go next year and I hope we can meet!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sorry we didn't meet at Haven!!  Browsing your blog and see that you were there too!!

    Maybe we'll meet next time around...

    Jen
    athomeinthenorthwestblog.com

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to leave me a note!