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Blogher Food 2011 Recap & Giveaway!

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Are you tired of my Blogher Food posts yet!?  I promise this is the last one Smile  If you haven’t checked out my posts yet, Pre Blogherfood, Blogher Food Day 1, Blogher Food Day 2.
Because there was so much to read in my posts which may be overwhelming, I’ve decided  to make a brief top 10 list to highlight things that I learned that  were most important to me.
1.) Take photos and notes while attending different sessions so you will have information to look back on and share with others.
2.) Tweet!  I realize that this was one of my tips before I attended, but I wanted to reiterate its importance.  This was the second food blog conference I attended and the first that I had a smart phone.  I didn’t realize everything I was missing out on during the first conference!! Oh,  and download TweetDeck while you’re at it.
3.) Keep an open mind and listen to any  ideas and advice from other bloggers.
4.) Download Windows Live Writer !!! Instead of posting blogs directly through the site you use, you can write on WLW, which is similar to Word, but with all the blog features.  Danica introduced me to it and it has made life so much easier!
5.) Try foods that you might not normally try.  I tried bison for the first time and I retried lamb for the second time.
6.) Don’t be afraid to use public transportation.  Just plan ahead and you can save yourself a lot of money.
7.) Ask locals  for ideas of where to go and eat.  I asked someone who lead me to a great shopping area!
8.) If you are going to be at a different hotel than the one where the conference is being held, make sure it is very close otherwise you will spend too much money and time going back and forth.  I learned this at my first conference and this time was much better!
9.) Go against your routine.  Wake up early, stay up late, try something new!
10.) Plan on attending next year!
I also wanted to point out that I added 5 additional tips to my travel tips for those going alone.  I didn’t want to add this prior to leaving because I didn’t want to let the world know I’d be alone!!
Lastly, I wanted to announce a GIVEAWAY!  While at Blogher Food 2011 everyone received a lot of swag and I wanted to share with you.  So I will be giving one lucky reader a basket filled with samples/products/coupons for products including companies such as Starkist, Scharffenberger , POM Wonderful, Dole and more! To enter:
1.) Leave a comment and share something you learned while traveling.
2.) Follow me on twitter and comment saying you do.
3.) Tweet this giveaway and comment saying that you did.
Each entry will give you another chance to win!  The contest will go until Sunday, May 29th at 11:59 PM EST.  I will announce the winner and contact you via email.  Good luck!

41 thoughts on “Blogher Food 2011 Recap & Giveaway!”

  1. yayyy blog conferences sound soooo fun! and such a great way to meet people. For me, I learned while traveling, that carrying a yoga mat around is awesome!! Well, at least if you’re going to really far away places (especially if they’re in 3rd world countries and the airport is small). Why? Because if the layover is long, then you can sleep on the yoga mat! 😛

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  12. I’ve learned while traveling to always bring your own pillow and blanket…is that a weird tip to share? I am currently staying in a rental house and even made a trip to a local Walmart last night and bought a Fleece Sleeping bag to sleep in because for some reason the bedding sort of creeps me out?

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  14. Okay so everyone is raving about WLW right now! I think I really do just have to check this out! Thanks for the tip. As for learning while traveling – I always learn the history of the place I am as well as learn all about the local cuisine… YUM! 🙂

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  16. I learned to try not types of foods, even if you aren’t used to them. You may just be amazingly surprised, which is one of the best things in life. 🙂

    I’d love to win this!!

    lisagoneaussie (at) gmail.com

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  18. While traveling in Asia I learned to eat on the streets! I said goodbye to the restaurants, for the most part, and sampled all the fresh foods being wok-fired on the side walk. Street food is just as good (or better) than restaurants at a fraction of a price. I generally paid 2$ for a street meal and $6 dollars for a restaurant meal. Those savings add up after a while.

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  24. Awesome! I cant wait to read the other posts (so behind! catchup time!!!)

    Traveling has taught me to eat “safe” foods so I don’t get sick and have to stay behind in the hotel and to always have healthy snacks on hand! =)

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  30. While traveling I’ve learned that sometimes it pays to plan ahead, but sometimes its also good to go with the flow!

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  33. I haven’t been to a blog conference, but my family likes to try new foods when we travel. We like to find the local, off the beaten path, restaurants, rather than sticking with the “safe” chain restaurants that we can visit anywhere.

    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  38. I’ve learned that its easiest for me to eat healthy when i’m traveling! soo many options, and tropical places = fresh seafood and fruit/veggies!

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  39. Pingback: Blogher Food 2011 in Atlanta Recap | Eat the Love

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