In August 2010, my sweetly neurotic friend Ilene Hadad (a/k/a @IleenieWeenie) decided that she simply didn’t have enough to do with her time and organized the very first BlogathonATX — a full day where local bloggers and techies can get together and create a kind of Blog Soup of creativity to inspire, inform, educate and entertain. Also, to eat.
Here is the video I made at the first BlogathonATX.
Last weekend was the third installment of BlogathonATX and this time we were lucky enough to get to meet in the luxurious Link Coworking offices. I loved this new venue because all the bloggers were in one giant room (with tons of work stations, couches, and lounge chairs), while the tech support group and individual counselors were sequestered in private meeting rooms.
She's not. that. innocent.
The energy was much higher at this Blogathon than at the first two events. People showed up early, music played, @slavetofashion harassed people at the registration table, @ATXFoodNews and @lonelygourmet made sure the coffee flowed, and @ileenieweenie ran around looking worried. I got a big hug from the gorgeous and feisty @austindirtydog and got to sit at the same table as @webalicious. Also, I FINALLY got to meet @evinschmevin and @mxwll face to face. And they are both LOVELY.
During the course of the Blogathon, The Weenie hosted a series of interactive discussions, with individual bloggers and media professionals. I was honored to be one of her guests, speaking on the topic of content creation. One of the attendees, blogger Elmer Boutin did a great job of capturing my session in this blog post.
Elmer also summarized the other sessions: @Talmadge spoke about Video Blogging, @SummerH spoke about Personal v. Business Blogging, and @jeremya, @jadana17 and @PatRamsey had a session called Stump the Nerds.
As usual, one of the best parts of BlogathonATX was the amazing food that was provided by local sponsors. Breakfast tacos by @OneTaco and delicious real fruit yogurt smoothies by @LuckyLaylaFarms. Lunch was sponsored by The Lonely Gourmet and dinner provided by @WholeFoods. @CakePlateAustin provided…well…CAKE. (can I get a hallelujah?) (Check out all the sponsors here.)
Although I had to leave halfway through the day to prepare for a business trip, it was wonderful to see so many of my good friends and talk blog. Without a doubt, BlogathonATX is one of my favorite events of the entire year. It is geeky enough that I learn something new every time I go, but without the pretentiousness and snobbery that you find at many other professional events. An element of fun, whimsy, and humor is maintained by both attendees and promoters.
And now…some of my favorite photos:
The Lonely Gourmet kept us caffeinated!
Geektastic!
The Quintessential Blogger
Lucky Layla Drinkable Yogurt - Local and DELISH!
Q and Weenie Talkin' About Content!
Cake and Weenie.
My awesome new earrings made by @JenKCunningham
The badass known as @webalicious.
Q, pondering the meaning of the word BLOG.
