How I Made it to BlogWorld 2010

Most people plan their trips to conferences months in advance, not in less than 24 hours. It all started last Monday when I received an email from Constant Contact to attend a social media and marketing seminar geared towards restaurants. I met Ron Cates with Constant Contact who is an online marketing genius. When Ron and I were talking afterwards, he asked me if I was going to BlogWorld & Social Media Summit in Las Vegas. I had heard about it but I hadn’t really researched it as much as I should have.

My main interest was the Social Media Business Summit that was a 3-Day Conference presented by BlogWorld & New Media Expo. With thousands of attendees, 200+ speakers, 150 educational sessions, and more than 100 exhibiting companies, it was the world’s premier Social Media Business Conference. I had to be there! As a newer Social Media Consultant, I wanted to find new ways to help my clients grow their business and to learn what is the best way to grow my business.

Twitterverse to the Rescue!

So what is a girl to do on a Tuesday afternoon when she wants to go to a conference that starts on Thursday? She rushes over to Twitter of course! I put out a plea that I was looking for tickets to the conference, needed help securing a hotel, and plane tickets too. I never could have imagined how awesome the Twitter community came together to help me get there.

First Nicole @nickelnm who writes a very useful finance blog, called Finance Diva said she had an extra ticket to the event. Ticket to BlogWorld – check! Then Heather, the extremely witty persona behind @MalibuRumBarbie helped me secure a room at the Rio. Here are two women I have never met, stepping up and helping someone out without asking for anything in return. I truly have to give them both a huge THANK YOU. I was amazed and humbled by their generosity and willingness to help a virtual stranger. They will forever have my gratitude.

I next received a phone call from my brother-in-law who said he wanted to help get me there. He had looked over the show’s schedule and was amazed by the quality of the seminars that would be taught. He offered his free passes on @southwestair. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a return flight until late Monday night and I needed to be home Sunday morning for a wedding shower.

I decided to drive to Vegas instead – it’s only 5 hours and I love that drive through the mountains. My Honda Element had been having some issues, so I called my trusty mechanic Randy at National Automotive Repair and begged to be seen that morning as I was planning on hitting the road that Wednesday afternoon. He checked my fluids, put air in my tires, and sent me on my way.

Vegas Bound!

On the way up to Las Vegas, I was secretly thinking, oh holy sh!t, I am about to drop a lot of money on this conference. Is it worth it? What if it sucked? What if no one talked to me and I spent the whole 4 days alone? I called Stephanie aka @skinnyjeans and asked her what I should expect. Stephanie has a few blogs, with her latest being StephanieQuilao.com and just moved to Phoenix where I met her a few months ago. She reached out to her Twitter community to make sure I wouldn’t be alone and talked to me about all the cool people I would meet, which seminars not to miss, and what generally to expect at a Blogger conference. Thanks Steph from talking me down from the ledge!

Stay tuned for what happened once I finally arrived at BlogWorld. It blew my mind, and hopefully it will blow yours as well!

Share on Facebook

100 Wines – Why Yes, I am Up for the Challenge

This is a reprint of the original blog posted on foodieslikeusblog.com on 10/03/2010

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

I love wine. I would marry it if I could. I love whites, reds, and my all time fave, champagne. What could possibly be better for me than a night sampling 20 different wines for only $25? Nothing really. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar decided that all of their 100 wine offerings needed to be sampled and enjoyed so that their patrons could enjoy the wide array of varietals that they offered.

Each Opening Night featured 20 different wines from the new Fleming’s 100. I had been blessed to attend two different evenings and tried some amazing wines that I ordinarily would not have ordered. My wine palate has been opened up and can not wait to taste more from their exciting collection.

I have to admit that I hope that Fleming’s continues to do these Opening Nights as a regular component of their Wine Portfolio. It was great to experience a lovely evening with other wine lovers and the staff makes you feel like you are a bona fide wine buyer and aficionado.

One of my favorite champagnes is the Schramsberg, Blanc de Blancs 2006. It has a dry crispness bubbling over with vibrant fruity flavors and has been the favorite of celebrities and dignitaries for years.

I fell in love with the Von Buhl, Riesling Pfalz Jazz 2008. It was completely out of the box, a little skunky even, but oh, so lovely. The taste was completely unexpected and quite riveting.

Not normally a Syrah fan, I tried the next wine a bit trepidatiously. The Meyer Syrah 2005 is a tad smoky with warm red plums and boysenberries blending together beautifully. This syrah lasts long on the palate and tasted wonderful with the passed filet appetizers.

I had not heard of Vall Llach, Priorat Embruix Spain 2006 and am so thankful that Fleming’s had this for us to try. This wine is scarlet in color and the faint taste of nutmeg stays on the back of your tongue as your rack your brain trying to identify that lovely sweet taste. Another glass please!

An unusual wine that I am happy to have in my arsenal of knowledge is the Trefethen, Double T 2006. It was so bold, the flavor profile so big, I wanted to order a steak and eat it right there in the tasting room with this impressive red. I just might need to do that the next time I visit Fleming’s.

For only $25 per tasting, I sampled 20 of some of the best wines in the world. Fleming’s also offers a $25 dining credit if you stay on for dinner. Prepayment is required to enjoy these libations. Cross your fingers and hope that Fleming’s makes this wonderful event part of their quarterly line-up.

Share on Facebook