Type-A Mom Conference a Great Success

photo copyright Rick Bucich

The Type-A Mom Conference held September 24 – 27 in Asheville, NC was amazing. Kelby Carr and those who worked closely with her created a conference model that will, hopefully, be adopted by other women-friendly conferences in the future. The Type-A Mom Conference offered a comprehensive experience for all attendees. There was something for everyone

Friends

First, and foremost, was the opportunity for bloggers to connect with online friends in real life. I’ve read about this experience in the recaps of blog conferences past, but because this was my first time attending such an event, I didn’t quite know what to expect. The experience is surreal. It’s incredible to be able to hug and pick up conversations with women you’ve never met, as if they were lifelong friends. There was ample down time built into the conference for socializing. Many bloggers met up at the hotel bar after conference workshops; there were also functions during the conference itself, such as the Dress Barn fashion show breakfast, for laid back time to chat.

Learning

Of course, there was time for learning about our craft. General panels,power breakout sessions, and a keynote address were offered on topics of interest to bloggers. Everything from making money to blogger/PR relations was covered. The topics offered covered a variety of issues, and participants were able to choose the workshops that interested them most. There was even a Blogger Town Meeting where everyone was invited to give their opinions and express their thoughts on the ethics of blogging. This event was well-received. Great conversation was had, and everyone was respectful. What a wonderful opportunity it was to take part in this.

Networking

Conferences are such a good chance to network with those in your industry, and the Type-A Mom Comference was no exception. The agenda offered an excellent networking opportunity early on. Company to Blogger Speed Dating was the first official conference event. Participants got the chance to introduce themselves and their blogs in a roundtable format for about fifteen minutes or so. When the whistle blew, it was time to head to a different table for another round. What an excellent way to get folks talking, exchange business cards, and make connections. This really set things up nicely for networking during the remainder of the conference.

Child Care

Yes, I said child care. This is not something you’ll normally find at a professional conference. Offering child care was extraordinarily innovative on the part of Kelby Carr and the conference organizers. It also provided many, including myself, with access to the conference who otherwise may not have been able to attend. The KidCon was staffed by competent local childcare providers who gave the children tons of interactive experiences with help from some products from conference sponsors. My children had such a good time that they didn’t even notice when I came to check on them!

Sights

Another part of the conference that you don’t see every day was the chance to take part in free family tours of Asheville. Participants were able to choose to take part in one of two guide bus tours of historic Biltmore and other local sights. And for those arriving early to the conference, there was a special chance to attend the local Health Adventure museum’s exhibit, Grossology. My older kids and I went, and it was so much fun. Afterward, Kelby took us to one of her favorite Asheville eateries, The Chocolate Lounge. Amazing.

Fun

For me, the whole conference experience was a lot of fun. In addition to the fun things mentioned above, there was also a Mom Market, where moms and companies could showcase their products and businesses. I really enjoyed learning more and discovering some great new products. Finally, the closing reception that included local wine, beer, BBQ, and cheese was fantastic. The food was fantastic, and the beverages were divine. The chance to end the conference relaxing with friends was priceless.

It can definitely be said that the first annual Type-A Mom Conference was a tremendous success. Thank you to Kelby Carr, the conference sponsors, and everyone else who made it possible. If you weren’t able to make it this year, please consider coming to the next one. You’ll be so glad you did.

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