I feel fairly certain that the reason I sit (somewhat unhappily due to a nasty bout of flu) in this lovely hotel is because I attended TBEX last year. In the lobby of the cramped New York hall where TBEX 10 took place, I met a delightful young woman, Teresa Faudon, from the Austria Tourism Board. We chatted for a while, and nearly a year later, she invited me to participate in this press trip. At that same event, I picked up an ill fated editorial gig that went south when the site owner said these kryptonite like words: “I’d like to go to a free model.”
TBEX 10 gave me the opportunity to express my love of narrative to a captive audience through a project I did with Mike Barish — we did a “best of” reading. Spud Hilton, the travel editor for the SF Gate has since published two of the writers Mike and I selected. I take no credit for this, but I do think the opportunity to present writing I loved helped establish me as a critical reader. I met Don George, a sort of godfather of travel writing at TBEX 10 through Wendy Perrin from Conde Nast Traveler. “Don,” she said, “You have to meet Pam. She cares about narrative.” I’m not making that up, and this year, Don invited me to join the faculty at Book Passage, his travel writing conference in California. Did I love TBEX 10? No, I can’t say that I did, but I loved many things that happened as a result of my being present at the 2010 Travelblog Exchange.
Me and Mike Barish at the bar at TBEX opening night speaker’s party. Hockey jerseys from Canada Tourism.
I realize these opening paragraphs makes me seem like a tiresome namedropper; let me assure you that I’m not saying these things to impress you. I’m mentioning these people because they were present at TBEX 1o. Some of them were there this year, too, Jim Benning and Mike Yessis from World Hum, Grant Martin from Gadling, Spud, again, and Don, and Jen Leo who is a font of good advice and positivity. And plenty of friendly PR people, too, who wanted to meet you and talk to you about your blog and if the destinations they represent were a good fit for what you do.
TBEX 11 was full of flaws and there was plenty to criticize, but my expectations were very much in check. I didn’t love SxSW either, though I enjoyed the time I spent hanging out with Sheila Scarborough and the World Hum crew, and Austin Hill and Kelly Goodman of Travellious, and… BlogHer in Chicago made me absolutely crazy, but it was the first time I got to meet Eileen Smith, who hosted me in Santiago, Chile, earlier this year, and I believe it was also the first time I met Jessica Speigel — those are two people who I can not believe I did not always have as friends, so much do I adore them. To get to TBEX 09, also in Chicago, right after BlogHer, I roadtripped with Kelly and Peter Carey across the US, the three of us strangers on a big adventure. I still think so fondly of that trip, of the big diner breakfasts, of “So, are you here for the glow in the dark mini-golf, then?”, of a lot of laughing and the great landscapes of the west.
I will not go back to BlogHer or to SxSW. I left BlogHer because it refused to cough up any opportunities and while I did find moments of enjoyment in SxSW, I was mostly overwhelmed by the crowds. If my finances permit, however, I think I will return to TBEX in 2012 because in spite of the flaws and frustrations I have experienced during my involvement, TBEX is an event that has me heading home, three years in a row, with opportunities I did not know I’d received while I was standing in the crowded, noisy halls.
I’ll admit to engaging in some back channel sniping about TBEX in the lead up to the conference this year. I was on the organizing committee, a role that felt like it was in name only. I participated in three conference calls, that was it. I did not actually organize anything. There were some other things that happened that I found frustrating, mostly because more than anything, I wanted TBEX 11 to be awesome. And you know what? It was awesome. For me.
It was hard for me to read the critiques of my sessions, but that’s what happens when you sit at the front of the room. One write up said that “even Jen Leo couldn’t save the panel” that I was on, that the critic was looking for concrete takeaways. I remember seeing a comment that was kind enough, but also said that they “didn’t know why I was on that panel.” I have to admit, I didn’t really know why either, but I loved participating, it was fun.
I have wanted concrete takeaways too, but it has taken me some time to learn that I will not get them in conference halls. They appear afterwards, sometimes much later, years later, even, when a tiny conversation evolves into something much bigger over time. The sessions are a mere introduction. They’re the opportunity to say, “I enjoyed your session about Thing 1, but really, I would love to hear more about how you deal with Thing 1a. Can we trade email?”
Conferences are about seeds and unknown things started . I am happy to sit on the floor in a back hallway to play the uke and sing songs with Andrew Evans and Natalie Taylor, to have lunch with Kim Rogers, to wander the city with Leif Pettersen, to drink coffee with Keith Savage, to hear what Gary Arndt is scheming up next, to have Doug Mack in the carpool home, to hear stories from Marilyn Terrell. These things are just as valuable, no, more so, than sitting in a hall expecting answers because they are conversations that allow us to exchange questions.
I no longer go to conferences looking for answers, I go looking for connections. It is work to find them, and I am bad at it, and a little bit lazy at making new friends; it is so much easier to be with people I know. But tying all these little strands together, finding like minds to talk with, and being open to the idea that TBEX 11 is about possibilities, that changes what I bring home. I don’t even know, now, today, what I took home from TBEX in Vancouver, but I trust that something good will come of a conversation, a passing introduction, a side remark. That knowledge allows me to overlook the flaws.
I’ll be candid, I’d expected much less from TBEX 11. That was, I think, somewhat uncharitable of me. TBEX has been a magnet for people I absolutely can not get enough of. It’s a playground for ideas about travel and blogging. I had an amazing time, and while I couldn’t for the life of me tell you, this minute, what I got out of it besides time with friends, old and new, I know I got something. I’ll let you know when I find out what that is.
You hit the nail on the head.
Information can easily be transmitted online. You don’t need to go to a conference to learn about anything in particular.
You go to conferences to meet people and talk in ways that wouldn’t be possible online.
If they eliminated all the sessions, I’d probably still attend.
Best. conference. write-up. ever.
Bravo.
J really agree with your assessment of TBEX 11. This was my first TBEX and I went in with absolutely no expectations and in that regard, I was pleasantly surprised (I was in your narrative writing session and found it to be quite beneficial, especially on Day 2 when we broke into smaller groups).
I didn’t go to TBEX expecting to learn anything new. I went to TBEX expecting to meet some truly awesome people. some of whom I can collaborate with. And in that regard, TBEX did not dissapoint.
I have not been to a TBEX conference yet so I cannot comment on it but I have been to a blogger conference of similar size. Besides meeting some lovely people, both strangers and people I called friends before we met face to face, the one conference I went to was more of a motivator for me than anything else. I was surrounded by people who were doing the same thing I was, were passionate about it and understood it. I was wrapped up in the possibilities and the thoughts of things I should attempt. There is something very solitary about blogging on the couch in your living room or at your desk in a home office but these men and women made me feel like I could strive to meet goals I would never have set for myself. Whether I agreed or disagreed with their work didn’t matter…they motivated me to work harder at being a better writer and blogger and that is why I am going to try to get to TBEX12.
I’m glad my expectations of TBEX11 were kept in check by reading reviews of TBEX10 before hand. They helped me realize that it is about the connections made in the hallways more than the official sessions and, while I definitely learned in the sessions, I worked hard to connect in my introverted way. It was my first chance to connect in real life and I enjoyed every minute of it. Making new friends like this can only lead to great things! (And I thoroughly enjoyed your sessions and only wish I had taken the chance to meet you!). Cheers!
Got to spend a lot more time with you over drinks in Seattle (back there now, until Wednesday a.m., by the way) than at TBEX, but it was one of the highlights of the week to finally meet you in person, along with a couple dozen other folks. Agree entirely that the networking opportunities are fantastic — as is the entire travel blogging community. Keep up your amazing work, leading us all to attempt to craft better narrative. Doubt I ever catch up, but I do enjoy the futile, but entertaining, quest to do so.
You’ll get on that writing stuff pronto, right? For me?
I think your thoughts give a good perspective on expectations one wants from a conference. When I was in NYC last year, my friend told me (after unsuccessfully getting the restaurant of her choice for her birthday dinner) that “nothing worth having ever comes easy.” Even though I’ve made connections with editors and they know who I am, it doesn’t mean that my story is going to be in their publication tomorrow. In fact, I’ve been building up those relationships for over a year. Even then, I may have to pay for a trip out of pocket just to get published but that’s the sacrifice I make to get a story.
I think it’s also a matter of timing and what your goals are coming into the conference. Some want to learn about the technical/monetary aspects of blogging; others want to learn to write better. Some just want to take advantage of open bars and network. I don’t think Kim ever intended for TBEX to be a conference – she fell into that role. TBEX really started out as a meeting of like minds. That was my intention when I went to my first TBEX in 2010 and it’s what I enjoy when I meet other bloggers. You guys are “my people” – you actually want to hear me ramble about my adventures to Never Never Land in return that you get to share the same excitement and passion for your wonder. We go to these events because we CARE.
I’ve made many suggestions on Mobile Lawyer’s blog on how to improve from next year. Kim even messaged me personally and is taking my comments into consideration. That’s huge. Do you think anyone at Blogher or SXSW is going to do that? Funny enough, we hardly even talked before that point. I won’t wax poetic but I think beginner bloggers get value from a lot of the sessions. I certainly did in NYC. More seasoned bloggers who have been able to monetize their blog or build an audience will say “I didn’t learn anything.” Did I learn as much this year? No. Did I still learn? Yes. Did I skip out on sessions and learn from those who were outside the conference rooms and talk about our experiences breaking into the market? Yes. I will say that’s where the editors/speakers were for the most part. I even got one interesting business opportunity out of it and it had nothing to do with anyone connected to TBEX at all.
I actually skipped out on the Passports with Purpose meetup early and went around the corner to another hotel to watch the hockey game solo and imbibe on drinks like any brooding writer would do (I had gotten snubbed. Said snubber was addressed in person and apologized.) It so happened I ended up sitting next to the president of a travel company who was in town for another conference and I told him about TBEX and what it was all about. I then told him I was looking for work and how I could provide value to his company. I have an interview this week. Other times, I get a sympathetic smile and a “good luck” send off. Sometimes, that’s just how it works.
Did I plan in advance and make sure I got to see Vancouver on my own time? Yes. It was worth every penny. I can’t thank Vancouver tourism enough for giving me the opportunity to explore sites that would have cost me into the hundreds (and also appreciating my country a whole lot more). When I heard through the grapevine about the experience pass, I emailed Vancouver Tourism directly and got a response to come to their office b/c the official memo was out. I researched it myself (hopefully, this will be rectified in future). Did I investigate who I wanted to really see and made sure I sought them out? Yes. Will it pay off in dividends? I don’t know. It’s not really the point. Sometimes, people even waited for me (like Joshy Washington from Matador), who I am so grateful for. We met for 5 minutes but that face time was so valuable to me. There were also some solid connections I’ve made on Twitter that I met for five minutes and didn’t get to see all weekend. Was I bummed? Yes. But that means I have opportunities to go to their city or they get to go to mine; or maybe we meet in between. Then there’s the lovelies that I never intended on meeting and now have a better connection with (Shout out to: Akila from The Road Forks and Eileen from bearshapedsphere.com).
The thing is, we’re a community. Heck, we’re even part of an online revolution. If I have a question I can go to the Travel Bloggers group. I can DM a friend on certain topics or can get referred to someone who might help me. We’re savvy enough to get the answers to what we’re looking for. It’s just a matter of figuring out what those questions are.
And PS Can I just say that travel bloggers give the BEST hugs? Seriously. Thanks Pam for the shoutout. It means a lot and uke jamming with you and Andrew (in a Snuggie) was a great moment.
I love that you joined us to sit in the hall and sing! And hey, it’s because of that that we’re now more than just passing acquaintances who met for a few minutes before after during some session. I say that’s where the fairy dust is, and I’m sticking to it.
You go, Natalie, GO!
Pam, I wish we’d hung out more at TBEX10. I feel we only really met in passing and now I am no longer in the US.
Remember a few weeks ago how I wrote that I thought you were ready to take on better paying travel writing work? I was right. Being faculty at Book Passage is going to open so many doors for you!
I like this. I’m hoping/believing that good things, perhaps now hidden to me, will come of the many meetings and partings that was TBEX11. It was a pleasure to chat with you.
Get well.
This TBEX was my first, and I was a little excited and nervous. I tried not to be too naive, because I’d read criticisms of previous TBEXes, but I also wanted to have an open mind. I really like TBEX. I learned a lot from the sessions, and I got to meet some people. I only regret that I didn’t make an effort to meet more. I found there were so many people it would have been nice to have another day or two. I think with anything there’s good and bad, but ultimately it’s what you make of it.
I think the line item criticisms are valid, of course, but they need to be tempered with big picture results. And yeah, there’s never enough time, NEVER.
I echo you’re comments about TBEX in Vancouver. It was our first travel conference and we went in with limited expectations. The biggest takeaway for us was the connections we made, both with other bloggers and industry people. We will likely visit TBEX 12, not because we plan to find the answers to our burning questions, but to visit with like minded people enjoy the real life friendships that we’ve made online
I said it repeatedly during TBEX, and have been thinking about it even more since – it’s all about community. And yes, TBEX is great at helping each of us meet our people & expand our community. I can’t even remember what life was like before I knew all of these fabulous travel bloggy folks…
Most of the communication we’ll all have will continue to be online, and that’s okay – we’re all comfortable with online chatting – but it fundamentally changes the conversation after you’ve met someone in person, after you’ve seen them move around in 3D. Yeah, TBEX can be improved (and it will likely never be perfect, especially as it grows, since it’s impossible to please everyone), but so far it’s the best venue for this glorious (and expanding) community to get together, face to face. And I love that.
PS – Pam, I adore you, too.
Mwah. That is all.
Pam, what you’re saying about TBEX11 is exactly how I felt about TBEX10. I started my own freelance career in a bit of a vacuum – and like you, I’m lazy about meeting new people – so to meet so many of the people I’d known over the last couple of years online did more to inspire me and motivate me than any of the official stuff. It made me come out of my own shell and feel more like I’m part of a community, which, let’s face it, can kind of be hard when you’re typing on a laptop thousands of miles away from everyone else. I agree with Gary’s comment above – I’d go even if there were no panels. In fact, I’d get more out of it! I think the next TBEX should be a big working session – everyone comes and works, and talks, and we take it from there.
What you’re describing there, at the end, is what I’ve experienced as an “unconference” – where participants show up and create an agenda on the first day, based entirely on what the people there want to talk about. Then no one can say “there wasn’t anything in it for me” – unless they don’t speak up during agenda-setting, which is a different problem altogether.
I thought the unconference I went to would be (a) impossible to organize and (b) useless. It was neither, & ended up being the best part of that whole conference meeting.
Can I say bravo Pam? Well I guess I just did.
This is such a great “I get TBEX” post that it made me say “yes exactly” about 5 times while reading it.
Yes TBEX10 and TBEX11, which I attended, had flaws and things that made me scratch my head. But by going to TBEX10 in NYC, I was able to meet with many pr folk (including the lovely and talented people of Austria tourism) and connect with bloggers that know a helluva lot more about certain aspects of blogging that I really needed help improving.
Fast forward to Vancouver and it was like a mini family reunion of a few hundred people that “get” what I do for a living and again helped me come up with ideas for the coming year and beyond.
My main goal of attending conferences is to meet, network, share a joke or two, perhaps a cocktail and come away with connections from people that I can help and that can help me. This is a community after all isn’t it?
I’m bummed I did not get to say howdy to you at TBEX, especially since I love to sing whenever an instrument is playing.
Hope you feel have some Austrian chicken soup and feel better. See you in Colorado.
Sounds like maybe YOU should have been on this Austria trip instead of me. Oh well, next time, I hope.
As for singing in the hallways, I can not wait for a do over. I will call my non-band “Two Andrews.”
Thanks for your honesty. I have booked my ticket for next year. I appreciate knowing what I am heading into, it helps keep those expectations in check. I’m mostly looking forward to meeting people who’s work I admire, anything I take away from it that helps me make my blog better will be an added bonus. I’m nervous because I don’t want to look like a starry-eyed fan, and I also don’t want to be dismissed by people because my blog is still in it’s beginning stages.
Hope you are feeling better, Pam. I really enjoyed the Antarctica series- can’t wait for more on that.
Anyone who dismisses you because you’re just starting out — oh, just walk away. We were all just starting out once, some of us not that long ago. Some of us are crusty old bloggers, but I STILL think, good god, I have about a billion more things to learn.
Thanks for your kind words on the Antarctica stuff. That was, well, it was unbelievable. See you next year, I hope.
Pam, I loved your workshop. I loved what you had to say and I took quite a bit away from the narrative workshop. I went to TBEX with no expectations and in the end, I met some pretty damn amazing people who I’ve been following online for a bit now (yes, you are one of them!) and I also got snubbed by some people (mostly PR people, because I don’t fit into a nice and simple niche…heck, I’m still figuring that out!). It was one, big learning experience and I learned SOOOOO much! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Can’t wait to have coffee the next time I am in Seattle or you are in Portland!
I’m not a niche writer either. And hey, here’s some advice you didn’t ask for. While I love to do all kinds of destinations, I found that working with PR folks who cover destinations I’ve already written about is a great first step. I wrote a Hawaii guidebook before I ever did bloggy stuff there. I had written about our road trips in BC extensively before I had anything to do with the PR folks there. I’d written about Austria on and off for YEARS, this is the first time I’ve had any support from PR for my travels. History helps when you don’t fit neatly into a niche. That and having a solid pitch beyond “I want to go to…”
We’ll visit. I’m looking forward to it, neighbor.
important points, pam, and shows that you are open to serendipity! i am glad you went. and i am glad i can read about it, too.