Two weeks from today, the 9th Annual Wine Bloggers Conference kicks off in downtown Lodi. I can’t believe we’ve been running this show for nine years, and that some of us who were there in the beginning, what a long, strange, trip it’s been!
Like everything, the blogging and the career have changed a lot over that time period. You may have noticed it’s been pretty quiet around here; things are working in the background, the the Wizard of Oz, changing, moving, growing.
One of those things is the Wine Bloggers Conference Scholarship Fund. This passion project takes up an inordinate amount of time, particularly the few months leading up to the conference, and tends to take over. Add on top of the my day job (jobs really), and something suffers. Sadly, it’s this blog.
That said, I’m very much looking forward to Lodi, and as you can see from my series on Lodi wines there is a lot to look forward to. As I do every year, I write my advice column to both veteran attendees as well as newbies. There is so much to do, see, and learn at the conference, as well as networking opportunities and camaraderie.
Each attendee has a unique perspective, but for me, as a 9 year attendees (one of only 5), Advisory Board Member, Scholarship co-founder and Director, and wine industry worker, this is mine.
Practical
- Wear comfortable shoes. you never know when we’ll be hiking up a hill in a vineyard
- Wear comfortable business casual / wine country casual clothes with layers. This is not a lawyers convention! It can get chilly at night with fog coming in, so bring a sweater. Wear layers. It is HOT in Lodi during the day, however it can cool off significantly at night due to the Delta breezes, and hotel AC can be brutal.
- Bring multiple devices. There are often times when a laptop isn’t practical (in the vineyard) and your phone doesn’t have reception. Brnig multiple devices.
- Bring your own power source. Power packs, instant chargers and mini power strips are all critical. There is often a battle to get a slot in the power wall, so bringing a strip will allow you to share the love. I love this one as it folds, has USB ports and 4 power slots. I also love a great power squid.
- If you have a MiFi bring it. Wifi resources are taxed beyond belief and are not made for 350 people online all day, with multiple devices. For extra points, give some karma and open your mifi up for others (your billing terms will dictate this, but if you have unlimited or the budget, be kind and share)
- Bring business cards. Yes it may seem archaic, but it’s the best way to quickly introduce yourself with a memorable item. The stacks of cards collected are reminders when we get home to follow, tweet, and read other peoples information.
- Hydrate. Lodi is HOT! There will be a lot of wine. Water, water water. If you have a metal / plastic water bottle, bring one. They come in VERY handy!
Conference Etitquette
- Be professional. While we’re there to have fun and learn, no one likes a party animal that gives bloggers a bad name. We all remember some years where people were not responsible and made the local community dislike bloggers in general. Please don’t’ be that person. This is a business conference. We want Lodi to LOVE us and invite us back! Act like your grandmother is in the room.
- Attend the keynote. Andrea Robinson is incredibly knowledgeable, and is very open to meeting & talking to bloggers. She spoke in Walla Walla, and is a great resource (and person to know). She will have an amazing keynote!
- Attend the breakouts that are important to you. We are all adults, and we are all well aware that not every session will speak to you. However, this is a conference, not a frat party. We’re hear to learn and share, so get ye to the breakouts!
- Get to know your sponsors. We have a few hours on Thursday at the Registration, Expo, Gift Suite, and Opening Wine Reception to to say hi and learn who made this conference possible.
- Attend the Opening Reception and Expo – if you are arriving on Thursday, be sure to attend the opening reception. This is your first chance to meet the Lodi locals, and meet your sponsors. There is plenty of time to stop by and still go out and enjoy the evening.
- Attend the Friday Expo & lunch. Here, you and meet additional sponsors, mingle with your fellow attendees, and support the Scholarship.
- Spit spit spit. I can’t emphasize this enough. Yes, there are moments (dinner, after hours parties) where I don’t spit and enjoy myself, but you are representing bloggers as a whole, and should have some decorum. It’s a business conference at the core, disguised as a party. Present yourself accordingly.
- Don’t forget to sleep! There are always many after hours events and parties. While going to these is fun and a great way to meet people, don’t overdo it. Sleep is critical during this busy weekend of events.
- I repeat: Hydrate. Lodi is HOT! There will be a lot of wine. Water, water water.
Time Management
- Don’t worry about blogging DURING the conference. Time is precious and you will stress yourself out and miss content if you try to blog during the event. Write your thoughts down and save the blogging for when you get home.
- Attend the break outs. Too many people don’t attend the core of the conference and they miss out. While You Need to choose which bits are important to you as a blogger, please don’t be the person that doesn’t attend any of the sessions (that just makes us ALL look bad)
- Go with the flow, don’t get overwhelmed. While content is king, if there is a session that isn’t’ interesting to you, use the time to blog, hang out with your fellow attendees, or just chill.
- Be prepared to want to do more than one thing at once – at the same time, there are often two sessions running at the same time that you might want to go to. There is no wrong choice, and you can’t do it all so don’t try to.
Other Things
- Don’t be shy – reach out and touch someone. Ok maybe not literally, but turn to the person sitting next to yourself and introduce yourself. We don’t bite and we want to get to know you!
- Find a WBC Scholarship committee member, and get your swag on! Rodney Strong #wineloveragainstcancer bags are available at the scholarship table, and If you’re super cool, donate to the Scholarship or buy a souvenir stemless glass ($5 to buy one, 2 free with a $50 donation), capabungas, and other awesome swag. All proceeds go to next year’s scholarship
- Get some Blogger Bling (namebadge ribbons) at the WBC Scholarship table on Friday! They are great icebreakers and support the Scholarship.
- Say hi to the donors & scholarship winners!
- There are many after hours parties. These are not private hidden events, but you do need to keep your ears open. Most are word of mouth.
- Twitter is the tool of choice. The #wbc16 hashtag trends every year. Other platforms that are popular are Instagram and Twitter.
- Have an open mind. You never know if there are wines you wouldn’t normally try, that you will love!
- Bring something from home that represents your region, style, and / or personality. This could be wine, but it could also be food, a book, or a t-shirt.
Here’s what I think I’ll be doing:
- Welcome Reception
- Andrew Robinson Keynote.
- History of Grape Growing and Wine Making in Lodi – this is your best chance for an in depth look at the local area.
- The Truth About Viticulture – a fascinating look at marketing fact and fiction in wine
- Expo – come see me at the Scholarshp table and get some swag!
- Wine Discovery Session: Wine Educator Deborah Parker Wong, DWSET presents From Prosecco to Amarone: The varied and delicious wines of Italy’s Veneto, sponsored by Consorzio Italia di Vini & Sapori.
- Live Blogging
- Friday evening excursions to wine country
- Saturday Breakout sessions:
- Wine Samples – this is a hot topic amongst experienced media. Come join the discussion!
And that’s as far as I’ve gotten. As you can see, there are some sessions not on my personal agenda. It’s not that I don’t find them valuable; it’s just that I don’t think I will be personally interested in them. In leaving them off my “must do” list, I create some free flow, where I can catch up with my blogger friends, experience some of the local restaurants, join an off the grid get together, or just chill.
I will see everyone in 2 weeks!
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