Followgreat expectations
leah + raul + lola = true friends
i’m heading to TBEX in Keystone, Colorado this weekend. Travel Blogging Exchange for those who don’t know what TBEX means. it’s the biggest travel blogging conference in North America and i have been thinking about it for a year now. i’ve been working hard to get my name out in the travel writing space – using my writing and social media. TBEX will be an opportunity for me to measure how i’ve been doing. it will also be a chance to learn a lot about strategies pertaining to what i’m building. best of all, it will be fun to meet & network with other travelers and writers AND see dear friends!
my hopes and expectations:
- i hope to discover people do “get” what lola’s all about
- i expect to learn A LOT and apply that to my blog
- i hope to make some great professional connections that will lead to paid work
- i expect to make a few new friends and this alone will make TBEX worthwhile
i can’t wait to answer these four points plus add any others that i wasn’t expecting.
post expectations
what an event! even though there’s always room for improvement, i thought the conference was really well done. i was impressed with the line-up of speakers and the parties were outstanding. here’s the shake-down of my four points.
totally #lolafied
- i think those who knew me from the various social networks DO “get” what lola’s all about. i need to continue to grow my audience so more will be in-the-lola-know!
ya know when ya know!
- i did learn a few new tricks that i need to apply to my blog & writing as well as the importance of a media kit.
great meeting the wonderful C.C. Chapman
- i did make some great professional connections that i think will lead to paid work and even more importantly, how to continue to make more of these contacts.
the lovely Kirsten Alana – i just can’t get enough
- i DEFINITELY made some new friends this past weekend. (my favorite souvenir!) it will be fantastic to continue to connect with these people and i look forward to more opportunities to meet my fellow travel writing pals down the road!
group LOVE pic!
what was unexpected?
Keystone is a lovely summer destination! BAD BAD traffic in & out of Denver AND a cluster F*#@ at the Denver airport. who would have thunk? certainly not me!!
Someone had a great time.. I am jealous and want more details! Have booked for Costa Brava, actually quite curious!!
@mrsoaroundworld recently posted…Cruising? Me? Never!.. Or can I be persuaded?
must book Costa Brava soon myself! can’t wait to mix it up with the Euro bloggers too!!
i so hope i can make #tbex in Spain, will be fun!
you better make it, Nik, or else i’ll never forgive you!! xx
love this so much! soo disappointed we can’t make it to costa brava. xo!
the lazy travelers recently posted…jetsetters: @travelrinserepeat
it was a gooood time, Lazy Travelers. you know i’ll share with you anything new & exciting i learn from Costa Brava cuz, ya know, i LOVE you!!
can’t wait for the costa brava update!! we’ll be waiting patiently (and full of jealousy, most likely). xo!
the lazy travelers recently posted…rocky mountain highs & lows
yeah…me tooooo…so much to do between now and then and it’s only 3 months away – EEEKKKK
Great pics of people getting lolafied. Adorable pic of you and Latinabroad.
Traveling Ted recently posted…Five essentials when visiting Puebla, Mexico
thanks Ted. it was fun to Lolafy a few peeps. i really need to officially get you #lolafied too! 😉
Any place I get to spend more time with Lola is the best place on earth. Great recap and I can’t wait to take on Spain next.
Leah Travels recently posted…Dining in the Desert Cities
ditto doll! we have a good time together. life is too great not to enjoy & i love doing just that with you too.
Neat sum up of what TBEX was about. I think Lola is becoming well known for the neat person she is, living life and bringing laughter to all around!! BTW, I think there is a pic missing 😉
Raul (ilivetotravel in Twitter) recently posted…Photo of the Week – Walking Home into the Sunset
this is so nice Raul! i’m so glad you get Lola!! i am a lover of life & want to share all the best that it has to offer with a laugh & a smile!! that pic you are referring to will be featured soon – just you wait! 😉
Looks like you had tons of fun! Great recap!
Lorenzo recently posted…Other Than White People, Who Goes Backpacking?
i did have a great time but the time flew by! looking forward to connecting more with travelers and tweeps down the road!
I’ll never forget when you piped up on Twitter and gave me great tips for Miami – and now I’ll get to meet you in Costa Brava? Sweet!
Jenna recently posted…Adelboden: A Swiss Alps dream
i’m so looking forward to it, Jenna! Costa Brava is going to be AWESOME!
Missed out on TBEX this year, looks like good fun though, thanks for the providing the low-down or should that be the lo-la down?!
Fiona recently posted…Ten Great Places to Have Tea in Dublin
hahaha i LOVE that, Fiona. LO-LA down all the way. are you going to try to go to Costa Brava?
LUV! We need to spend waaay more time together next time–TBEX was just a tease. We need a fun getaway without the business aspect bc I’m a workaholic. Gotta take me away from work and into Lola-land of happiness entirely!
Miami whennn!? Maybe NYE 2012-2013?! 😉
ps – sooo nice to meet Raul and Leah as well! You guys are the best trio out there
Nomadic Translator @latinAbroad recently posted…TBEX 2012 review and my 1st Blogiversary! Hard work paying off
ahhh i heart you, Latin Abroad 😉 Lola-land is a great place to be! let’s make a plan SOON!! xo
Can’t wait till TBEX13 so I can join in the fun!
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted…Ospreys of Innisbrook – Picture of the Week
yessss – TBEX 2013 will ROCK IT! they are thinking east of the Mississippi. Boston, Philly, New Orleans are among the cities under consideration. i’m cool with any of those – all great towns 😉
Sad I wasn’t able to meet you!!!! Have fun in Costa Brava!
i’m sure we’ll have another opportunity! i HOPE so, at least 🙂 TBEX was just too fast & furious! where is your home base Hilarye?
Lola, it was great to catch up at TBEX, totally look forward to seeing where in the world Lola goes in the future…
stay adventurous, Craig
Craig Zabransky recently posted…Painting for Pleasure with Scottish Artist Hazel Campbell
i hope that lola’s path crosses with your’s sooner rather than later, mr. stay adventurous. maybe NYC again in the next month or so!! fingers crossed 😉
Love it! TBEX exceeded all of our expectations as well. We’re so excited to see where it takes you. You really need to rock the boa wherever you go though. 😉
Tawny- Captain and Clark recently posted…Our interview with Adam Richman of Man Versus Food.
thanks C&C. i’m excited to see what all comes from TBEX too. best part is already known = new friendships forged. tawny needs a boa next time…maybe chris too. you’ll have to let me know what your signature colors are 😉
I’m so happy that TBEX was a positive experience for you! Sad that I missed seeing you; we’ll have to make up for it soon!
Francesca recently posted…Hometown travel: Chicago area adventures
i missed you too, Francesca. it’s a good reason to make a visit together happen soon!!
Oh and I love that there is a version of the Texan Cuban sandwich included in the writeup 🙂
but of course. never was there a tastier sandwich 😉
Everything about TBEX sounds wonderful! Glad you had fun and enjoy Costa Brava too!
The World Wanderer recently posted…Lunch at The Culinary Institute of America.
it was great but too fast. hoping i can spend a little more time over in Spain – pre or post TBEX.
Love the pics in this posts – so Lola! 🙂 It seems like you had a great time. I would have loved to join you guys.
Pola recently posted…Boutique-shopping: more than dressing up
you will HAVE TO join one of these times Ms. Pola. you just must!!
That pic is so cute! 🙂
Wish Q & I were at TBEX so bad… Too bad this travel thing has to get in the way… =P
Next year!
Gerard ~ GQ trippin recently posted…Shanghai: Dumpling Duel
next year is a GRAND idea. can’t wait to hear the announcement as to where TBEX no. america will be held!! good options no matter. 🙂
Good summary and great seeing you at TBEX!
John recently posted…Confronting the Ethics of Zoos at Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Wichita
awww well thanks mr. travel rinse repeat! i’m glad we got to meet at TBEX and look forward to a meet up or two down the road 🙂