Two years ago, I received the email that changed blogging for me forever.
Notification that my time on the wait list was over
and there was a ticket to the Relevant Conference
waiting for me if I claimed it within 24 hours.
After a brief moment of panic {who will I stay with, what should I wear, I. don’t. know. anyone}, I clicked through the ordering process and happily tweeted: I’m going!
The Relevant Conference is now called Allume Social, but the thoughts of those attending the first time are echoing throughout Twitter and Facebook.
- Who can I room with at Allume?
- What should I wear? Is there a dress code?
- Where should my husband go during the conference time since he’s coming?
- Who will I talk to since I don’t know the other bloggers like some attendees do?
- Will I really fit in since I have a small blog/don’t blog yet/haven’t published an ebook?
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on these topics.
First, I recommend you subscribe to the Allume Blog and read through the Personal Sponsorship Guidelines. Second, know that you are not alone!
(Note: take your photos as early into the weekend as possible, by Sunday you are t.i.r.e.d.)
Getting Roommates
Above you will see me with my amazing friend Stephanie, blogger at Bowmania. Stephanie and I did not know each other until the day we arrived for the conference. I put the word out on Twitter that I was attending and needed roommates. Both Stephanie and Dawn replied to me almost immediately that they thought they had room, but would have to check with their roommates to confirm. Turned out, they WERE each other’s roommates so it was obviously meant to be!
Becoming Friends
We actually did not have a lot of time together at the conference despite being roommates. Stephanie and I were able to bond quickly after leaving the conference, however. We had chatted online several times in the months following the conference, but in early 2011, Stephanie’s home was gutted by fire. I prayed for her, I sent things in the mail to encourage her, and we started sharing prayer requests. Oh the power of prayer. I am happy to share their home is rebuilt and they have even added another son to their family. I have been honored to share in her life and have her share in mine, all because of that “little blogging conference.”
Choose to Belong
So, you may be thinking, “That’s great, you’ve already gotten over your butterflies and made friends.” You might think that because of this I don’t have the same feelings you do or can’t relate to someone attending the first time. However, it is the same choice for every single woman attending: we must choose to seek relationship or choose to be alone. Choose to say hello, this is my first blog conference, is it yours? Choose to say, I feel overwhelmed. Choose to say, my name is _____, what’s yours? Choose to say, is there anything I can pray for you today?
I promise there is someone at Allume God has planned to bless you with if you are willing to step out in anticipation of the blessing.
Is there a question you have about attending Allume? {there are no stupid questions, really!}
Love this! Thanks for sharing
This will be my first time at Allume and my first conference…ever. I needed to read this. Thank you! Hope to meet you there
It will be my first ever conference too. This post hits a nerve since I am very much an introvert and usually keep to myself. But that won’t build relationships OR help grow my blog!
I think I’m really afraid of information overload… getting so much good stuff that I don’t know where to start so I come home and do nothing! The processing step is hard for me! I am super excited about my roommates (all of whom I’ve never met) but also nervous.
and I forgot this one on my post, but what if I don’t get to meet everyone I want to?!
I won’t pretend to say you won’t have information overload, just know that there will be time for processing afterwards…when you take time to begin relationships there, you will find you have the resources AFTER Allume to continue the growth sparked there. Also, I definitely wan’t able to meet everyone I meant to when I attended, but I met people I’ve loved since that I didn’t know before hand…so just know God will put you with people who can bless your socks off!
I’m going to Allume and I am nervous! Thanks for sharing this. I needed it.
So so good!!! Thank you so much for this series, you will help/encourage/bless so many! Grateful for you!
My first conference. What do I have? A ticket and a room. What don’t I have? A roommate or a web site/blog site. Also afraid of information overload as I leave for Israel 10 days later.
This 52 year old, married without children, newby is trusting God with the details. Can I get an Amen!
Definitely connect on twitter or the Allume facebook page, Christin is helping to connect those still looking for roommates. Also, Israel?! Hooray! What an opportunity! God has totally got the details, enjoy your time at Allume.
This will be my first year attending!!! I’ve very excited – rooming with my best friend who lives 2000 miles away from me so that’s going to be great. AND I can’t wait to meet all of you lovely ladies. I’m getting more excited with each day that we get closer!
What a great chance to get together with a friend so far away, I know the feeling!
I would love to go! Unfortunately, can’t go because of finances… but I’m hoping I will be able to eventually
If you can put aside the money every month so that you have it saved to attend next year (assuming there will be one), I highly recommend it. Such a blessing to the soul. And to blogging.
This is my first conference. I relate to all the other comments as well as the post. I’m anxious about leaving my three children home with childcare and my husband when that has not really been done before. As far as meeting other women…well, there a are few that I’ve developed blogging relationships with over the last few years and I am ecstatic to meet them in real person! But what if they don’t like me? Ah, the insecurities! I just pray for the Lord’s blessings on the entire event, both at home and at the conference.
SO SO SWEET!!!! I love you friend.. I am grateful for the way God works and how he brings people into our lives. I CAN NOT WAIT TO SEE YOU!!! Are you ready for a hug and probably some tears???
I will need more tissues than outfits for sure!
Great post. It is true that we each have to make the choice. However, I think that those who are more naturally outgoing, or who are already in their element have less to lose in reaching out. I always think it’s awesome to see people reach out to those who aren’t so confident and comfortable in a situation. Sometimes it’s hard, and I always thank God when I have those opportunities to be the one making it easier for someone else, because I know how very deeply I appreciate it when someone reaches out to me in that way. Even in Christian circles, I have been hurt by the sting of rejection, as I’m sure others have as well. Which is why I think it’s so awesome when the people who are more established in the community are willing to reach out and invite others to join in, making room for them instead of telling them to just jump in. I always used to wish I could be one of those people, and confident enough to just jump in. But now, looking back, I think I’m glad for the empathy that my insecurities and painfully shy personality have allowed me.
Oh how I love reading this perspective…what a blessing to be able to use the perspective to show empathy to others. I remember chatting with women at the tables at the first conference and everyone was talking about their kids, but one of the ladies didn’t have children…or a husband. It was fabulous to shift the conversation to her perspective, her experience. She gave us great insights and was a blessing to me. What I would’ve missed out if I hadn’t asked her to share with us.
I’m so happy you’re going again! I was so nervous year before last, since it was my first ever conference and I didn’t know ANYONE. You and the two Stephanies were great roomies to have! I’m looking forward to the ladies God organized to room with me this year too. That’s one thing I realized: He’s always got a plan!
This post gives me hope…because my name is on the waiting list. I’ve been praying for God’s hand in this – whether that means I go this year or not. But I would LOVE to go. It felt like the right timing for starting my business and needing support from others who’ve gone before me in this process. Will leave it to God’s goodness. He knows what my heart needs….but I’d love to get that email that I’m able to get off the waiting list and go!
YAY! Can’t wait to give you a big hug!!
I can’t wait to see you and your sweet boy…so wild to think that Twitter is how we’ve known and prayed for each other for over two. years! About time we put this relationship into real life!
This is SUCH a valuable post for first timers as well as those going the second time and beyond! Last year was my first year going… super last minute and I am so excited to go and hopefully get more out of it since I am more connected. Last year my site launched the weekend of the Relevant conference… kind of crazy. Thanks for all the good reminders! Hope to meet you there! Angie
So excited and nervous for my first Allume Conference. I only discovered it this week and the Lord opened a door for a ticket and a room. Having the chance to go has confirmed even more the things God has been speaking to me over the last year. I look forward to meeting many of you and being able to soak up the wisdom and encouragement to keep pressing forward. Blessings to each of you and see you soon!
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