Update: Point (1) has been modified slightly.
An AusWomBlogCon? (Ideas for a proper name rather than an abbreviation are welcome!)
Yes, I’ve talked about this before (in this post – in the comments) but guess what? This time I’m serious.
So serious in fact I need to make a decision in the next 36 hours whether to go ahead or not and I need your help to decide.
Information? Yes, you need some.
1) There are two dates in question: Saturday 22nd May, 2010 or Saturday June 19th, 2010.
2) It will be in Melbourne’s CBD.
3) It will be a half-day meeting split up into three sessions and ending with post-function drinks.
4) These sessions – and panel speakers – have not been decided yet and are open for suggestions. Please feel free to nominate yourself (or someone else) in the comments or via my contact page.
5) As I will be working off the tightest of budgets ever created I highly doubt I could afford to pay the speakers. However, as is the case with certain overseas conferences, I would hope that they would want to appear in kind for the benefit of promoting the community and community spirit we have here in Australia.
6) Working off point (5), there is wireless Internet access available for attendees, but this will not be incorporated into the ticket price. You can arrange to get this from the hotel. For the day the cost – I believe – will be about $20. I’ve made this decision for a few reasons:
* Not everyone will want to bring their laptops to use, even though it is a blogging conference (I can see the irony, never fear).
* Many people have their own (or can arrange to borrow) 3G mobile wireless broadband already for work.
* If you wanted to Twitter, etc. many people can do that from their phones.
7) The cost? Current estimates put me at about $70 per person for the event.
So there you have it. What do you think? Will you come? If you had to put your hand up today? No lurking, please, I need you to be loud and proud! Come say!
Of course, all comments/suggestions are welcomed.
{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
I think it’s a great idea. Do it!
Sounds cool. I reckon go for it.
We may be in Melbourne that time next year, and if so, I will definitely come. Keep me posted and I’ll let you know a little closer to the time.
Great idea
I think it’s a great idea. Are you thinking of sharing the burden of organising or cost? That might help you out, as well as sponsorship.
I’ve never heard of BlogHer but it sounds like an interesting concept. So here are my thoughts:
Yes I think a blogging conference is viable here in Australia.
Would I attend? I would potentially attend a blogging conference (Media140 in Sydney looks interesting though it’s more about social media) but to be honest I probably wouldn’t be very motivated to attend a women’s event. I just don’t see myself as a ‘female blogger’ I guess (i.e. not a mum blogger or a feminist blogger) – and more importantly, I don’t really feel a part of a blogging community (an online community yes, but that’s a bit different again). Sorry if it sounds like I’m splitting hairs – I want to give you my honest opinion. However, it would really depend what the panels were. If something or someone piqued my interest then $70 is not an unreasonable amount to pay for half a day with some kind of boozy function at the end. I guess it would depend how it was pitched. I know that all sounds a bit contradictory – excuse the stream-of-consciousness!
That all said, I think there is potentially a massive audience for that kind of conference – just that the audience prob isn’t me personally. There’s a food bloggers conference getting up at the moment for example, and there’s definitely a power in organising things for niche audiences.
(It’s a small thing but if you could get the venue to throw in wifi I think it would make a big difference – Tim Coronel was tweeting yesterday about how he’s at a tech conference and there’s no internet and how annoying that is. $20 is a lot for one day’s net use – I reckon it would be a nice extra selling point if you could get the venue to throw it in.)
If you have any more questions I’m happy to answer them. I have lots of ideas for panels I would love to see get up in Australia… including many I’d love to speak at! You know where to find me.
This it is a fantastic idea and would most definately go as there is plenty of time for me to plan to go.
If there only was a ten day festival in May which has venue and resources and always looking to umbrella organisations…
Drop us a line if you want to talk
Hey Karen. There is a lot of buzz about the idea of a women’s blogging conference down under. I’d love love love to be part of it. The only thing I’d say is that a half day seminar isn’t very long. I know there are bloggers in Brissy (me!), Far Nth Qld, and WA who would be keen be involved, but it’s a long way to come for only half a day…
Yep. Great idea and one I’ve had myself before now!!! Are you hooked up on the http://www.aussiebloggers.com.au/forum/index.php forum? I think you’d find some support there too.
Yes. I’d love to attend.
I think this sounds like a great idea, but I’m in Brisbane and don’t really have the $$$ to hop down to Melbourne for a day. Would dearly love to though!
Think this would be FAB! I am a sporadic blogger and would LOVE to attend. Pls keep me informed as to progress.
Blessings,
kittybaroque
I think an Australian Women’s Blogger’s Conference is a great idea. However, like Lisa, I am not a Mommy blogger or a feminist blogger, but I am a female who blogs. The deal sealer for me would be who this conference would be pitched at. If most of the speakers and panels were about issues aimed at the Mommy bloggers then I would probably stay away, but if they were aimed at blogging in general I would definitely come along. Plus it would be a great opportunity to meet all my fellow bloggers whose names I know and those I chat to on Twitter or via their blogs.
Go for it! I’d definitely come.
I’ll be there – I’ve scheduled it in my google calendar already. Will have to buy a big warm coat – Melbourne in June… freezing!!!! $70 is a great price – not too much for travellers & new bloggers, but hopefully enough to cover some costs…
The idea sounds great. If like, BlogHer childcare can be organised somehow for those of us who might need it then I’m pretty much a definite. Otherwise for half a day I could probably organise it. Am happy to help in anyway I can.
I think it’s a fabulous idea, but the chances of me getting there are remote with the driving and flying required – it could be two days and an overnight depending on flight times! I think half a day isn’t necessarily a bad thing – I can easily organise babysitting for that, but longer would be harder.
I’d love to see you there but realistically I won’t.
I’d be interested, but probably in something lasting a little longer than half a day. I live on the mid north NSW coast and with the traveling involved I’d like it to be a little more worth while. But I’d definitely like to register my interest!
Anyone want to be hotel roomates?
Absolutely, I think its a great idea, I agree with some of the above commenters about it being quite short to travel to for just the half-day, for those of us from out of town it would be an expensive afternoon, but hey, a weekend away from the kidlets, in Melbourne which I haven’t visited yet, COUNT ME IN!
Sounds exciting.
Love the look of your book, Surprise. I’ll track one down to buy.
Keep on keeping on.
Kelly Burstow
http://www.beafunmum.com
I think it’s a fantastic idea – I’ll come!
I’m a Melbournian so this suits me perfectly. Would love to come. Thank you for taking the initiative to get things moving.
Count me in. Great idea.
Thanks for taking the reins and getting things moving.
I love the idea and would also be interested in helping with the organisation (as well as a teacher, I was an event and training manager in my life before baby) but if I am flying in for the conference I think it needs to be at least one full day to increase the cost:benefit ratio.
Very interested, and would come if it’s in Melbourne. (Even if it’s June 19th which happens to be my birthday!)
It’s an exciting idea and I’m keen to know more, but yes, I think I would probably attend. Kudos to you for getting the ball rolling!
Oh wow! Excellent idea.
But I agree with Cath@Squigglemum, half a day is short. It has to be at least 1 day.
Oh wow! Excellent idea. I’m excited!
But I agree with Cath@SquiggleMum, it has to be at least 1 day.
Oh wow what an excellent idea!
I would love to come and meet the wonderful and lovely Aussie bloggers.
Count me in!
I’m in…. and have already waffled on about it in private LOL
Great Idea! I like too, that it is a Womens conference, not a mummy-bloggers or such event. Nothing against them but I like the broader demographic, think it gives it broader appeal, certainly does for me.
Thank you all for your reponses. I can’t reply individually here, but I will note I understand a) the half-day issues for long distance travellers and b) the distinction between ‘women’ and ‘mums’ that some of you have raised.
I’ll be working on this and will get back to you all with news soon.
Not sure if you are interested, but as so many Australian bloggers also add photographs to their posts perhaps a discussion/workshop around on how to take great photographs for your blog.
I work for a leading photographic brand and we have professional photographic specialists who could lead this discussion/workshop for free. Do let me know if you are interested.
I think it’s a great idea. I’d love to come! How exciting.
A fantastic idea Karen, love it. Would definitely be interested in attending.
Hi Karen, Veronica just told me about this. Count me in. I will definitely be there. Now what can I do to help?
Aus.blog.con sounds fine.
I would be willing to speak as well. Don’t know if anyone would be interested in listening to me waffle on about how blogging has changed my perception of myself and has given me the confidence to announce that I am a ceramic artist.
Looking forward to hearing more about the conference Karen! Personally I LOVE that it’s only a half day conference on a Saturday
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