How can a four year veteran of BlogHer try to sum up the experience of BlogHer without having previous year's experiences come into play? Well, I can't really. Because one of my favorite things about the post BlogHerCon wrap ups are reading about it through the eyes of the new attendee. The woman who has never been before and shares what she thought of it. Because let me tell you this fact: Walking into a conference of 1,000 woman without ever having done so before can be overwhelming. (Even for those of us who have been doing this for years.)

I loved reading the initial reaction over at A Mother's Balancing Act.

OK, so we're here at BlogHer 2008 (that's fellow White Trash Mom, Michelle Lamar, and I), and I have to say, overall, I am blown away. So far, it's exceeded my expectations...big time. Now, I might temper that with the fact that I really wasn't sure what to expect.

I don't think that anyone who has never been to a BlogHer conference knows what to expect. In fact, those of us who have been to every one of the conferences don't know what to expect from year to year.

She goes on to say how much she does not enjoy going into a big event alone.

Another observation that I would like to relate is that while I am not an introvert (quite the contrary on the whole), I do not enjoy going places alone. That is to say, I do not like to arrive at a party, or
any event, on my own. Never mind that once we are there, I may almost immediately go off on my own. I hate...I repeat. I HATE...arriving alone.

However (and this is the part I loved and want anyone who felt they could not face so much activity to read) she did go on to admit a very important part of her weekend.

I have learned to get along on my own.

And guess what. It's the absolute best thing that could have happened to me...because it forced me to venture out on my own, against my inner self that says, "I don't want to go in alone. I don't want to go up and talk to people I don't even know...they don't want to talk to me...".
Guess what. They don't know anybody either. It has been absolutely
awesome...

And guess what else. I've met the nicest and most interesting people.

That is what the weekend means to so many.Tori over at Baby Bloomr had her own newbie experiences to share as well. She totally got the spirit of the conference. Being a newbie can be hard. Admitting it is awesome because she realized that she had things to learn and people to meet and she left her comfort zone to do so.

Overall, the conference was incredible, and I walked away with a whole lot of
information and inspiration. There were definitely times where I felt a little shy and awkward, which was truly surprising to me; I can’t even remember the last time I felt that way. Maybe middle school. But those moments passed relatively quickly, and anyway, you know what? I AM a newbie at this, I AM just learning the ropes, I barely knew two, count ‘em–TWO people there out of a gazillion, so hey, a little awkwardness is completely appropriate, I’m thinking. I also surprised myself by not jumping into the fat middle of everything with my usual gusto– I was definitely in an observer mode, kind of lurking around the edges, sitting quietly and taking notes. I KNOW, I barely recognized myself! But it was a good thing.

You see, it is okay to go into observation mode at these events because eventually you will come out of it and be sucked into the fun and camaraderie of the group. Just as Tori did.

But the MOST FUN was the second annual
CheeseburgHer party thrown by Lindsay, Y, and Isabel, where a
thundering horde of women all crammed into a hotel suite and ate
burgers and cupcakes. We were stacked up in there, all wearing the
obligatory headgear which was a McDonald’s bag that was handed to us on arrival that we were expected to fashion into some kind of enchanting hat– which, if you saw the elevator photo, I totally did.

Wearing a cheeseburger hat among women you didn't know just days before? That is coming out of your comfort zone. I am so proud of every newbie to BlogHer that found it within herself to do that.

Victoria over at The Mummy Chronicles admitted right up front that it was a crazy blur. (Can I get an AMEN because it was indeed a crazy blur for most of us.) Before going to the conference she heard advice after advice on
how to handle it. But in all honesty, the only way to learn about being at a conference like this one is to live it. And live it, Victoria did!

For me, BlogHer was a very positive experience in so many ways. It was a fun whirlwind of independence from the spouse and family. A place where I am sure many of us women were reveling in the fact that is was just us, being us, for a few solid days. As Lindsay (eek! I got to meet her!) said it best here.
That and it did feel a bit like a women's empowerment movement (I could totally hear the roar.) and a bit like sorority rush but in a good way. BlogHer was a blast. One that I was proud to be able to participate in and felt honored to be recognized as I'm not big fish. I think a good time was had by many if not all and seeing both bloggy friends and real life ones makes the trip across country with stinky toddlers all worth it.

I have to admit having seen BlogHer go from "Wow! We almost have 500 women at this event!" to "We have surpassed 1,000 women!" is mind blowing. I am proud to have been a part of it from the beginning. But I am even more excited to read the words from a newbie to the whole even say that she felt honored to be recognized and that she was proud to participate.

It is good to see what the newbies to BlogHer thought because no matter how much we may try, those of us who have been there from the beginning can lose some of that amazement. Women like these that were new and wrote about how wonderful it was reminds me why I find a way-- no matter how hard it may be-- to get there every year.

Were you new this year? If so, please share your experience. I love reading about it. I love hearing what you learned. Because you newbies who were afraid to go and left feeling empowered and energized (though exhausted) are the ones who keep this community alive and buzzing.

Thank you for coming and sharing your thoughts. It would not have been the same without you.

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Jennifer Satterwhite is a BlogHer Contributing Editor (Mommy/Family),
founder of Mommybloggers.com and writes her personal blog at Mommy
Needs Coffee.