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This is my first post here on the BlogHer site. Last month, I attended my very first BlogHer conference, BlogHer ’09. I attended both the Business and main conferences. Prior to attending, I read about several of the green features that were being implemented at the conference. Some were carried over from previous years and some were new for 2009. It was great to see that a conference of this size was trying to reduce its environmental impact and I laud the efforts of the entire conference staff for doing so.
Once I got there, I saw recycling containers all over the place. I didn’t see any bottled water, but thankfully many of the conference rooms had water dispensers. I forgot my SIGG bottle and my new Klean Kanteen didn’t make it to me in time to take to the conference so I was thirsty! I envied all the smart attendees that brought their own reusable water bottles and wished that I hadn’t forgotten mine. In the grand scheme of things, forgetting that wasn’t as bad as forgetting, say, my deodorant. ;)
Although I applaud BlogHer for making the conference greener than previous conferences, I was quickly overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff that one receives at such a conference. I had read about it prior to attending, but really had no clue.
When I departed for BlogHer, my suitcase weighed 44 pounds. Upon return, it weighed 54 pounds. I put a good 75% of the items that I received back into the swag recycling area because I’d never use it. How many USB drives does one really need, right?
In a time were less is more, the excess at the conference just really threw me for a loop. Every night I sat on the bed in my room with a view and weeded through what I would realistically use, and use in the near-term, and what just needed to be donated. I only went to one additional party (which was a lot of fun) so I only had a little extra swag. In the few weeks since BlogHer, I’ve seen what some people brought home and wow – one person had an entire bed was covered in swag.
Not that I’m complaining, I enjoyed myself and took what I could use and put the rest back for someone else to use. However, I just have a few suggestions on reducing the amount of “stuff” at next year’s conference, to help make it even greener.
- Put all of the media kits on a single BlogHer branded USB drive. As I walked through the Expo Hall, I felt like I was being showered with USB drives. At that time, I wasn’t sure what was on them but once I got back to my room I realized that they had media kits. I like the idea of having the media kits handy but if all of the sponsors and expo hall attendees’ kits were on one USB drive, the event’s electronic waste would be reduced, significantly.
Allow conference attendees to opt out of the special in-room deliveries. The roses were pretty but I don’t remember the name of the company that sponsored the delivery. The Bounce made me gag. I am very sensitive to smells (can we say migraines?) and would have preferred to not have a big smelly toxic bar in my room. I made a special trip down to the swag recycle table with that one. I also received two iVillage bags. I’m guessing that this is because I attended both Business and the main conference. However, I brought my own bag to the conference so didn’t need the extras. If conference attendees can opt out of certain things, waste (or recycled items) will be reduced and the sponsors can save money by not purchasing as many items.- There was one green session and I loved to be near the women behind the blogs that I read regularly. The “going green” movement is gaining momentum and I would love to see an entire green blogging track next year. I understand that there are hundreds of popular niche blogging markets and that a track can’t be created for each one but right now is the time to capitalize on the popularity of the eco-conscious movement. It is something that will be life changing for the next generation.
Overall, I enjoyed myself.
