If you’ve ever been to a blogging conference, you know that one of the most fun perks is the swag. Sponsors of the event fill up registration bags with gifts and hand out products and trinkets at their booths. I suppose this happens at other conferences, too, but I’ve never received sponsor gifts as great as the ones I get at Blissdom!
A few of my favorites this year included an automatic (“magic,” as we’re calling it in our house) soap dispenser from Simple Human, a copy of The Lorax, and a plastic cup with lid and straw from Crocs. (I know. Who gets excited about a plastic cup? Right. I do.)
I also got a couple t-shirts, a couple reusable canvas bags, and a bag of Hershey Bliss chocolate eggs that I may or may not have devoured. But far and away, my all-time favorite sponsor gift EVER was a pair of Dr. Scholl’s sneakers from Famous Footwear.
First of all, getting a free pair of shoes is awesome, am I right? I don’t really need any other reasoning for this. But I have it anyway! The shoes are cute and, even more important to me, they are super comfy. And, boy, did I need comfy shoes after being on my feet for several hours and then cramming my toes into pointy heels for the Girls’ Night Out party at Blissdom!
After working on the Blissdom staff this year, I know the conference would not exist if it weren’t for the amazing sponsors who are so very generous to the attendees. From cookies and yogurt to greeting cards and wrapping paper, the sponsors of Blissdom gave the best gifts this year.
The only downside was getting it all to fit in my bags! (And saying a sad goodbye to the remaining chocolate eggs that wouldn’t fit in my carry-on . . .)
Have you ever gotten a cool gift at a conference?
Top photo taken by my new friend Nancy Doud. Second photo taken by the amazing Casey Mullins.
The freebies at teacher conferences are pens, a bookmark here and there, pens, stickers, and pens. Apparently I need to start attending blogging conferences!
Yes, come to a conference with me! :)
Those shoes are cool! And much more practical than the pointy heels. The coolest thing I got last year was a pair of Jockey underwear (which are, by the way, holding up well and very comfortable!)–wouldn’t it be horrible if I posted a picture of THAT on my blog? :)
Ummm, yeah, it’s a little bit harder to go on and on about a pair of underwear, isn’t it? :)
At a booksellers show we walked away with TONS of books, many signed by the authors!
Oooh, books really are my favorite – even better than chocolate!
I do enjoy a good swag bag. I’m coveting those shoes! One of the coolest things I got at Blissdom last year was a pair of Jockey running pants. They’re super comfortable! At She Speaks we got a bunch of books, which made me happy indeed.
Books are ALWAYS a good conference takeaway!
Did you have to tell them your shoe size ahead of time or something? Did you wonder why? :)
They just had a mountain of boxes there. So you went to the booth, told them your size, and they found it and gave it to you!
Would you believe I still haven’t worn my shoes? They look so much like my gray Converse that I just haven’t felt like taking them out and wearing them. I might give them to my mom. I do love getting free shoes.
Oh, and I took my roommate’s Crocs cup when she decided to leave it behind.
Two pairs of gray sneakers is probably overkill. But I will say – the Dr. Scholls are crazy comfy. Your mom will thank you. ;)