What to Pack for BlogHer

I'm going to BlogHer in July and I'm way excited. I was able to attend one event at the BlogHer Business conference last March and loved it. I'm thinking a whole conference will blow me away. Cool people. Good ideas. And speaking of good ideas, here's your chance to get in on the action. Design Mom is welcoming sponsors for her BlogHer Conference Trip. Sponsorships are available in the following areas:

1) Airfare
A direct flight from either JFK or LaGuardia to Chicago please. Do you have a parent on the board of directors for Jet Blue? Delta? American Airlines? Other? Hook me up. I'll make [Your Airline Here] the official airline of Design Mom. Or maybe you're a smaller (cash poor) company but you have a stock of transferable frequent flyer miles? You know how I love to support small businesses. . .


2) Hotel
BlogHer has booked blocks of rooms at two fine Chicago Hotels. Chicago City Centre and W Lakeshore. While either will be lovely, I don't think I'm going to shock anyone if I say I'm more of a W kind of girl. Anyone out there have a connection with Starwood Hotels? I'll need a room on Thursday, July 26th, Friday, July 27th and Saturday, July 28th.

3) Meals
I have no idea what to expect for meals. Will I be eating at the conference? Will I be going out? Room Service? Who can tell? I assume this will need to be a cash stipend. Ask my kids: everybody suffers if Design Mom is hungry.

4) Wardrobe
I'm thinking mostly dresses. Although a good pair of jeans is imperative as well. And something to wear with the jeans. Plus luxe pjs — goes without saying. Think you have the goods to dress Design Mom? Let me know. (Do you do dresses but not jeans? I'll be happy to accept several sponsors in this area.)

5) Accessories/Jewelry
Earrings. Bracelets. Necklaces. Cocktail rings. Belts. I don't know exactly what I'll need yet. But I know it needs to be fabulous. You know everyone will be asking me where I got that gorgeous bracelet/necklace/ring — will I tell them about your company? Send me an email if you'd like to be a sponsor.

6) Shoes
Really, it will depend on how the wardrobe develops. But I'm guessing at least 3 pairs will be involved. Maybe 5. Do you own a shoe store? Or. Does your company have nothing to do with shoes, but you'd like to sign on as the shoe sponsor? Let's talk.

7) Handbags
It's true about ladies and handbags — you just can't have enough. It's an addiction. I'm going to need something really smart to carry during the day. Something with room for my laptop, cell phone and a cute little notebook. Plus lip gloss. Then, I need a hip little something to carry to dinner.


8) Luggage
Design Mom has to represent. I can't show up at the hotel with tattered, mismatched luggage. But it's really only a 3-day trip and I don't need anything montrous or hardcore. I have my eye on this Orla Kiely roller case (and there's a matching shoulder bag, duffel and handbag as well). But I would consider any high quality, of-the-moment luggage set you'd like to sponsor. In fact, almost anything from Flight 001 would be perfect. 2 pieces should be plenty — a mid-size rolling case and a largish shoulder bag.


9) Cell Phone
I've got a cell phone, of course. But it's time for an upgrade. I'm pretty clueless about phones. What do I need? A Razr? Do they come in red? And note — it's got to work with my Verizon contract. Want me to try another phone company that's got particularly good coverage in Chicago? I'll also consider a prepaid phone contract on a chic phone with enough minutes to get me through the conference. (Read: enough minutes to call home every 1/2 hour to check in on the family.)


10) Laptop
Although I'm on a destop computer at home, while at the conference I'll need to be able to blog on the go. And in style of course. A Mac Book or Mac Book Pro should do the trick nicely. Are you a tech company trying to reach women? Consider a sponsorship.

11) BlogHer registration
There's no point in going to BlogHer if I'm not registered! BlogHer has made a point of keeping registration costs low so that more women can attend. It's not unusual for a business conference of this caliber to cost $1000 or more, but BlogHer registration is only $205.93.

If you, or your blog, or your company is interested in being a sponsor (read: interested in helping Design Mom keep it real) or you know someone who might be, please send me a quick email letting me know which category(s) you're interested in supporting, and I'll give you all the sponsorship info: What you'll get. What you'll give. How cool you are.

Think I'm joking? Does Design Mom ever joke when handbags are involved? I'm absolutely, positively welcoming sponsors for this trip. Design Mom Sponsors are so the new black.

5/17 UPDATE:
So exciting!! It looks like I've got 2 categories sponsored. Only 9 more to go. I'll post with more details in a few days.