Mom 2.0 Summit: Where Smart People Gather

Why invest the time and energy in a conference? Because things happen there that will never happen when you sit at your desk. No. No one handed me a television show or a check for $50,000 to produce exclusive fashion content. Here’s what did happen: I got to spend three days with women (and a few men) who believe in the power of social media. There will be words and plenty of them to come when I share my recaps with the fine folks at PepsiWIN who sent me to Miami. For now, I’d like to tell the story in photos. First, take a gander at Carrie and Laura–the driving forces behind 2.0. Don’t you love the parasols?

Day 1 was a white party and I didn’t bring my camera down–which was a bummer. I did capture this cute photo of Megan (Socialmoms), Jill (Glamamom) and Isabel (AlphaMom) on my Droid which takes the world’s worst photos. Sorry ladies you looked so much better than this photo!

Day 2: Panel time! Check out this blog power–Karen (chookooloonks) and Gabby (designmom.com)plus yours truly. Jessica (Red Rover & MommasGoneCity) was our moderator and everyone loved her little assistant.

Whew! With that over I got to soak up the wisdom of others and hobnob with my girls. I loved catching up with the very funny, very cute Samantha Ettus and my new friend Emily Founder of Tea Collection.

These smart, savvy, and might I add well dressed women, shared their dreams and successes. Lots and lots of sharing and inspiring. The best things that happened for me were the small conversations nabbed over lunches or stolen chats out in the sun outside the glorious Ritz conference rooms. Speaking of the Ritz, check out my room. Awesome.

Let’s not forget about the fashions. I loved all the shoes on display. Jill had a great pair from Kohl’s and Katherine’s (of postpartumprogress.com) ‘FEARLESS’ bracelet was awesome.

 And then there were the ladies sponsored by Lands’ End–Jenny (Jennyitup) and Emily (Momminitup). I Loved everything they had on! What a great partnership.

Speaking of sponsors. I loved the 12 (that’s right not dozens–so savvy to make the interactions small and meaningful) with Honda. I’ve never worked with them before but loved my new CRV test drive.

Day 3: I kicked off the day with Yoga overlooking the ocean. And in between session got in some great pool time. Yes, the experiences were grand.

Women talked about big ideas–It was all very rich content. It wasn’t the keynote speakers that got me revved up (in general they didn’t dazzle–except for the session led by Maggie that had Pilar (ex-Cookie now at Martha Stewart), Liz Lange and Lee from GlassyBaby–it was the smaller moments that didn’t have a build up, where women laid it all out on the table about money, fears and success.

And then there was the final night. Mom Blog Prom if you will and the sparkles came out. Mary Ann Zoellner (TodaysMoms.com) tried to go all out in Miami style. What do you think of us as human disco balls?

For the most part I’m a spoiled New Yorker. Everything and everyone comes through our city eventually. We get the chance to meet with so many brands and attend so many parties. I often have a blasé attitude about traveling to work. But something special happens when you get out of your comfort zone. And the ideas that I generated here will serve me well in the next year. Because you simply can’t do this at your desk in Brooklyn…

 Next year is Laguna Beach, CA. Will you join me? For more details visit hwww.mom2summit.com