SOBCon Report - Landed Home
While of course I am happy to be home with my family there is a part of me that is already missing the people of SOBCon. I am full up with a cold now, some strange foreign nasty I picked up on my travels, but even so I am on a high.
The subtitle of the conference should have been “Hugfest 2008″. I have never had the quantity and quality of hugs from so many people. This will be one of my enduring take aways and I am deadly serious. Until the internet can deliver a hug experience, ie. an unmistakable and deep human connection, we will need to keep going to events such as SOBCon (especially SOBCon).
Liz told me what to expect but of course the reality can never be done justice with words, it has to be experienced.
As far as learnings, my head is still buzzing. Every single person I met gave me a new, fresh and invigorating perspective. There are people using this social media stuff for everything from adversity, to parenting to health. We had an expert on making sales coming from the other direction and wanting to make community, and we had the guys with community asking how they can make sales without losing the trust of their audience. A lot to process. I am sure there are lots of reports popping up all over and I will try to link to some in a future post.
One thing is for sure. You have to make SOBCon09.
Posted on May 05th, 2008 by Chris Garrett in News
Welcome back to Yorkshire Chris!
I’ve read alot of good things coming out of SOBCon and Chicago is a city I have wanted to visit. I’ll be booking a few days off work in 2009 and making sure I head there next year.
Hope you feel better soon Chris - thanks for sharing all the pictures. Feeling a little jealous…
Hi Chris!
Everyone was so glad to have you in Chicago for SOBCon, especially me. You were one of those people who added perspective and new views that everyone needed to hear. And they’re writing about it already.
Thank you for coming! Thank you for all you did to make it a success!! I sure like all of the pictures I see of you smiling.
@Darren - Maybe we can travel there together next year and geek out all the way there and back?
@Randa - Book early for the next one, I for one would love to see you there!
@Liz - I couldn’t STOP smiling, I have face ache from a 4 day long grin
Oh, I plan to be there in ‘09. Unexpected hospital stay put a wrench in plans this year.
Chris, one of the best things about sobcon was meeting you and talking with you in a way I hadn’t really expected. We had some great conversation, and I’m very glad to have gotten to know you a little.
Hi Chris,
Just found out about your blog. Bought your ProBloggers book and lots of very helpful information in both!
I quite agree with you about the inability of the net to produce a real “hug.” The net brings so many people together in SO many ways, but NOTHING will replace actual human contact. I imagine you’re familiar with the “Free Hugs” campaign - http://youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4 - it has over 26 million views on YouTube…people do enjoy the warmth of real connection.
Keep bloggin!
Chris,
So great an experience, and so humbling. On the flip side, it opened my eyes that we’re all people, none of us superhuman. It also left my head dizzy with thoughts. Oh to have taken today off from work…how tempting it was.
Glad you are least home safe, if not well. Maybe one too many hugs? Ha.
Best,
Todd
I hope someone organises one for Australia (where I am).
Surely they could have found a warmer place than Chicago! (The reason for the cold?).
Looking forward to hearing what you learnt. It is really good to hear that there were lots of hugs. One of the really great thing about the blogosphere is how supportive and generous it is I think.
As Liz said, it was fantastic to see you be a part of SOBCon and have the opportunity to meet you. Your presentation was outstanding and has already given me some direction and clarity on what I need to do, so thank you for that.
One thing is for certain and that is that you do not suck! =)
Everyone looks like they had a GREAT time!!!
HUGGING??? Now I’m REALLY jealous!!!
It’s nice to hear that bloggers are just as nice in person as they often appear on their blogs. Of course, nice people attract nice people too.
Hey Chris haven’t commented on here for a while now, anyways I had party the night of sobcon
wanted to have signed book by you lol.
ttyl
Chris:
Finally we meet - it was great meeting you. You did a marvelous job with your presentation at SOBCon08.
I was pleasantly surprised at the caliber of people at the conference. I felt very much connected at the conference and look forward to 09.
I wish we had more time to interact but then that’s what we can do in 09, right?
Stephen
It was a hugfest! Well put. And you were a star. Heck, we all were stars. It was amazing. Thanks for being such an important part of the conference - and the connections.
LOL, yes, it sure was a hugfest! LOL. That made me laugh and smile at the memories. I’m still reeling from the experience. It was hugely awesome and you were definitely a “superstar without the attitude.”
It made me want to get to know you more because I am drawn to people who are not only authentic but also humble and gracious. People can be rock stars without having an ego-fest and your feet were firmly planted on the ground. In fact, you were very approachable! I’m a new fan of yours now.
@Grant - ‘09 will rock
@Michael - Same here, let’s not make it the last time
@Stan - Glad you like the book, did you see Darren only just got to see his copy?
@Todd - I blame the airline air, but if it was the hugs well I would do it all again
@Evan - Prod Darren and Yaro to get one going locally
@Derek - Thanks, I appreciate it, and glad we got a chance to chat
@Lightening - It was like seeing my twitter page come alive!
@Live Crunch - Maybe next time?
@Stephen - Definitely 2009 let’s continue where we left off, if not before
@Lorelle - It was great to meet up and chat Lorelle. Thanks for not throwing me over the side of the boat
@Stephen - Awww thanks
It was great to meet you, Chris, after communicating online this past year… your talk was great, too, by the way… I thought you were hilarious.