Seven reasons why attending a blogger retreat or hosting one yourself is well worth the time and investment. Plus a look back at my recent visit to Park City, Utah for the Better Blog Retreat.
A couple months ago I was invited to attend the Better Blog Retreat in Park City, Utah hosted by my dear friends Heidi and Maria. Attendees were a combination of new and old blogging friends from around the country including Ali E., Ali M., Andie, Kathryne, Kristin, Kelly, Laura, Liren, Monique and Sarah. Needless to say, I was in good company. These ladies are all so incredibly talented, it is humbling.
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Whether you’re a fellow blogger, small business owner or entrepreneur, I can’t tell you how beneficial these small retreats have been for me both personally and professionally. While I still attend and love larger conferences and workshops, there is something so unique, special and incredibly productive about spending a couple days in an intimate setting with people you admire and respect. If you ever have the chance to attend or host a blogger retreat, I can’t recommend it enough. And just in case you need more convincing, here are several reasons why you should attend or plan a small retreat:
Foster Relationships with Quality Face Time: I’ve said it once and I’ll say it 100 more times: nothing beats quality time in person with fellow bloggers. You can tweet, snap or instagram all you want, I am here to say that after six years of blogging, you can’t replace face time with online time. I am confident that one of the biggest reasons for my success is my strong network of blogging friends. Hands down, that is in large part due to the fact that I spend a lot of time traveling to around the country to foster these relationships. They are more important to me than I can describe and I am so grateful for each and every person in my tribe.
Cozy Living Room Breakout Sessions: One aspect of casual blogger retreats that I love most is the fact that the brainstorming sessions happen around the fireplace in the living room on cozy couches. Having attended countless meetings and workshops in hotels and conference facilities, it is a breath of fresh air to be able to conduct business conversations in a more casual and intimate setting.
Less People = Better Food: After years in the hospitality industry feeding hundreds of people in one sitting, it is a simple fact that the smaller the crowd, the better the food. Blogger retreats are generally less than 20 people which means you have more options and flexibility when it comes to creating a menu for the weekend.
Between delicious home cooked meals and dining out at local hotspots, I challenge you to find better food at any other type of blogger event. A huge shout out to Private Selection, Arla, Deer Valley and Lindt who kept us well fed throughout the #BBRetreat!
Sweat it Out Together: Almost every retreat I’ve attended or hosted has involved a fitness activity of some sort and I highly recommend it if you ever plan a blogger retreat yourself! Whether it’s a group yoga class, a beach walk or an early morning hike, nothing beats sweating it out together with fellow bloggers. One of the highlights of the Better Blog Retreat was our extremely informative and useful running clinic taught by none other than the owner or Altra running shoes.
You Control The Agenda: Unlike a conference, press trip or other traditional blogger event, hosting a retreat gives you the unique opportunity to control the agenda. From food photography to working with brands to SEO to balancing work/life, I highly recommend surveying the attendees to find out what they want to learn more about and shaping the itinerary around those topics. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses so chances are, someone attending will be an expert in a topic someone else wants to learn more about and vice versa.
Opportunity to Explore a New City: One reason I travel so frequently is the opportunity to explore new destinations. While this wasn’t my first visit to Park City, it was my first time visiting in the fall. I knew I was in for a treat since the fall is my favorite time of year. Let me tell you, the foliage did not disappoint! Of course if I’m being honest, the views from Deer Valley are breathtaking any time of year.
Candid Conversations: Whenever I attend larger events, I’ve always noticed that the best conversations happen “offline” – either in line waiting for coffee, in the morning getting ready with your roommates or late at night drinking wine in the hotel lobby. Due to the intimate nature and casual settings of smaller retreats, candid conversations are essentially the only types of conversations that take place. There are no formal speakers, no huge parties and no large group events where you have to fight to be heard. Everything is extremely relaxed and as a result, condusive to having quality candid conversations that will help grow your business more than any formal breakout session or keynote speaker ever could.
Once again, I must give a HUGE thank you to our Better Blog Retreat hosts, Maria and Heidi. Having planned several retreats myself, I know how much time, work and energy goes in to making these events a success. Additionally, thank you to all of the dedicated brands who made the trip possible and kept us well fed the entire weekend: Lindt, Arla, Private Selection, Deer Valley, Altra and Albion Fit.
Tara
Looks like a great time, such a positive experience!!
Liz DellaCroce
It really was great – thanks so much Tara!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet
What an awesome retreat! Great food, great setting (gorgeous pics!), great company – I agree with all the reasons you mentioned!
Liz DellaCroce
It was so good to get away and have FaceTime! I hope we get to connect in person soon!
Sandy @ Reluctant Entertainer
Great tips, and I loved being at the BBR. Of course love UT! :)
Liz DellaCroce
I hope 2016 is off to a great start for you!
Gaby
Looks like such a fun and educational weekend!! Face time is so IMPORTANT in our industry :)
Liz DellaCroce
I can’t wait to have some much overdue FaceTime with you in Portland!!
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama
I keep seeing these smaller blogger retreats popping up more & more, and they always look so fun & amazing. :) I have been to larger blogger conferences & on smaller press/media trips (10 bloggers or less), and I have always loved those smaller trips because you get the chance to interact and chat more with your fellow bloggers. I have actually been kicking around the idea of co-hosting a blogger retreat myself… I hope I can find the time & resources to make it happen this coming year. :)
Liz DellaCroce
I highly recommend it – it’s well worth the time and investment!! Let me know if i Can help any way!
Jennifer
It’s great to be able to get together with people in your same industry and trade ideas, advice and just learn from one another. I’m in a mastermind group and we meet regularly via Skype, but I can see how having several days together would be really beneficial!
Liz DellaCroce
That’s great that you do Skype masterminds! That really is so smart!! Maybe we need a travel blogger retreat!!!
Lori @ RecipeGirl
You know how I feel about retreats- love them!!! Such a valuable experience for all. I would have loved to go to this one since there are so many attended who I have not met yet. Thanks for sharing your lovely experience!
Liz DellaCroce
We are all indebted to you for bringing retreats to the blogging world!! I hope 2016 brings us on the same retreat!!
Kate
Looks so fun!! What a gorgeous spot!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much Kate!!
Amanda Finks
Great post! Attending a few blogging conferences has been on my agenda for 2016. But smaller blogging retreats sound like they would be much more my speed. :)
Liz DellaCroce
I have enjoyed both and I will say, I met a ton of people at conferences when I was first starting out and not getting invited to retreats. They’re both great for different reasons that’s for sure!
Emma {Emma's Little Kitchen}
Wow, what an incredible opportunity, looks lush!!
Liz DellaCroce
It was so gorgeous Emma!! Like Michigan but with mountains!
Kristen
Isn’t Park City the prettiest? BBR is a great retreat! And your tips are great too :)
Liz DellaCroce
Omg…seriously the prettiest! It’s a little wonderland. Rich says I’m not allowed to go again without him – lol.
Jamie | The Kitchenarium
This looks fabulous. I would love to attend an event like this –the small group is where I fit in best!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes!! there is just something so wonderful about the intimate nature of a retreat!
Monique @ Ambitious Kitchen
I had so much fun with you and 100% agree with everything you said. It’s been amazing to connect with you offline.
Liz DellaCroce
I am so grateful for our adventures together this year!! I really hope we have many more together in 2016 – let’s make it happen!!
Julie Blanner
I hope to, especially one that is a mix of food, home and entertaining bloggers – when I get together with food bloggers in St. Louis, it’s clear that while in the same industry, there is so much we can learn between genres.
Liz DellaCroce
That is the absolute truth! I’m pretty involved in my local blogging group and I’m one of the few food bloggers. I learn SO much from them!!
Maria
So glad you were able to join us!! I love spending time with you! You are always so positive and willing to share your knowledge and talents! The blogging community is lucky to have you! xo
Liz DellaCroce
Awww you are so sweet Maria! Thank you so much for all of your hard work, time and energy planning an incredible weekend I’ll never forget. I hope to see you again soon in 2016!