Each year the Wine Bloggers Conference works hard to balance three things when it comes to providing the right content and experience:
1) Academic and technical information about blogging 2) Wine tasting, touring, and regional wine information 3) Fun social eventsAnd each year we reach out to you for content suggestions to fill the technical side of the conference content. We want to know what it is you are interested to learn about and from whom. Please send us suggestions that include contact information, if you have it, and clear details on what it is you want to hear more about during one of these three sessions:
1) Lively, entertaining, and relevant Keynote Speakers 2) “About Wine Blogging” Friday Breakout Session 3) Sunday Breakout SessionsPlease send us your ideas via an email to info@WineBloggersConference.org ; via a Comment on this blog page (http://winebloggersconference.org/america/), or via a Tweet that includes #WBC10. Content suggestions will be harvested and the best ideas will then be presented to registered participants in the form of a survey in March.
This year we have allocated more time to academia in the form of a 1.5 hour About Wine Blogging session to take place on Friday. This is in addition to 3 hours of the popular Breakout Sessions on Sunday and the conference Keynote Speakers. For more data on the conference itinerary, visit the conference AGENDA.
“About Wine Blogging” Breakout Sessions: We will divide into three groups for a presentation and discussion about wine blogging. Novice Bloggers will learn the basics of blogging, including blog platforms, choosing a subject, adding graphics and video, economics of blogging, etc. Advanced Bloggers will discuss high-level topics such as dealing with burnout, measuring your visitor statistics, interviewing subjects, and more. Those who are not blogging will participate in a session on Working with Bloggers that focuses on how wineries and other wine industry professionals can improve their collaboration with bloggers.
Sunday Breakout Sessions: The Sunday breakout sessions will be presentations by industry professionals who are experts on blogging and social media. We will specifically include content geared towards both bloggers and those in the wine industry who wish to begin learning about how to use blogging and social media. There will be two 40-minute sessions running simultaneously (you need to choose which to attend) for three periods in a row. Breakout sessions are attended on a first come first serve basis and are not assigned or registered for in advance. Sessions details coming soon.
We look forward to seeing you and your content suggestions at the 2010 Wine Bloggers Conference!
Cheers!
I'd like to see a technical and/or hands on presentation on Word Press – widgets, apps, suggestions etc for self hosted.
Thanks Szymanskiea.
One other content suggestion from this newbie blogger:
“If you can't say something nice…: how to write about wine you don't like”
I have several times wanted to write about a winery or tasting room/shop when I simply wasn't impressed with a wine. Especially if I've had a positive experience with the people and/or met someone personally, I don't want to write negatively about the wine. On the other hand, I am not going to give something an inflated review if I truly wasn't impressed. I'd love suggestions on how to handle this situation.
Great title suggestion! I'd hate to think that we're in the position of writing versus blogging, though. Couldn't we instead agree that “Blogging IS writing: how new media needs to adopt some old media habits?”
Does anyone have any suggestions for a suitable grammar (and, perhaps, fact-checking) guru to give the talk?
I like Erika's idea. I would include it in a broader discussion of “Blogging vs. writing – How new media needs to adopt some old media habits.” This would include fact checking, which is one of MY pet peeves. I'd be happy to participate on a panel as someone who deals with this nearly every day.
Keynote speaker ideas: Brian Solis, Kevin Zraly, Jancis Robinson, Tyler Colman
How about a session on grammar and word choice? In point #1 above, do you mean “Lively, entertaining, and relevant Keynote Speakers,” or do you really want me to invite my uncle?
I am a brand new blogger, but grammar is a pet peeve of mine, so please forgive me for being persnickity.