At Blogher, there is a ton of swag.  I completely underestimated the amount that would be offered to attendees, but there was about one hundred times more than I imagined.

Swag was given in multiple venues, some at parties, some brought to your room, in the Expo room where the sponsors had booths set up and then again once you registered.

I saw greed.  So much greed that it made me sick to my stomach.  I understand that getting free stuff is awesome because it is, I mean, the first party I attended I walked out with a free pair of Crocs and a Kodak HD pocket video camera, in pink, no less.  Among many, many other goodies.

But I walked out happily and grateful with these items, I didn’t yell at party planners, scream, stomp my feet or push anyone to obtain these items.

The first party was the BlogLuxe party where they announced the winners of the Social Luxe awards.  It was an awesome party.  Free food, drinks, manicures, pedicures, great music, it was a fun, vibrant, hip party.

BlogLuxe Blogher 09 5995

I worked with one of the organizers because she hired me to photograph the event for two hours, I saw first hand how hard each of the organizers worked to make the event the success that it was.  I know for a fact they worked for months planning this event with Swiffer.

But a small dark cloud hung over the atmosphere because some attendees, attendees who were attending this party for free, were stealing extra swag bags.  Women were in the lobby yelling at the young girls who were working the booth because there was no more swag available.  Honestly, it was horrifying, it was embarrassing.

Unfortunately, this behavior continued through much of the conference.

We are not entitled to free stuff, companies have faith in US as writers to accept their products and be smart with what is GIFTED TO US.

It is my opinion, that the only swag that should have been guaranteed is the swag that was offered by Blogher when you registered and I only I feel this way because registration cost an attendee $300.  Unfortunately, one of my friends arrived a few hours late because her son wasn’t feeling well and she walked away without her bag of swag from Blogher.  Probably because someone grabbed one too many or someone who didn’t register took one.

We bloggers are a representation of each other, many of us work hard to gain integrity and trust when working with corporations, we want to maintain professionalism when dealing with large companies such as Tide, Swiffer, PepsiCo, etc.

And when it comes to the smaller companies, I think it’s important that bloggers can make them feel certain that their smaller PR/marketing budget will be put to good use when working with the strong presence of women bloggers.

I understand that when we register for this conference we are under the assumption that swag will be given to us and that is why many of individuals opt to attend.  But maybe instead of running through the conference trying to GRAB AS MUCH AS WE CAN CARRY, we just accept was is available and just be grateful.

And I’m not pointing fingers at anyone in particular, I’m just wishing some people behaved differently.  It scares that if mothers are behaving this way, what are we teaching our children?

I’m frustrated that so much greed existed.  I’m sad for the party planners because some attendees walked into the parties and walked out thirty seconds later with their swag bags in hand.

It’s not about the swag and I’m frustrated that right now, the Blogher buzz is about the swag. (I realize that by me writing this post, I am just adding to this problem, I’m torn on publishing, I honestly am.)

I know that the majority of the attendees were kind, honest, patient people who really just wanted to meet their online community and take what they could from the sessions.

I met so many amazing people, both bloggers and individuals from PR firms and I swear to you, that TRUMPS any swag I may have received.

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