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Entries in Las Vegas (9)
Angry Skies Over Eiffel
Sunday, January 9, 2011 | Share Article 
I created this image from a photo I took on a recent trip to Las Vegas. I bet you were thinking Paris perhaps?
Vegas Photowalk
Monday, November 8, 2010 | Share Article These images are from a couple of photowalks I took with attendees of the recent Blog World and New Media Expo held in Las Vegas October 14-16 at the Mandalay Bay Resort. It was my first trip to Las Vegas and both the photowalks and conference were a lot of fun. Enjoy!
The Wynn Resort
The Luxor
The Eiffel Tower at the Paris Resort
The Excalibur
Vegas Flowers
The Luxor Statues
The Sphinx at Luxor
The Harley Davidson Store
Luxor Guardians
Juggler at Bellagio
Circles
The Luxor Sphinx in Black and White
The Harley Davidson Sign
The Statue of Liberty at the New York, New York Resort
Blog World 2010 Tech Karaoke - Don't Stop Believin'
Friday, October 22, 2010 | Share Article
This is more video from the closing night TechKaraoke party at Blog World 2010 in Las Vegas. The party was at The Pearl theatre at the Palms Hotel and Casino with a live band! As you can see, EVERYONE had a great time! Enjoy!
My Impressions of Blog World 2010 As A First Timer
Thursday, October 21, 2010 | Share Article 
Photo: Me and Scott Stratten (@unmarketing) at Blog World 2010
Going into Blog World, I didn't really know what to expect since this was my first social/new media conference. I've been active in social media since January 2009. Before then, I only dabbled, dipping my toe in the water and hiding behind a veil of secrecy. It's when I decided to stop observing and start participating that everything changed for me. I stopped worrying about what people might think and started having conversations. I've met some wonderful people along the way and established some great friendships, even though it was just through short, 140 character messages on Twitter. This extended to email, voice and video calls with some of my online friends. The power of social media for me is the ability to cast a wide net and have the opportunity to meet people you never would meet. Some of my best friends are those I have met through Twitter and Facebook.
Although meeting and interacting online has its benefits in opening up the entire world to you, it is still rather a one dimensional interaction. Anyone can create a Twitter and/or Facebook account, slap up any picture or graphic for their avatar, write an enticing bio and become who they want to be. I believe in being authentic, online as in real life. This is the main reason I decided to change my Twitter name to my real name. My avatar is a photograph of me. My bio is the real me. I believe there is no room for fakes. If you want to be anonymous on social media, I'm all for it. You just need to state that fact up front. I can respect people who want to be private, just be upfront and honest about it.
As I mentioned in my blog post, Why I Decided To Change My Twitter Name, authenticity is key for me. I owe that to the people I interact with online. While that is all well and good, something was missing. I needed to take another step and put myself in a position to meet those same people face-to-face, in real life. I made that a goal and this past week I followed through by attending the Blog World and New Media Expo in Las Vegas.
As a introvert, I'm not usually one to insert myself, voluntarily, in unfamiliar surroundings with people I don't know; and some, only knowing from online exchanges. What better way to accomplish this goal then to fly out to Las Vegas, alone, and see what happens. Needless to say I was more than apprehensive about it. What if everyone ignores me? What if everyone thinks "who's this and why should we talk to you?" I was about to find out.
In the weeks leading up the Blog World, I began following the #bwe10 hashtag on Twitter to get keyed into who was going and to reach out to make contact with some of those individuals. To my surprise, there was a vibrant and active community forming and I was able to establish some contacts, many with people who were also attending their first conference.
If I had to describe my Blog World experience in one word it is: AWESOME! Along with some informative sessions, the best thing I got out of Blog World was the in-person connections I made with many of the people I interact with online. Not only personal connections but business as well. The network effect was on display in all it's glory. Now I know why people in the know about social media rave about meeting up at conferences. It finally clicked for me this past week. Online interaction and social media is great for establishing contact with people you normally would never know existed, wonderful people. To complete the circle, you need to get out there and meet and interact in real life! There is no substitute, no app or social media website that can take the place of live, face-to-face interaction. Now I realize not everyone has the opportunity to travel and attend conferences but if you do, you're making a big mistake not getting out there.
I know this is just a first step for me. I made it through my rookie season and now I'm ready to continue this journey and also help others; those who may be new to the world of social media and maybe looking to do what I did and break through the wall of fear and get out there in the real world.
I had a feeling I'd have a rich and rewarding experience but my it far surpassed my already lofty expectations. I was so sure I was going to have a great time at Blog World, that I purchased my South By Southwest Interactive badge before leaving for BlogWorld, non-refundable I might add. If I hated BlogWorld, I was going to be out some serious cash. I'm glad I leaped and took that risk. By purchasing early, I saved money. In the end, I can't wait for March to get here so I can travel to Austin and meet some "old" friends and make more new friends. It will be my first trip to SxSW as well as Austin. The wall is no longer there and I'm ready to fly. See you in Austin!