Dash Kitten

Cat Photo Confidence For Everyone, Including You

  • Home
    • GET IN TOUCH
    • PRIVACY POLICY
  • About Me
    • Awards
    • Dash Kitten Commemoration
      • The Pinnectomy. Harvey’s Ear Surgery Report
  • Learn Cat Photo Skills
    • Photo Blog
    • #52Assignments Collected Posts Page
  • Learn Cat Movie Skills
  • D.K. Crew’s Quarters
    • New Zealand Spotlight
    • The DK Mailing List
    • Product Reviews & Gift Guides
    • Our Special Pet Blogger Interviews
HOME » On the Spot BlogPaws® Conference Report

On the Spot BlogPaws® Conference Report

02/05/2018 by Marjorie Dawson 28 Comments

My second BlogPaws report is ready.

Today, I hope to capture some of the flavours of the exhibition hall, and the friendships that Dash Dad (Paul) and I renewed and the new friends we met for the first time. But first, a weird picture that makes sense when you watch the video.

Kansas City Morning

The ‘Morning Building’ picture? You need to watch the video to see what that is all about!

It is hard to capture the whole exciting event in a single post, although I know plenty are trying, just like me. Previously I introduced you all to Kansas City here, and how much we enjoyed the warmest of American welcomes. The mid-West, much decried and dismissed, provided a tremendous backdrop for the premier blogger conference for pet people – BlogPaws.

Meeting the Product Influencers

Our exploration and BlogPaws report started earlier than we expected with a sneak peek at the brands as they were setting up.

BlogPaws report Frontline picture
These people are expert at setting up their stands in a short space of time. Things looked bare, then suddenly a booth was up, in place and packed with products. That takes skill.

So much of the work is done so quickly! Kudos to all of the sponsors and brands for making the booths reflect their aims and goals. I can remember people like Humerian, and Meowjiuana simply by closing my eyes. A valuable lesson for pet blogs – right? Are you that memorable? It certainly made me decide to sit down and think about how Dash Kitten looks in 2018.

BlogPaws Wellness Dash Kitten

We met some weird and wonderful characters as well as plenty of helpful representatives ready, even half set up, to say hello and welcome.

Everyone from top pet blogs to absolute newbies started to sneak in to see the preparations. It is almost as exciting as seeing the Exhibition Hall in all its final glory! The end result? An Exhibition Hall that dazzled and excited us all.

BlogPaws Report Humerian

Then it was time for the opening welcome event where we said really started to meet friends. We put names to faces and hoped we wouldn’t miss anyone we wanted to see. That is a major issue, even at a conference as specialised as BlogPaws, and I ended up trying hard to catch up with some of the people on my ‘must see list’.

The list included Susan Nation of Talent Hounds (to talk video), and Teri Thorstein to catch up about her lovely cats, and because she is a true BlogPaws person. Kim Kozlowski and the enchanting Dori from Wonderpurr, Cori and Connie of AvertingCATastrophe.

One of the great things about the gorgeous cat swag bag was the fabulous cat food from brands. We could not take our cat food home (darn it!) so we gladly donated it to Cori when we met Stormie and Smudge the gorgeous kittens.

CoCo and BlogPaws

The Brands You Want to Meet at BlogPaws

But, I’m getting ahead of myself! I hope you can watch the short BlogPaws video at the top of the post. It was a lot of fun to make as I am trying out my new ScreenFlow software. I will be using ScreenFlow for my Newbie Movie Making for the Terrified course in a couple of months. NOTE: If you can’t see the video at the top of the post I will be adding it at the end of this report.

  • Top of every cat blogger’s list was the Cat Lounge. The products Kate Benjamin showcases at HausPanther take your breath away. Her discerning eye discovers the most talented designers, the most creative cat artists and the most inspiring cat products. She has no equal and her presence was missed. We all wish Kate well and hope she is there in person at the next big BlogPaws event. Blogpaws report

One thing I learned from the many tips cascading from the BlogPaws blog before the conference was ‘Plan who you want to meet‘. Cat influencers, dog influencers and bloggers of all species needed to be prepared. The number of brands was almost overwhelming so keeeping your focus was vital.

I am glad I had my list ready. Seriously good quality food brands, influencer marketing platforms, cat toy developments, and the latest in pet health all clamoured for the pet blogger’s attention. There were also affiliate opportunities that would allow us to expand our influencer networks in new directions.

BlogPaws Exhibition Hall

I wanted to meet the Viagen people and get their input for a major post on cloning. It is cutting edge stuff but made much more friendly by the sweet @IPartywithBruceWayne puppies. Then I wanted to quiz the Humerian people on their pet probiotics. This is an unfamiliar area for many readers, so Humerian were ‘must meet for me’.

Our friends at the Helen Woodward Animal Centre were the first people I really REALLY wanted to meet! In fact, I found Marcie in the lift with people between us so I had to visit them as soon as I could after that.

#Pet #Influencers rock into the world's premiere #blogging conference.Click To Tweet

#RememberMeThursday is an important part of our blogging calendar now. It is also a huge part of our Twitter life in the run-up to the day itself – 27th of September 2018. Marcie and the HWAC loved my movie specially created for #RememberMeThursday 2017 so to meet Marcie, as their Twitter ‘voice’ was special.

I was also excited to be interviewed for the Humarian podcast by Dr. Benzinger, CEO of Humarian. It was a lot of fun and the experience gave me insight into how podcasting works ‘ for real’. I enjoyed the podcasting session from Fadra Nally as a result of my interview.  I am now saving up for my first good microphone! Watch out world DashKitten The Podcast will soon be here!

BlogPaws Report.Funny Cat Products

It was not all serious business! I adored meeting the wonderful Meowjiuana people. They got top marks for having the best blogger ready handout custom made for BlogPaws. Not only was it packed with information for cat bloggers, but they also had ready-made quotes and a list of Need-2-Knows. They made sure the cat influencers will be ready to review their pawsome ‘nip, toys and sprays.

  • [Confession I didn’t bring ‘nip back to NZ! I did bring a ‘Nip Rainbow and Catnip spray so of course the cats will review it!]

As a video creative, I was thrilled to be able to show the Weruva staff our Finalist video of Dusty. It features a cool shot of their t-shirt from Phoenix BlogPaws two years ago. How many of you remember that one? The staff even took a picture of it to show their boss! So. the lesson here for us cat bloggers? Keep experimenting with your videos, keep exploring. We were Pet Video Finalists because we kept going in spite of beginner frustrations until we made our break through.

Don’t believe the t-shirt story? Check out the video and see!

Meeting Friends and Fellow Pet Bloggers at BlogPaws

The most thrilling moment for me was meeting my blogging and Twitter friends. Especially Connie, and Cori Stanley from AvertingCATastrophe, Herman Tattlecat’s mom Kim Kozlowski, and Katherine Kern MommaKat to Bear and Ellie.

Kim and Kat both do humour so well. Kim is the gifted writer behind Wonderpurr home of the famous Sherlock Herms adventures, and we can now read ‘Tuesdays with Dori’. I just can’t do funny that well, I wish I could. Besides, how many cats can really deliver  ‘Purple Underpants’? Yes, really, check the Wonderpurr sidebar….

BlogPaws Report Cat Bloggers Group

Any blogger going to BlogPaws will tell you that a real highlight is meeting the people you already know, so meeting Sharlene, mom to @TweetingTruman was fun. We have been Twitter friends for a long time, so to meet Truman’s mom was fabulous. She is such an inspiration, getting a new blog organised for Truman, dazzling us with Truman’s growing following on Instagram and Truman won the Purple SleepyPod in the Cat Lounge.

Kat Kern MommaKatandherBearKat
Feline Blogger Extraordinaire – Katherine Kern

BlogPaws Blogger Planning

One of the bloggers I need to shout out is Jodi from Kol’s Notes. She is a planning maven and inspired so many aspiring blogging planners to get a handle on their content schedules for the coming year.  She actually brought me my very own Happy Planner and on 1st May 2018 my planning adventure began. I think Jodi might have fainted when I reported that planner shipping to NZ was around $54US. The planner may need a post of its own so keep your eyes open!

The Warmest Welcome

Finally, two pictures that encapsulate BlogPaws this year for me. BlogPaws Ambassador Jenise of Happy-Go-Doodle and her family, and inspiring guide to so many bloggers of every species, Carol Bryant of FidoseOfReality. Carol persisted when I said I couldn’t figure out Pinterest. Now I enjoy it and am learning its finer points. #WIN

BlogPaws Carol Bryant

Both made me feel at home, included and relevant when I had come halfway around the world to be at BlogPaws. Their warm welcome and their inspiring words meant I came home encouraged, with hope and determination to do even better this coming year.

I will also say that I love the mid-West. The people must be the friendliest in the USA. Nothing was too much trouble, help was always available, even from perfect strangers. Kansas City is one place I loved to pieces!

BlogPaws Report Jenise

Finishing up at BlogPaws

The Dash Kitten Crew and I learned a lot at this year’s conference. We made valuable connections, were inspired by our cat blogging friends and have enough blogging material to keep us busy for months (and months!)  The blog continues to grow and develop and we have so much to teach people about movies, and about developments in cat technology and health. We hope that the new regime under Chewy will carry on the good work of helping and enhance the quality of blogs across the globe. The excellent outgoing team have left rock solid foundations for them to build upon.

I think 2018 is going to be a busy year!

Marjorie and the
Dash Kitten Crew
Marjorie and Silver

Join Dash Kitten on Social Media
20
Visit Us
Follow Me
Vimeo
fb-share-icon
Share3
Pin
Tweet
Share
Share

Filed Under: Cat Blog

Meet Marjorie, Writer and Photographer

Portrait by a window with teddy bears Taken with a smartphone.Marjorie is a cat lover, photographer and smartphone moviemaker who loves sharing her knowledge with learners.

Marjorie is a Cat Writers’ Association Professional member, CWA Muse® Medallion and Certificate Winner, and winner of the CWA Kuykendall Image Award for her photography.

 

Comments

  1. Monika says

    05/05/2018 at 12:55 am

    It seems like you had a great time! I love the photos and seeing the faces behind all those great pet blogs. You are so awesome for flying all the way from NZ to the US!

    Reply
  2. Stephanie Seger says

    04/05/2018 at 3:23 am

    What a terrific recap of the conference! Your videos are fantastic as always! I thought it was great that you were able to capture the hustle and bustle of the conference before it started with everyone setting up their booths. You will definitely be busy with what looked like a ginormous swag bag of goodies to review for your blog! I can’t wait to follow it!

    Reply
  3. Sadie says

    04/05/2018 at 1:00 am

    I truly hope my pack and I are able to attend next year’s conference. Twice in a row now, I had my ticket, and something came up both times making it impossible. It looks very exciting and I look forward to meeting many of the people I have been conversing with, online.

    Reply
  4. Roby Sweet says

    03/05/2018 at 11:52 pm

    Looks like you had a great time at BlogPaws! Great post, and I love that video. Really makes me wish I could’ve been there. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Sweet Purrfections says

    03/05/2018 at 1:25 pm

    It was great to see you again! We didn’t get to chat as much this year, but there was so much to do and I still didn’t get to everything. I hope you can visit us again soon.

    Reply
  6. Beth says

    03/05/2018 at 11:51 am

    It looks you made the most of your time in Kansas City, especially at the conference. I planned on going again this year and was really hoping to meet you. But, unfortunately, I wasn’t able to go. I enjoyed watching the video and getting a sense of what happened.

    Reply
  7. Christine AnimalHealer says

    03/05/2018 at 11:39 am

    That was so fun to hear about and see in the videos! I couldn’t make the conference this year, but I sure got a taste of it vicariously through this great post. Well done!!

    Reply
  8. Jane says

    03/05/2018 at 10:33 am

    A fabulous job of detailing your experience at BlogPaws! I’m so happy to hear you have your own Happy Planner, they are wonderful! Very sweet of Jodi to get one for you, she is pawsome in my book!

    Definetly agree a list of who you want to meet and which brands you want to learn more about is a must! Sad that I didn’t get the chance to meet you, since my plans to attend fell through, you were on my list of bloggers to meet in person. Maybe another time…

    Reply
  9. Melissa & Mudpie says

    03/05/2018 at 10:24 am

    What a fabulous, in depth review of your BlogPaws adventure! I feel like I was right there with you while reading this!

    Reply
    • Dash Kitten says

      03/05/2018 at 10:46 am

      I am glad to hear it. Now when YOU go to BlogPaws you will be prepared to enjoy yourself 200%

      Reply
  10. Lone Star Cats says

    03/05/2018 at 9:10 am

    Looks like a good time!

    Reply
    • Dash Kitten says

      03/05/2018 at 9:35 am

      It was so inspiring for us all.

      Reply
  11. MrJackFreckles/Pipo/Angel-Minko says

    03/05/2018 at 8:50 am

    You met all your goals, I think. Kudos for getting those pawsome pictures and videos. I would have been too busy looking and chatting, MOL! (And hunting for peeps to talk with.)

    Reply
    • Dash Kitten says

      03/05/2018 at 9:35 am

      We hope so. We have blog posts and knowledge to share from the brands me met. We will take a little time because we want to do them proud.

      Reply
  12. Cathy Armato says

    03/05/2018 at 6:01 am

    Awesome video, great job Marjorie! It was wonderful seeing you at the conference, I’m really glad you made the trip. Oh, & I just love your accent!
    Love & biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

    Reply
  13. Ruth Epstein says

    03/05/2018 at 5:39 am

    Fantastic post, thank you so much for putting your views and insights into a blog for those that did not attend and chuckled over you smuggling the nip LOL.

    Reply
  14. Summer says

    03/05/2018 at 5:33 am

    You really made the most out of your Kansas City and BlogPaws trip! I loved the video recap (and not just because I was in it!).

    Reply
  15. Seville at Nerissa's Life says

    03/05/2018 at 5:21 am

    You got to meet Dori? REALLY? Ever lucky. Dori and I are pals but I’ve never met her in catson. *sighs* purrs

    Reply
  16. ERin the Cat (Princess) says

    03/05/2018 at 4:34 am

    Oooh what a lovely video presentation. Marjorie you are really shaping up on your skills/technique. Such great folk to meet and awesome brands, a lot sadly we don’t see here in UK but which are great to know about and discuss.
    Toodle pips and purrs
    ERin

    Reply
  17. Julia Williams says

    03/05/2018 at 4:29 am

    Such great photos and a wonderful write up. BlogPaws offers so many different things. Meeting all of the bloggers I’ve come to know and love would be my favorite part, paws down, but there’s so much more too.

    Reply
  18. Linda Hempler, Mom to Chico, Pebbles, and Remedy Jane says

    03/05/2018 at 3:35 am

    I am crying right now. Thank you for the video. Last year was my first BlogPaws. We (my dogs, my husband and I) drove 14 hours last year to get to Myrtle Beach. We had the best time and met the best people! Sadly, we didn’t make it to KC this year and it would only have been a 5-hour drive for us!!! I HATED that we couldn’t go this year. Thanks for the pics and the video. Great job. And thanks for the memories. 🙂

    Reply
  19. The Island Cats says

    03/05/2018 at 2:52 am

    The video was great! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  20. Amy Shojai, CABC says

    03/05/2018 at 2:32 am

    Thank you! I loved seeing what I missed, and hope to return to the next conference. Sounds like a wonderful time for everyone.

    Reply
  21. Lola The Rescued Cat says

    03/05/2018 at 2:27 am

    It was great seeing you at BlogPaws this year. 2018 was a great conference and the venue was great. It’s going to be a busy year.

    Reply
  22. Hindy Pearson says

    03/05/2018 at 2:05 am

    I’ve been looking forward to reading all about what I’ve missed! I imagine the energy throughout was electric, and how amazing to meet the pet bloggers we’ve come to know and love…in person! I can’t believe you fly all the way from New Zealand for this conference!! I’m in England so what’s my excuse!!

    Reply
  23. Brian Frum says

    03/05/2018 at 1:56 am

    Such a wonderful post, especially since we couldn’t have been there. Meeting you would have been our highlight.

    Reply
  24. Basil says

    03/05/2018 at 12:26 am

    WOW what a totally epic BP experience, we’re so sad the P.A. couldn’t make it this year, but purrhaps next year!

    Thanks fur giving us the inside scoop, mew guys are fabulous!

    Big hugs

    Basil & Co xox

    Reply
  25. Holly says

    02/05/2018 at 10:43 pm

    I can’t wait til I get a chance to come to Blogpaws! That vendor hall just about made me drool. I would rep Stella and Chewy or Weruva any day, my cats are regular consumers.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Join Our Mailing List!

Discover, Learn, Share, Teach.

Dash Kitten Contact Us Graphic for the Blog

Kuykendall Image Award Winner 2020

Cat Writers’ Association
Link to the About Me page introducing Marjorie, Author of the blog at Dash Kitten

CWA Muse® Medallion Winner

Graphic for an Award winner to display on their web site.

Associate Disclaimer

Dash Kitten is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking Amazon.com

RIP Friend Nerissa the Cat

A memorial tribute picture and link to our fellow adventurer

Please follow & like us :)

20
Visit Us
Follow Me
Vimeo
fb-share-icon

Humarian for Pets and People

Humarian Probiotics Promotional graphic for my favourite probiotics

Quote DASHKITTEN for 20% OFF your first order.

Triple Finalist – Nose to Nose Awards 2018

Nose to Nose Awards 2018

Blog Collaboration Award

Special Certificate 2015
Dash Kitten Newsletter Link and Logo including a cute picture of Miranda the cat
Dash Kitten Contact Us Graphic for the Blog

Dash Kitten Social Media

20
Visit Us
Follow Me
Vimeo
fb-share-icon
Dash Kitten Newsletter Logo

NEWS FROM DASH KITTEN

  • Telephoto Lens Zoo Fun at Wellington Zoo
  • Shooting Street Life Photos #52Assignments No. 8
  • Cat Photography Ideas Go Macro
  • New Cafe Kittens – Pooka the Tuxedo
  • The Great Outdoors #52Assignments No. 7
A link to my About Met page

Copyright Notice for Dash Kitten ©

All images and text used on this site, from its creation to date are copyrighted ©  to Marjorie Dawson, Whskr and Dash Kitten.com unless otherwise noted.  Content cannot be used without my specific written permission. Please let me know via the Get In Touch page if you are interested in using images or stories from DashKitten.com

Copyright © 2021 · Enterprise Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

40 SHARE