#BlogPaws 10th Anniversary conference with @Chewy #ad

I was lucky enough to be able to attend the BlogPaws conference this year. It was held in Kansas City, which isn't too hard to get to from New England, so I purchased a ticket at the early bird rate last year and spent the entire year anticipating the conference. Then, in the final months, I received a sponsorship to attend the conference

I am a BlogPaws Conference Sponsored Blogger on behalf of Chewy.com®. I am being compensated to help share information about the BlogPaws 10th Anniversary Conference and Chewy.com with my readers and fellow Influencers, Neither Chewy.com or BlogPaws are responsible for the content of this article.

I was excited when I was chosen by Chewy to blog and share social media posts about the conference. Making a point to search out fun and interesting things to share with my followers definitely enhanced my conference experience. The fact that most of the sponsors in the exhibit hall were "bipetual" this year made it easy for me to find wonderfully interesting products to talk about on the blog in the upcoming months.

I am super excited about Lenny Pads reusable potty pads

Pet Fusion has some really interesting products coming out

These Dharma Dog Karma Cat® cat beds are super cute

You can see in the background of that last photo the "living room" they set up in the exhibit hall. They had several areas for bloggers to congregate and mingle with their friends and other bloggers. They were called experiential areas and they had a "patio", an "office", and even a "kitchen" where they were dishing up dog food for the dog bloggers.

Learning sessions are the heart of the conference, and I attended a few of them. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get as much out of the sessions as I would have liked, but I know others who enjoyed the ones they attended. Sessions ranged from Facebook Ad Essentials to How to Start a Podcast. If you would like to see some of the past sessions, the BlogPaws YouTube channel has a few of them from 2013. You can even watch a segment from PetWorldInsider about the 2017 BlogPaws conference in Myrtle Beach

But do you want to know what I think is the best thing about going to BlogPaws? It is meeting up with like-minded individuals who spend their days thinking about their pets, photographing their animals, who go out of their way to learn more about their pets so they can share what they have learned with the world. I'm sure most people have other cat owners that are local to them, but very few people have another cat (or dog, or ferret) blogger in their own backyard. I was able to connect with old friends like Julie and Cupcake (above) from Cats Going Places and I was able to meet new cat bloggers like Tuxedo Trio. Hanging out with people who are passionate about the same things you are is priceless. Not only do you *not* feel like the crazy one, you just have to listen to learn from these amazing women and men and it only helps hone your craft.

Chewy has acquired the BlogPaws community and will be in charge of the 2019 conference. This is not really a surprise since both BlogPaws and Chewy had been brought under the PetSmart brand. While no announcement has been made as of yet for specific dates and location, they have said the conference will be in Florida. If you are considering going to a blogging conference and you want to learn more about blogging about pets, want to connect with brands and other bloggers and be part of the pet influencers network I recommend you attend the 11th annual BlogPaws conference.

In all honesty, going for the swag alone is reason enough to go..

Travelin Jack shows off the swag that was just in the cat swag bag

Because this was just the beginning. You should see all of the stuff I got when talking to the brands about their products. You really do need to bring an extra suitcase to get it all home.

A big *Thank You!* to Chewy for sponsoring me to go to BlogPaws and I look forward to what you have in store for the pet blogging community in 2018 and beyond. You should totally check out their social media platforms and follow along because they share some really cute cats and dogs there. (that and the more you check them out, the better I look)

*Chewy on Twitter *Chewy on Facebook *Chewy on Instagram *Chewy on YouTube

*BlogPaws on Instagram *BlogPaws on Facebook *BlogPaws on Twitter

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Chewy. The opinions and text are all mine. Comments submitted may be displayed on other websites owned by the sponsoring brand.

Travelin Jack is heading to #BlogPaws with @Chewy

I'm flying out tomorrow to Kansas to meet up with other cat people and to attend BlogPaws. For their tenth anniversary they have partnered up with Chewy™ and in doing so they offered a sponsorship opportunity to a number of bloggers to go and blog and talk about the conference on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. (Amy, you will be proud, Grammarly reminded me to use the Oxford comma)

Technically, this is not a sponsored post because it isn't required, but I wanted to share what I am up to and what is going to be coming up. I've been trying to spend a lot of time snuggling the kitties because I'll be away for a while, but I am pretty sure they have no idea what is going on.. although I think they are starting to figure it out

 

Tails from the Foster Kittens went to BlogPaws

I know I know, I am SOOO late in getting these up.. I'm sorry. I know you were anxiously awaiting the photos I took while I was away.. *sigh* I'm sorry (look at me stroke my own ego.. like you really were waiting.. ha ha ha)

Anyway.. For those of you who didn't know at the end of May I traveled down to Nashville TN to attend the 2015 BlogPaws conference. I also went in 2013 when it was in Baltimore - which was so nice because I could drive.. I really hate to fly because I really hate being treated like chattel. I ended up flying SouthWest a few years ago and it is now my preferred method of travel because you get to pick the seat. Being someone who is of the "plus-sized"* variety of people out there, I know full well that there is a segment of the population of the world who look upon us with disgust and near hatred, so I feel very uncomfortable 'forcing' myself upon them when I sit next to them - mostly because I simply do not know. I know I shouldn't care, that it is their problem, but I do... and I feel much more comfortable when I can sit down first and let someone choose to sit next to me... so SouthWest it is.  (ramble much Connie?? anyway as for the *, I hate that term, but it is the one we all know what I mean when I say it. It isn't like there are minus sized people.. Look, we are all just people, if you hate us for being a size, get over it. I am not going to apologize for taking up space in your world)

So.. tickets booked (eventually - goodness it was hard getting a good flight) and bags packed, Travelin Jack and I headed down to spend time with like minded individuals. It was like coming home - only with a lot of travel.. (seriously, I know traveling to Maine is a pain, but it's so worth it, ya'll should come here.).

I also chose not to bring my DSLR, because it is big and bulky and at the other conferences I was worried about it too much of the time, so I relied completely on my phone camera for the photos. and seriously, I want to flog myself for all of the 'portrait' type photos I took when I strongly prefer 'landscape'. I just kept forgetting to turn the phone on it's side. Most of these were seriously cropped to get the look I wanted.

Travelin Jack always likes to stop at the gift shops.. he's weird like that

Travelin Jack wonders if we say "SouthWest" enough times if they'll comp us some tickets
SOUTHWEST SOUTHWEST SOUTHWEST

In Baltimore, wondering where Tony and Gibbs are.

First picture I take at BlogPaws? Waffles of course!

Travelin Jack channels his inner Odilia

The next morning, checking in, getting my name badge and swag bag

My kitten fever was getting a little out of control,
thanks to Jeanne for providing some relief

Travelin Jack said if it is good enough for Odilia... 

Part of the exhibit hall
This is where you get to know the brands that want bloggers to blog about their products

One of the highlights of the conference, baby ducklings at the Jones Natural Chews booth.
No, they will not be made into treats. (Btw, Flea rocks!)
You can see just some of the recycling bins around the hotel trying to make it zero-waste

which of course means "DUCK SELFIE!!"

A horrible photo of the entrance to the Cat Lounge. I like the lounge a lot, but one down side
is there aren't that many things that are given away. Most of the booths in the exhibit halls had freebies,
but it was nice to see and touch the products that Kate talks about over athauspanther.com

Carma Poodle was there.. 

Just hanging out with Katie (well trying to convince her I wasn't there to steal her)
oh yeah, and Debbie and Lisa too (priorities, right?)

Summer and Janiss' legs. (again, just look at my priorities)

The amazing Sophie

a trip to Target is tradition when you are traveling with Amy

Silliness on social media for a good cause. They sang and food was donated to their shelter

Travelin Jack heard there were hats at the Honest Kitchen booth, he had to show Jack up.
I was offered one, but I didn't think I could get it home in one piece.
I should have tried, that would have been adorable on kittens

I took Waffles to "Ashton's Chicken Emporium"
Seriously Julie, those glasses are freakin awesome!

and I hung out with Jeanne's kittens again.. 

and helped Debbie and Lisa get ready for their party

We went into the city for dinner

Amy, Lisa, Jenny, Debbie and Stephanie

We saw Elvis! (and a lot of drunk people)

Kitten Pawpurrazzi Rachel, Sophie and Emily
You can see one of the photos Sophie took here

Herman (although he was distracted at looking something WAY more important)

BlogPaws cheesecake

yes, another kitten break... seriously, why do you think I constantly foster kittens??
Kitten Fever is real and it burns!!

The closing banquet - after we ate they gave out the nose to nose awards

Don't tell Debbie, but Waffles wanted to come home with me
 I failed to plan and didn't have an orange mancat sized space for him in my stuff

We went to the Waffle House, and Stephanie was so over Travelin Jack trying to take the perfect selfie

Checking out. The gentleman was super helpful

SOUTHWEST SOUTHWEST SOUTHWEST!!

oh yeah, and some point in those few days there were some seminars that I went to, where I learned about interesting things in some, and didn't in others. Because I roomed with friends I focused more on spending time with them instead of the conference and so I know I missed out on a few things and possibly a few opportunities, but I am okay with that. I had fun.

Travelin Jack and I had most of Sunday to hang out since my flight out wasn't until 8 and I had to be out of the hotel at noon.  His little adventure trying to waste some time will have to be a different post..

Why can't Jack go to BlogPaws?

I've got the hat, I've got the attitude, I so could have ruled Nashville!  Well at least I hope the momma brings home lots of goodies for me!

BlogPaws nose to nose nominations

It will probably come as no surprise to anyone who has read this blog for any length of time that I pretty much stink at self promotion.  I am happy to sit around working in the background promoting the kitties, or feline causes, or share health and wellness information that I have acquired, but when it comes to seeking fame and fortune, that is just not who I am.  For years BlogPaws has been giving out awards for outstanding blogs, and I have been happy to watch others win.  

Over the past few years I have thought of ways I could grow my blog and possibly do more with it than just share with you cute photos of kittens.. I have made some improvements, I have more to do, but I'm starting to think that getting an award for my blog is important.. it seems so much more impressive to be able to say you are an award winning blogger.. no?

I asked for nominations last year and several of you nominated me.  I also nominated myself in a few categories.. if you don't enter you can't win.. and sadly I wasn't chosen to be up for consideration.

Nominations this year are open until the 31st.  If you would like to take a moment and nominate me, I would appreciate it.  I fear nothing will come of it again this year, but I cling to the fact that if I don't try then I never will.

Regardless of winning or not, or being chosen for a nomination, I can not tell you how much I appreciate all of you. I was blogging for years without an audience.. if I got a comment a week I would be thrilled.. and for your interest and your taking the time to read and comment, well I already feel like a winner.. 

So the nominations.. 

You will need to know my name.  I still choose to go by Connie Kittyblog. Many of you know my legal given name, but this being the internet I choose not to use it. I know that is probably pointless because if someone really wants to track it down they probably can, but I don't want to make it easy :)

My email is connie at kittyblog.net

my facebook is https://www.facebook.com/TFKblog

my twitter is http://twitter.com/TFKblog

BlogPaws in pictures

Well I am sad to admit that I do not have nearly as many photos as I would have liked.  I love my DSLR, but it is a little bulky to walk around with and as I wrote in yesterday's post there wasn't a whole heck of a lot of free time.

The pool at the Sheraton where BlogPaws was.
See that staircase?  It does NOT lead to the pool

The welcome sign

Amy loves on Odilia

Chick #1

Chick #2

How the Chicks got around BlogPaws

A Flemish Giant rabbit tours BlogPaws
(he also made a break for it in the dining area one day) 

Odilia trying to kill the rug in the hotel room

Odilia stretching her legs as we were out and about.. Yes, that is a ferret harness.. 

If you know anything about blind pets walking in open spaces, then you know I got pretty dizzy here..
If you don't, know they walk in circles.. 

Ingrid with Odilia

Four dogs with their owners during one of the sessions

Janiss with Odilia

Tamar with Odilia

Deb with Odilia

Debbie with Odilia

Janiss and Odilia (are you catching a trend here?)

Stephanie with Odilia

the beautiful outdoor atrium we couldn't get to.. the doors were locked.

Breakfast (with a lunch menu showing)

Triscuit sleeping in the room

Tex Cat's Staff and Odilia

Odilia dressed up in a ferret flower neck thing.. 

I told the ferret people I used a ferret harness on Odila,
and they gave me a few pieces of clothing to try on her.

Odi decided that sleeping in my luggage was the best place eva!

I had to run to the store and I saw these on sale.. how could I resist?

"Spirit Flats" in honor of pets that have passed.  They lined the stage during the awards.

the group of women I sat with

Yes, I got to pat the lion dog.. yes it made me smile, and I really have no idea why.. 

Lisa, Amy and Jeanne

Stephanie (front) and Mary

 Closing ceremony 

Triscuit at the closing ceremony in her own finery.

If you know who this is, I don't need to introduce him.  If you don't, then you really don't care :) 

Snotface sleeping

Snotface and Stephanie

and the side stop on the way home.

Tex Cat's Staff got some awesome photos of the Cat Lounge..

Odilia made the rounds, and was all over Twitter,  Facebook and Instagram while we were there.  She's also made in onto a bunch of blogs since..

Random Felines
Your Daily Cute
Sparkle
Island Cats
BJ Bangs
A Tonks Tail
CatLadyLand
Glogirly.com
Average Jane's picture on Flickr
The Creative Cat  - She is auctioning off a sketch of Odilia all proceeds go to the shelter I volunteer for
Twinkle Toe Tails

I am sure there are more out there, but this is what I have at the moment.