What a whirlwind. 3 days of non-stopness, networking, learning and connecting with a community of women who share the same passion as I do.

Thursday I arrived in Nashville for the Blissdom conference at Opryland. Checked in -- got a fantastic Land’s End welcome bag from the event and it’s sponsors (THANK YOU!) Can you say SWAG galore? One of my favorite goodies is this darling "I Heart Robots" shirt for E -- (thanks iRobot, my kid LOVES it!).

Friday was a full day -- one session after another full of amazing info. One of the highlights of the conference for me was Kevin Carroll. He is an amazing speaker that shared his amazing story and his passion for "play". Talk about KATALYST (or catalyst) -- watch his talk from TED Vancouver:

At lunch, I met 2 fab gals, Jana (Sugar and Spice and Everything Life) and Kathy (A Wife, Mother & First Lady) -- amazing how sitting with random people you can find weird connections. We met TLC host (previously with Food Network), George Duran. And I won his cookbook!

After an afternoon of information and networking overflow -- Blissdom hosted a private concert with attendees and the one-and-only HARRY CONNICK JR. He spoke about the NOLA Musicians Village Project -- an amazing community of musicians and Hurricane Katrina survivors.

Saturday was another whirlwind. Non-stop sessions and absorbing. The night ended with a movie and karaoke. I gave up around 9 pm, headed back to the room to Fring with the family. Fring? Say what? Watch for a review on that soon.

Sunday morning was an early one. I was up at 4:15 to catch the 5 am shuttle. Talk about exhaustion. But this mama is happy to be home with her family. Z welcomed me with a gift.

She wrapped in FOIL! MY FAVORITE!

She had made me chocolate covered marshmallows and made it into the shape of a pyramid. So yummy, i’m sure.

Thanks Blissdom and all of your sponsors for a wonderful weekend!

I have notes, business cards and a ton of new people I am following on Twitter and in the blogosphere. While I knew this would be a great event -- I had NO IDEA!

If you are looking for a women-centric social media/blogging focused conference -- BLISSDOM is your answer.

Shout out to my co-workers at Thomas Nelson who also attended: Lindsey, Ann Janette, Abby and Jackie -- it was fab catching up with each of you!

SXSWi was out of the picture this year (hello Baby, your father doesn’t want you to be born in Austin). So I’m headed to Blissdom next week instead! At first glance, I thought it would be a good fit for a lot of things going on personally and in business -- so thought, why not. So, I signed up -- and the closer the event gets the more stoked I become! And come to find out, several people I know from various aspects are going as well! And did I mention it’s at the Opryland Hotel? FUN!

Anywhoo — yesterday the doorbell rang, and unfortunately it wasn’t a Girl Scout selling cookies -- (because at this stage in pregnancy I would most likely buy 10 boxes of thin mints and then regret it when they arrived after the baby gets here). It was our next door neighbors with a box that had been delivered to their house. Sean gave me a "what did you buy now".

What greatness did I receive? A wonderful welcome box from Blissdom:

Enclosed was a folder welcoming me with the weekend’s itinerary, a popcorn bowl with popcorn, redbox gift card, a Poken, a card from Hallmark and a coupon book full of freebies! Super fun! and super thanks Blissdom and Conagra Foods and Hallmark for the hook-up.

The Hallmark card cracked me up -- since "You know what?" "CHICKEN BUTT" is a constant joke with my 4 and 6 year olds. My 4 year old loves the card so much, here he is doing his happy dance with it:

Working in the event management business, I have to say how impressed I am with the information I received in my welcome packet. I recently was a part of planning a seminar for 2,100 women. The details are horrendous and you have to get it RIGHT. Blissdom did just that. The verbiage was well written, warm and receptive. The event information was thought thru -- including great traveling tips from TravelingMom.com -- and there is even information on making sure your orders at home are taken care of (everything from kid and elder care, pets and more!).

So looking forward to this event. And did I mention HARRY CONNICK JR. is going to be there? Can you say *swoon*!?!?

Are you headed to Blissdom? Let me know!

Meet Poken!

Goodbye business cards -- hello Poken! Poken is your ‘social business card.’

I received this nifty device in my welcome box from Blissdom(thanks @alliworthington, @barbarajones & ConAgra Foods!) (And the Blissdom welcome box is a while other post waiting to happen -- too fun!)

While this little thing appears to be a thumb drive ( it works as a thumb drive as well -a 2 gigger!) -- it has this cute little white hand on it with 4 fingers. The idea is that you can exchange information, like you would on a business card, but via this device.

Here’s how it works.

• Pop the Poken into your USB drive
• Click on Start_Poken.html
• Create your social media card on the site you are redirected to
• Now when you meet someone with a Poken, tap your Poken hand with their Poken hand (high4!) and your data is sync’d

Rather than lugging around business cards and what have you -- you’ll have the digital profile of the people you meet! It also timestamps when you met them. The social media cards (profiles) that you exchange can include a wide variety of information on the person (whatever they load), including a photo. Here’s a snapshot of mine:

The Good:

This device is priced right. You can pick one up for around $19.95! Not too shabby -- definately greener, cheaper and easier to manage then business cards!

The Bad:

In order to exchange information -- the other person has to have a Poken.

BUT when a nifty event (like BLISSDOM -- shout out!) gives these out (courtesy of Conagra Foods -- another shout out!) -- everyone will be able to connect! I can think of multiple instances this device would come in handy, especially in the event business in which I work.

Long story short -- looking forward to trying this puppy out next week at the Blissdom event. Will recap after I "high4" with other digital girlys!

POKEN

connect with people, not profiles.

poken is your ‘social business card.’ it’s an easy way to share your contact details and online social networks in the real world.  just hold two poken palms together -- high4! -- and you’re connected.

Learn more about Poken at doyoupoken.com