When I’m scheduled to travel by myself on business masquerading as pleasure, my children invariably undergo a personality change in the days leading up to my departure. Whining and sulking and apparent blindness to clothing on the floor gives way to good cheer and helpfulness. It’s almost as if they don’t want me to go.
Sorry, kiddos. Mama’s got a non-refundable ticket.
But last night, when we made a quick trip to Nordstrom to pick up alterations, Oliver cemented my desire to get away for a few days – by throwing up all over the two of us just as we stepped out of the elevator.
I am so outta here.
I’m spending the next few days in Houston at the Mom 2.0 Summmit conference. Don’t let the name fool you; it’s an open conversation between moms, marketers, and anyone interested in social media. I attended the inaugural conference last year and was so impressed that I knew I had to return again this year.
So I was particularly honored when I was asked to moderate a panel – Beyond the FTC – with Liz Gumbinner, Enrico Schaefer, and Lisa Stone. It’s a topic of importance to me, especially being one of the co-founders of Blog With Integrity. But our panel will touch on many other points that have affected me in my blogging tenure (five years in July!) – intellectual property, attribution, copyright issues, audience trust, disclosure and transparency.
Since its inception, Blog With Integrity has generated a great deal of discussion, most of it overwhelmingly positive. When I’ve been questioned about the objectives of BWI, I’ve likened it to an honor code, such as those that are in place at military service academies. It’s about blogging honorably, adhering to personal standards out of respect for ourselves and our readers.
BWI held a webinar with Mary Engle, FTC Associate Director of Consumer Protection, which answered many of the questions posed by both bloggers and marketers. The webinar video can be found here.
With the expertise of our panelists tomorrow (and undoubtedly many questions from the audience), I expect that we will answer many more questions. But more than that, I want us to start some great conversations on how blogging honorably can lead us in new directions and foster new relationships.
But in the meantime, I need to let down my pin curls and put on my pearls. Because, as Laura said, tonight we’re going to party like it’s 1959.
Wish I could be there to attend your session! And, of course, to dress up with you.
Feel like I’m missing some pretty important stuff — not to mention, the chance to wear a pretty party dress — have a good time and I’m looking forward to reading the recaps!