BlawgThink Reviews, Part One.
BlawgThink attendees have been saying great things about the event. I know there is a bit of navel-gazing going on here, but I wanted to collect these somewhere I could link to easily, and share them with family and friends who wonder what I’ve been doing for the last 90 days.
“…a milestone event.”
“I think it’s a more accurate reflection of our psychology that we swarm around topics that interest our minds most at any given moment as opposed to the stale one-size-fits-all mega-loaf of typical events, ensuring that the minds present in a conference are as close to perfectly allocated as possible.”
“I look forward to a rich future of non-traditional conferences from LexThink!”
“ I will say this: there are some tremendous thinkers in the small corner of the blog-o-sphere where us lawyers hang out. If I could find a way to corral all of these folks into one innovative and forward thinking organization, the world would never be the same from a client service point of view. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more collaboration and innovation occurring sooner rather than later — the legal services industry is about to be shaken up. And it goes without saying, Matt Homann and Dennis Kennedy are two of the most genuine and innovative folks out there – if you ever get the chance to spend some time with either of them, do not hesitate to take advantage of the opportunity.”
“When you have a two day conference and you can only generate three minor criticisms, that's a damn good conference!”
“The BlawgThink conference struck me as a great example of a critical mass. What happens when you identify and bring together a lot of people who have the same vision and commitment to that vision? For a positive vision, you can create such a groundswell of emotion that those people and others become infected by your vision and drive, and they jump on the bandwagon as well. It was clear to me that most people leaving the BlawgThink conference were trying to consider how to take blogging even further in their organization.”
“I learned a lot about blogging at BlawgThink, but I think I learned a lot about driving change in an organization as well.”
“ BlawgThink 2005 was a great event.”
“Joining the chorus of other attendees at this past weekend’s BlawgThink (a gathering of current and prospective legal bloggers) in Chicago, I want to especially thank Matt Homann and Dennis Kennedy for their hard work in pulling off this event.
Blogging is a terrific legal marketing tool, albeit only one factor in the overall mix of activities that should be included in a law firm’s marketing arsenal. But I truly believe, especially after BlawgThink that blogging will experience tremendous growth over the next few years.”
“So after two days of interacting with some of the best minds in legal blogging and meeting those excited on the topic here are some quick reactions:
* Awesome energy
* Great sessions
* Mind Manager Rules!
* Fabulous networking (wish I could have met more)
* Father + son with the same name attending same conference = topic of conversation
* Relaxing, yet energizing environment (Catalyst Ranch)
* Passionate people…a great conference.”
“I loved BlawgThink, and the unconference format was really just perfect. It allowed for a lot of interaction and sharing of insight that just wouldn't have occurred in a typical conference setting.
Passion + Purpose. It's one of those things I think about a lot, but like anyone else, you get busy, and sometimes these things take a seat on the back burner. Some events are so full of buzz and energy that they really make you think about what's important to you, what your next step is, and how you can get from where you are today to where you're going.”
“I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to organizers Dennis Kennedy and Matt Homann as well as numerous other lawyers, marketing professionals and professional services business people who got together at BlawgThink on Friday and Saturday.
Dennis and Matt pulled off an excellent and rewarding event. To be honest, I had mixed feelings about the value of attending the event. I am busy as all get out with LexBlog's growth, working with new employees that entails, traveling to our new offices in Bozeman, Montana and being a responsible spouse and parent. It sounds really selfish but I've been limiting traveling to events that combine lawyer blog education and the marketing of LexBlog.
But at BlawgThink, I spent time with LexBlog clients, pioneers in lawyer blogging such as Ernest Svenson (Ernie the Attorney), and many others who taught me so much. Even when not listening to presentations, my discussions with folks and the questions they asked was a real education. Plus these were some of the finest folks you would care to meet.
Sure, I got the opportunity to do a presentation on marketing blogs, something I really enjoy, but BlawgThink was something more. For that, thanks to all.”
“If I actually use one-tenth of the stuff I came away with at BlawgThink, I'll consider it a smashing success. This gathering of legal bloggers was, by far, the most invigorating conference I've ever attended. The sessions were informative and the guest list impressive.
But the best part was the networking with other blawggers. Yeah - you say that about every conference you go to - but this was some supercharged networking. In fact, it was built right into the the structure of day two which was based on the Open Space model. Imagine identifying everyone in the room who wants to talk about the same thing you do - then having a designated time to meet.”
“Spending a weekend together with so many bloggers at BlawgThink chewing over so many issues with which we all struggle was a true blessing to me. I gained innumerable tips and ideas that will guide my future blogging activities. I solidified my thinking about my blogging goals and methods. Most of all, I broke out of the isolation and came face to face with this online community.
It was a bit like an immigrant who never speaks his native language, but only reads it, getting invited to a party at which everyone converses in the mother tongue.”
“The best part of the conference, and one that was particularly emphasized, was the personal contact with other bloggers.”
“I got a good deal of tips, tricks, and technical advice from the conference, but the most important, most lasting, and most valuable portion of the event was to make deeper and more meaningful relationships with other bloggers. That was priceless.”
“It was an amazing experience!”
“I just returned from the Blawgthink conference in Chicago. As the name suggests, this was a group interested in law blogging and law bloggers. You know, you’d think a room full of lawyers would be boring. You’d be wrong actually. This group was a blast.”
“… an amazing and overwhelming day.”
“BlawgThink 2005 was truly awesome! Matt Homann and Dennis Kennedy did an incredible job pulling everything together with an incredible group of attendees and speakers. I will be posting further details and perspectives later in the week...suffice it to say I learned a lot and came away with some really valuable insights and ideas.”