Sharing My City at #Bloghouse Chicago
For those that know me or are regular readers, you know how much I love my adopted city of Chicago. So much so that I consider myself an unofficial ambassador to the Windy City, singing its praises during my travels to all those I meet. Honestly. I told so many about this city…I think I should get a cut of those tourism dollars. 😉 So many of us who live here, love it and become ambassadors, it’s a good cycle. Not only was I traveling the world and learning so much, I was thrilled to share my love of this city and teach others around the world about what a great place it is to visit.
Chicago skyline from my private jet ride!
So when I took on the role of project manager of Bloghouse Chicago 2014, I was super excited, not only to just organize this great event, but also to welcome newcomers to my gorgeous town. I don’t usually write about blogging itself here, but this case is special because it mixes my new career with my love of this city.
Playing tour guide – photo credit Lindsay Buckley
What is Bloghouse?
A typical scene of bloggers…blogging!
Bloghouse is an intense and intimate three-night travel blogging workshop/retreat run by my team at Navigate Media Group (a team of influential travel bloggers who take on digital marketing campaigns with travel brands and tourist boards). Chicago was our fourth one (after Spain, Toronto, and Dublin) and a huge success (if I can say so myself, but I did hear it from others!). In a nutshell, travel bloggers, who are serious about their work and ready to take it to the next level, apply and are selected to come attend for an all-inclusive weekend which includes small workshops on everything from writing and photography to WordPress, social media, and how to really make money blogging. We all live in the same ‘house’ for the entire time and everyone gets personal one-on-one attention plus the fact that we all become friends. It’s a very nurturing weekend with no one ‘better’ than anyone else and always leaves everyone feeling very good. I like it!
BlogHouse Chicago 2014
We made it!
And just as good as the conference felt, so did sharing my wonderful and gorgeous city. We were able to enjoy a travel Industry cocktail party at the ‘view-tiful’ Vertigo Sky Lounge atop the Dana Hotel, took a fabulous electric boat ride on the Chicago River thanks to Chicago Electric Boat Company, and had an amazing meal at Mercadito thanks to one of our main sponsors, Gogo Inflight which is also based in Chicago.
Bloggers on a Boat!
Sunset on the Chicago River with the Chicago Electric Boat Company
And one of the best parts? We were able to stay all together in an amazing graystone mansion in the heart of Lincoln Park, one of Chicago’s great neighborhoods. It’s always great to have travelers stay local and get the feel of actually living in Chicago. FlipKey hosted us in our sweet digs at Villa D’ Citta, an Italian “Villa” with all the trimmings including a fully-stocked kitchen with overflowing Intelligentsia coffee, a panini press, scrumptious breakfasts (the best french toast I’ve ever had!), and get this, a wine tap in the wall. Yes, free-flowing wine on tap.
Villa D’ Citta Exterior
Amazing back ‘grotto’
Villa D Citta Front Parlor
Grand Tuscan Suite
Thanks to my fellow navigate members for an incredible weekend:
- Sherry of Ottsworld.com
- Stephanie of Twenty-SomethingTravel.com
- Mike of ArtofAdventuring.com
- Ayngelina of BaconisMagic.ca
- Cailin O’Neil of TravelYourself.ca
And good luck to all our amazing ‘graduates:’
- Francesca Mazurkiewicz – TheWorkingMomsTravels.com
- Anne Lowrey – PartTimeTraveler.com
- Ryan Zieman – RyanZieman.com
- Brad Bernard – MyWanderlist.com
- Susan Schwartz – BestBitsWorldwide.com
- Mindi & Daryl Hirsch – 2foodtrippers.com
- Jenny Marshall – AThingForWords.com
- Nick Huggins – NicksTravelBug.com
- Lindsay Buckley – FrugalFrolicker.com
- Beth Williams – BesudesuAbroad.com
- Amber Hoffman – WithHusbandInTow.com
- Chanel Brown – CulturalXplorer.com
- Kristin Francis – SouvenirFinder.com
Hands in!
Woot!
Can’t wait for the next one. If you are interested in signing up or know someone who may be, get on the list! Sign-up here to find out where the next one will be!
Thanks to our sponsors:
  
  
  
In-Kind Sponsors:
 
 
   
    
 
  
 
 
BlogHouse was a lot of fun and getting to know your city was a lot of fun as well. Thanks to you and the Navigate Media team and collaborating companies for making Chicago BlogHouse great!
Thank YOU Chanel for making it so great. We had such a wonderful group. Always feels really good. Let me know if you make it back here!
Sounds like a terrific experience for all. Glad you got to showcase our great city!
I was SO proud and excited to show off our GREAT city!! 🙂
You had me at “free flowing wine on tap”. Where do I sign? 😉
ha ha! Not sure we’ll be so lucky at the next one!
Well, that sure looks like it was a lot of fun — and productive. The villa looks amazing. I get so homesick looking at your great photos of Chicago — what a wonderful city!
It really is a very good, positive vibe at BH! And, i’ve never met a Chicagoan that doesn’t love it! You are no exception! 🙂
Appears to be like a fantastic encounter for all. Grateful you got to display our excellent city! The apartment looks awesome.