Yesterday, I attended my very first Disney Social Media Moms Conference. What an awesome way to be baptized in the “real” social media community! Pixie Dust, Pin Trading, Practically Perfect in Every Way!
The atmosphere was really like a celebration – fun balloon bouquets, table centerpieces that were adorable and social media geek-tastic, and the most amazing goody bags ever assembled.
The morning was set to begin early, with registration starting around 7:45ish. Because I live about 45 minutes away, and traffic at that time of day is a total crap shoot, I stayed the night before at the Crowne Plaza hotel in King of Prussia, where the conference was being held. So glad I did! We had terrible storms overnight the night before, and some of the local roads by my house were still pretty bad from the weather. I rolled out of bed about 6 AM, and headed to the lobby at 7 AM to see that people were already beginning to arrive!
Not long after, the crowd had gathered to check in. There were Disneybounders, moms in mouse ears, moms in Maleficent ears (ears? horns? what the heck are they?), and moms sporting Disney Veras and Dooneys – everyone was showing their Disney Side somewhere. For as close as the quarters got, everyone was so chatty and friendly!
There was time once inside to admire the decorations, meet some new people, and try to snag a FastPass+ to meet Gary Buchanan – Disney’s Social Media savant (there were none available, but I waited in the line, which I’m pretty sure was double the wait to see Anna and Elsa at the Magic Kingdom). I got to meet people I had only met online, and quite a few Disney Parks Moms Panel fans came over to say hello.
The conference speakers gave awesome tips on making the most of your mobile phone by using it for video, making sure you tell a story, and even being the best you that you can be. The most powerful message, however, came from Maria Bailey of BSM Media and Mom Talk Radio. She encouraged us to look our children in the whites of their eyes when we speak to them, and I have to admit, as a mom who works, goes to school, and manages a house, I’m usually talking to my kids while doing something (okay, a few somethings) else. We need to take that time, connect with them, let them know we are there, present, and attending to them. These, after all, are the greatest thing we will ever create – no matter how creative we are. Love this message.
For a first experience, this was a great start. It wasn’t so overwhelming that I felt out of my element, but there was some great content and there were some awesome people. So glad I received this invitation, and I hope I get to do it all over again next time!
