Event guide for FLBlogCon's FORUM 2014, a one-day mini-conference on blogging and social media. Also featuring the Sunshine Blog Awards. January 11 in Orlando. For more information or to register go to forum.flblogcon.com

1. FLBlogCon’s FORUM 2014
January 11 - East End Market
FORUM.flblogcon.com

2. #FORUM14
I want to personally welcome you to FLBlogCon’s first event of the year:
FORUM 2014! I’m just back from the trip of a lifetime to Asia that I was
fortunate enough to share with my mother. While there, I reflected on
what is most important in life: family, friends, health, and security.
Blogging has been my way to make each of these components more
meaningful in my life, so I want to challenge you to allow your website to
do the same for you. As we enter 2014, let’s help each other to reach
our blogging goals and make this event the start of our best year yet!!
~Bess Auer
Here’s to a New Blogging Year!
Be sure to use the hashtag
#FORUM14 when tweeting,
posting, or Instagramming
about Saturday’s event.
FORUM 2014

3. #FORUM14
The Venue: East End Market
We’re thrilled to be showcasing one of Central Florida’s newest,
hippest, and hottest places! East End Market is a neighborhood
market and cultural food hub inspired by Central Florida’s local
farmers and food artisans. Home to two dozen merchants, we’re
excited to explore this interesting venue with you.
3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando FL 32803 CLICK HERE FOR MAP
•
Arrive early for parking because it will be crowded.
Signs will direct to overflow lots.
!
•
The meeting room is on the second floor.
@EastEndMkt
!
•
Connect With !
East End Market:
After the FORUM, we will come down to “Local Roots”
for our Mix & Mingle.
Fun! Food Network’s hit show “Eat Street”
will be filming an episode here earlier in
the day - be prepared for crowds!
facebook.com/
EastEndMkt
FORUM 2014

4. #FORUM14
Event Agenda
3:30 - 4:00
Check In Upstairs
4:00 - 4:30
State of the Blog
Address Justice Mitchell
4:30 - 5:00
Self-Hosting Your Blog!
Ben Reed
5:00 - 5:30
Go Hollywood! Add Video to Your Blog!
Bess Auer
5:30 - 6:00
Monetize Your Blog!
Katy Widrick
6:00 - 7:00
Mix & Mingle Downstairs at Local Roots!
FORUM 2014

5. #FORUM14
“State of the Blog” Address
Discover the latest trends and industry forecasts for blogging and
social media. Justice Mitchell will not only analyze the current
blogosphere, but will lead us into 2014 with his guidance and
expertise.
The marketing world is overflowing with caffeine – fueled idea monsters ready
to pitch their concept about “taking you to the next level." But occasionally
you meet someone different. You feel an immediate connection. Maybe you
can’t put your finger on what is so special about the person – but you know
you MUST work together.
!
That’s how people feel when they meet Justice Mitchell. Advertisers sense
that he intuitively understands their vision. They can tell he “gets it.”
Connect With Justice:
@JusticeMitchell
facebook.com/
JusticeMitchell
!
As a hardworking, blue-collar kid practicing his craft in a white-collar world,
Justice carries a toolbox loaded with an array of traditional and cutting-edge
marketing techniques. His fertile, creative mind generates experiential,
guerilla concepts that pound a forged-steel wedge between you and the
competition. In addition, he plays a rad air guitar to classic Metallica and
Judas Priest.
instagram.com/
JusticeMitchell
FORUM 2014

6. #FORUM14
Self Hosting Your Blog
Self-hosting sends some bloggers into hysterics, but we promise it
is not that scary! Ben Reed will show how easy it is to become selfhosted with just a little elbow grease and know-how. And best yet,
he will give tips on the very best plug ins and widgets every blog
needs to get readers coming back again and again.
Connect With Ben:
As a travel blogger, Ben Reed accumulated nearly half a million miles
traveling to nearly 20 countries and documenting his adventures at
adventureswithben.com. Three-and-a-half years later, it was time to take
those blogging lessons and focus on his own home.
!
With a vision to connect and engage the Central Florida Florida Community,
Orlando Water Hole was launched. Locally in Orlando, he’s a member of the
Florida Blogger Conference (FLBlogCon) planning committee and has his
name etched twice on a plaque at the Colonial Lanes Bowling Alley. Seriously,
go check it out. It’s fo’ realz.
@orlndowaterhole
facebook.com/
OrlandoWaterHole
instagram.com/
orlandowaterhole
FORUM 2014

7. #FORUM14
Add Video to Your Blog
Go Hollywood! Learn how easy it is to add video to your blog posts
and to utilize this powerful format. Bess will share the tips and tricks
the pros use to give your movie “high interest” and the potential to
go viral.
Connect With Bess:
Bess Auer is dedicated to educating bloggers and to connecting them with
brands, especially through her company FLBlogCon. In addition to blogging,
Bess is a passionate swim mom, which led her to start
FloridaSwimNetwork.com, a website that livestreams competitive swim meets
from across the state and for the University of Florida. The website was also
recognized by the International Olympic Committee for the 2012 London
Games, so most weekends you can find her poolside hanging with Ryan
Lochte and other Olympians from the Sunshine State.
!
@Bess_Auer
facebook.com/
floridaswimnetwork
instagram.com/
floridaswimnetwork
Bess is also thrilled to be a part of the Growing Bolder gang and is helping
shape the GB Elite Blogging Team to showcase some of Growing Bolder’s
most inspirational bloggers.
FORUM 2014

8. #FORUM14
Monetize Your Blog
Katy Widrick will revisit her session from last year’s FLBlogCon,
sharing best practices to create a media kit and why you need one.
She will also reveal different ways to monetize your blog, ranging
from affiliate links, banner ads, sponsored posts, and more.
Connect With Katy:
Katy Widrick is passionate about healthy living — through food, fitness and
other “F” words. She’s a TV producer by day, a runner and triathlete by night
and she loves sharing social media tips on her blog KatyWidrick.com.
!
Katy is the Executive Producer for Bolder Media Group, a production
company based in Central Florida. She wears many hats in this role
(sometimes even a princess crown), but her main job is to produce the
Growing Bolder TV Show. It’s a 30-minute program that features men and
women who smash the stereotypes of what it means to grow older. Growing
BOLDER — get it?
@kwidrick
facebook.com/
growingbolder
instagram.com/
kwidrick
!
Also, be sure to check out Katy’s baby/family blog, BugChild.com.
FORUM 2014

9. #FORUM14
Mix & Mingle
After the informative sessions are through, let
the networking begin! We’re always asked for
more time to chat with fellow bloggers and
social media pros, so here it is! Connect and
create new friendships in a casual and fun
environment.
•
Filter down to “Local Roots” for an inviting atmosphere to
mix and mingle.
!
•
You will receive a ticket for a free craft beer from Cigar
City Brewery special thanks of Lucas of @NightHops.
Connect With !
Cigar City Brewery
Central Florida
@NightHops
!
•
Be sure to check out everything Local Roots has to offer,
too.
facebook.com/
CigarCityCFL
FORUM 2014

10. #FORUM14
Introducing the!
2013 Sunshine Blog Awards
After a month-long nomination process in
November, the top submission getters in 20
categories made it onto the voting ballots.
!
Voting lasted throughout the month of December.
!
Congratulations to those who were nominated and
good luck to all!
FORUM 2014

11. #FORUM14
Best Blog on !
Business/Marketing/Technology
2013 Sunshine Blog Awards
Click image below to visit nominated website:
DavidBrim.com
elliot.org
JusticeMitchell.com
FORUM 2014

12. #FORUM14
Best Blog on !
Food
2013 Sunshine Blog Awards
Click image below to visit nominated website:
AuthenticFlorida.com
droolius.com
thelittlekitchen.net
FORUM 2014

13. #FORUM14
Best Blog on !
Travel/Theme Park/Destination
2013 Sunshine Blog Awards
Click image below to visit nominated website:
CanDoItMom.com
TheDisneyBlog.com
WhatBoundariesTravel.com
FORUM 2014

14. #FORUM14
Best Blog on !
Nonprofit/Cause
2013 Sunshine Blog Awards
Click image below to visit nominated website:
CentralFloridaTop5.com
HoldinOutforaHero.org
thesqueakywheelchair.
blogspot.com
FORUM 2014

15. #FORUM14
Best Blog on !
DIY/Home Improvement/Craft
2013 Sunshine Blog Awards
Click image below to visit nominated website:
alittleclaireification.com
sewwoodsy.com
thethinkingcloste.com
FORUM 2014

16. #FORUM14
Best Blog on !
Sports/Fitness
2013 Sunshine Blog Awards
Click image below to visit nominated website:
mealandmiles.com
pbfingers.com
runtothefinish.com
FORUM 2014

17. #FORUM14
Best Blog on !
Education/Parenting
2013 Sunshine Blog Awards
Click image below to visit nominated website:
professorjosh.com
savingsaidsimply.com
theeducatorsspinonit.com
FORUM 2014

18. #FORUM14
Best Blog on !
Fine Arts/Literature
2013 Sunshine Blog Awards
Click image below to visit nominated website:
analogartistdigitalworld.com
loveatfirstbook.com
readbreatherelax.com
FORUM 2014

19. #FORUM14
Best Blog on !
Fashion/Shopping/Beauty
2013 Sunshine Blog Awards
Click image below to visit nominated website:
brothersandcraft.com
clumpsofmascara.com
jseverdayfashion.com
FORUM 2014

20. #FORUM14
Best Blog in !
“Other” Category
2013 Sunshine Blog Awards
Click image below to visit nominated website:
cakewrecks.com
suburbiainterrupted.
blogspot.com
terriertorrent.com
FORUM 2014

21. #FORUM14
Best Overall !
Design of a Blog
2013 Sunshine Blog Awards
Click image below to visit nominated website:
delifreshthreads.com
floridatechnologyjournal.com
professorjosh.com
FORUM 2014

22. #FORUM14
Best Use of !
Instagram
2013 Sunshine Blog Awards
Click image below to visit nominated website:
brinkmagazineonline.com
pbfingers.com
runtothefinish.com
FORUM 2014

23. #FORUM14
Best Use of !
Pinterest
2013 Sunshine Blog Awards
Click image below to visit nominated website:
cookthestory.com
jseverydayfashion.com
theeducatorsspinonit.com
FORUM 2014

24. #FORUM14
Best Use of !
YouTube
2013 Sunshine Blog Awards
Click image below to visit nominated website:
jasonsadler.com
sewwoodsy.com
wdwradio.com
FORUM 2014

25. #FORUM14
Best Use of !
Facebook
2013 Sunshine Blog Awards
Click image below to visit nominated website:
growingbolder.com
jseverydayfashion.com
thelittlekitchen.net
FORUM 2014

26. #FORUM14
Best Use of !
Twitter
2013 Sunshine Blog Awards
Click image below to visit nominated website:
familyfoodie.com
thedailycity.com
thetravelbite.com
FORUM 2014

27. #FORUM14
Best Use of !
Social Media
2013 Sunshine Blog Awards
Click image below to visit nominated website:
jasonsadler.com
thelittlekitchen.net
wdwradio.com
FORUM 2014

28. #FORUM14
Best Voice/Writing!
of a Blog
2013 Sunshine Blog Awards
Click image below to visit nominated website:
avitable.com
katywidrick.com
theantijared.com
FORUM 2014

29. #FORUM14
Best Blog Post !
of the Year
2013 Sunshine Blog Awards
Click image below to visit nominated website:
amandatinney.com
holdinoutforahero.org
theantijared.com
FORUM 2014

30. #FORUM14
Best Blog !
of the Year
2013 Sunshine Blog Awards
Click image below to visit nominated website:
jseverydayfashion.com
thelittlekitchen.net
wdwradio.com
FORUM 2014

31. #FORUM14
Special thanks to our sponsors:
And to our FLBlogCon Planning Team:
Adam Avitable, Ben Reed, Bess Auer, Brian Wilson,
Jeanette Scott, Josh Murdock, and Katy Widrick
FORUM 2014

32. #FORUM14
Join Us!
For Our January Tweet Chat
Wednesday, January 15 - 8 pm - 9 pm
Featuring Tom Jelneck
on SEO Marketing
He’ll answer your questions about Google searches, page
rankings, and how to optimize your site!
Click here to get a reminder about the chat.
FORUM 2014