Meet the Blogger – Amsterdam Conference 2015

This past weekend I had the enormous pleasure of attending the 5th “Meet the Blogger – Amsterdam Conference 2015″.
Last year was my first time there and I so enjoyed the inspiring keynote speeches, workshops and meeting blogging colleagues, that deciding to attend this year’s meeting was basically a no-brainer.

And to tell you the truth: it was even better, and more inspirational than in 2014 – terrific job done Meet the Blogger-team!
The highlight of thís weekend was most definitely the speakers that kicked off the program on Saturday: the amazing Elsie and Emma from the immensely popular blog “A Beautiful Mess”. Their blog attracts two million unique visitors every single month – unbelievable!
They gave an honest insight in their blogging journey, shared tips (organization is key!, be adventurous, take calculated risks), took their time to answer everyone’s questions, it was absolutely wonderful!
I also loved some of their quotes: “You already have what you Need”, “Look up to Heroes but don’t Compare Yourself” ……
Saturday’s last big get-together in plenary was with delightful Yvonne (gorgeous blog “Yvestown”), and she too shared her blogging adventures – ups ánd downs – with us; I loved her presentation (all done by heart!). She shared some pretty exciting Yvestown-news with us: there’ll be a new book and a line of stationary, plus she’ll be opening a shop (in her home, as well as online).

There were several break-out sessions/workshops during these two days that I enjoyed (an excellent one on “Pinterest” for instance, by Nienke Krook) – also: they were extremely useful.
Day two started with the “Meet the Blogger/VT Wonen” awards ceremony, and these are the talented winners:
Audience Award beginner: A Cup of Life
Audience Award advanced: Zilverblauw
Meet the blogger award beginner: Remade with Love
Meet the blogger award advanced: Binti Home Blog
Innovation award: Urban Jungle Bloggers

Right after they received their award Judith and Igor, who started their exceptional blog in 2013 and are the driving forces behind it, presented themselves and their global plant loving community of 600 international bloggers in Sunday’s first keynote (and I loved their story).

After that another interesting workshop, a delicious lunch and the very last presentation by Lars Lyse Hansen, the CEO of the successful Danish design company Bolia, who has the ambition to become the world`s most creative home furnishing company.
News scoop: They’ll be opening up a Bolia-store in Amsterdam (Utrechtsestraat) in December.

Then it was time to go home ……. feeling tired but energized at the same time, and inspired above all. Lots of information to digest and to start working with.
Also, feeling privileged to have met so many lovely bloggers – quite the international community – colleagues travelling from Israel, Norway, Germany, the UK, expats that live in The Netherlands – that too was one of the best parts of “MTBAMS-2015”.
Add to that a fantastic location – Hotel Casa 400 – and catering, well really, what more can you ask for?
Teaming up with sweet Nerissa (blog “Miss Neriss”) was the cherry on my MTB-cake ….. thát and the crazy goodie bags we all received at the end of day 2 ……
Next year’s dates have already been announced and jotted down in my calendar: October 1+2, MTBAMS-2016!

Love,
Marianne xx