“I don’t think my business cards are going to make it,” I told Michael flatly. “It looks like they’ll be here tomorrow, after I’ve already left.”
It was the morning before I was scheduled to leave for my very first travel blogging conference, and I was feeling pretty downtrodden… and maybe a little dramatic.
“What am I even doing with my life?” I groaned.
The business cards—or lack thereof—weren’t really the root of my despair. What was bubbling up was a mix of anxiety and impostor syndrome, and I knew I had to quash it before it festered.
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As a shy introvert (who—fun fact—also struggles with facial recognition), the thought of wading into a room full of strangers was both daunting and exhausting. But you know what’s also daunting and exhausting? Navigating an opaque industry on your own. So I took a deep breath and kept packing my bags.
I don’t often blog about blogging here because I’m never sure how relevant or interesting you’ll find it (though personally, I’m fascinated by other people’s jobs and daily routines—so maybe you feel the same?). But after posting throughout the conference on Instagram and fielding lots of questions in my DMs, I figured it was time to share more about my experience here.
ABOUT THE SOUTHERN TRAVELERS EXPLORE CONFERENCE
Every conference is different, of course, but I felt immensely grateful to my past self for easing into the travel blogging conference world by booking a smaller, more intimate regional conference as my first: Southern Travelers Explore.
Over the course of one weekend each year, this conference brings together bloggers, freelance writers, content creators, and DMOs (Destination Marketing Organizations—essentially, local tourism boards and their marketing agencies) to a Southern U.S. destination for educational sessions, networking opportunities, and travel experiences.
I felt lucky to have made it off the waitlist for a conference just two and a half hours from home, in charming Oconee County, South Carolina. And while it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made for my blog, there are definitely a few things I wish I’d known going in:
WHAT I WISH I’D KNOWN BEFORE ATTENDING MY FIRST CONFERENCE AS A BLOGGER
People are so incredibly welcoming
It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a professional environment quite like this, and I was so nervous I’d be the only newbie. But everyone—from fellow newcomers to repeat attendees—was so kind and welcoming. No one was ever left standing off to the side for long.
Sure, people with similar interests naturally gravitated toward each other, but you would never in a million years call it a cliquish group. Even at the more socially driven events, it was surprisingly easy to move between groups and find enjoyable conversation (a feat that certainly isn’t always possible elsewhere).
What to pack
At the start of this post, I mentioned that my business cards didn’t arrive in time—but I neglected to mention that I did have a small stash of an older design. I’m incredibly relieved I corralled enough to bring with me to the marketplace on the final day, when we had time to meet one-on-one with tourism boards to share more about our work and discuss potential opportunities. Being able to hand over a memorable business card (in my case, these “travel sized” ones from MOO) is a great way to leave a lasting impression.
Other things that came in handy included a phone charger, a packable tote, a notebook and pen, comfortable but stylish clothes and shoes, a crossbody bag, and my camera.
What not to pack
One surprising thing I intentionally purchased and packed for this trip—but never used—was an NFC business card. In theory, it seemed like an efficient and sustainable alternative to paper business cards for people who had just flown in for the conference and had limited space in their bags. I mean, everyone has their phone glued to them at all times, right?
Well, in the end, no one asked for the paperless option—traditional business cards were the way to go. I don’t regret bringing the NFC card with me, but it might just be a little too soon to rely on that kind of tech.
One other thing you shouldn’t bring to a travel blogging conference? The word “no.” Take advantage of every opportunity, optional activity, and invitation that comes your way during the conference. That’s why you’re there—and you never know where a “yes” could take you one day.
While we’re at it, you should also leave your ego and any preconceived notions about your fellow bloggers at home. We’re all here to learn and grow, and there’s certainly far more to any of us than our online presence suggests.
How isolated I’ve felt all these years
I’m so fortunate to have a partner who’s a considerate listener and a great sounding board—but at the end of the day, his expertise lies more in photography, computer programming, and video game development. Being able to connect with people who truly understand the unique challenges of blogging? Game-changing.
I returned home with not only a group of smart, creative, hardworking, and experienced bloggers within a DM’s reach, but sincerely feeling like I’d found a real community.
Many of my struggles are shared by other bloggers
I know, I know—no one wants to hear a blogger grumble about blogging. But we all occasionally vent about work, right? (And if not, are you hiring?)
Attending this conference showed me that many of my pain points are universal: people ghosting after multiple emails and calls, partners using photos in advertising without permission, and the worst offender of all—Instagram. For so long, I thought the problem was me, so realizing that these struggles have more to do with industry norms than personal failings was a huge relief.
And along those lines, while we all share similar struggles, we also have similar skills. I tend to rely on Michael for taking photos for the blog and social media because it’s so much easier than trying to capture everything solo (especially when I need to be in the shot!). Being surrounded by people who just get how important it is to capture a visually compelling moment—and who understand that the phone eats first—was so refreshing.
The chance to explore a new destination is a huge bonus
The format of the conference I attended differed from convention in that each educational session was held in a different part of Oconee County. While I can’t even begin to imagine what it must have been like to handle the logistics of coordinating the bookings and transportation between venues, I found it really enriched my conference experience.
Though my primary goal was to network and learn from more experienced bloggers, the weekend felt not all that different from my usual getaways. So much so, in fact, that I’m currently working on a guide to this charming corner of South Carolina. I can’t wait to share it with you!
Conferences take way more energy than I imagined
I’m so, so grateful I packed my travel coffee maker for extra-strong brews in the hotel room—because otherwise, I might not have made it through the weekend (and even then, it made me wish I had something even more portable for a midday pick-me-up). Conference days are long, and you hit the ground running from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave.
With mornings starting around 7:45 a.m. and wrapping up around 10 p.m., there were definitely times when I had to push through to stay present and alert. I don’t know about you, but it’s been a long time since I’ve had to be “on” for that many hours in a row. If you’re an introvert like I am, you might want to rest up beforehand and plan for a recovery day after you get home.
Building relationships with other bloggers is just as valuable as networking with brands
One of the main draws of attending a travel blogging conference is the marketplace, where you have the chance to meet one-on-one with DMOs and form connections that could eventually lead to a partnership. But as I’ve mentioned throughout this post, my favorite part of the conference was connecting with people who truly understand what it’s like to be a modern-day blogger.
Someone at the conference compared it to hanging out with your favorite coworkers, and I wholeheartedly agree. Just like an office happy hour or holiday party, it’s refreshing to take off your work hat and just chat as friends rather than colleagues. And another valuable piece of wisdom from the conference: you never know who the person sitting next to you knows. Forming genuine, honest connections with fellow bloggers is rewarding enough—but I also love knowing that I now have a roster of talented peers I can recommend to others when given the opportunity.
How much fun it would be
For people who write about travel, it’s part of the job to know how to have a good time—and we certainly delivered. From doing our very best to learn how to clog (while actually being the worst at it) to making the most of our bus rides with rapid-fire quips and jokes, I came home with an ache in my cheeks from smiling so much.
How much I’d want to attend other conferences afterward
I’m not ashamed to admit it: I’m a conference convert (and that’s saying a lot coming from someone who generally prefers to do things her own way!).
Though my time and budget will probably only allow for one or two conferences a year (and this may be my only conference for 2025), I’ve already signed up for emails from several different conference organizers. I’ve heard great things about many of them, but I’m especially eyeing WITS and TBEX for the future. And of course, I can’t wait to see where STE will be held in 2026!
FINAL THOUGHTS ON ATTENDING YOUR FIRST TRAVEL BLOGGING CONFERENCE
While not all conferences are created equally—this one, for example, had a limited capacity and felt much more intimate than some of the national or global conferences—I can confidently say that, based on this sample size, travel bloggers are a warm and welcoming bunch. Throughout the entire Southern Travelers Explore Conference, the message was clear: there’s enough room for everyone at the table.
This collaboration over competition mindset has always been how I’ve approached blogging—I just didn’t have much in the way of community before. After attending this conference, I returned home with a renewed passion for sharing the world with my readers, new tools to help me do so, and best of all, a supportive community of like-minded travelers who are all on the same journey.
If you’ve been thinking about attending a blogging conference but have felt too nervous to take the leap, I can’t recommend it enough—especially if you can start with a smaller, regional conference like I did. You might be surprised at just how much you gain from saying “yes.”
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Questions for you
What else have you always wanted to know about the world of travel blogging?
Have you ever considered attending a conference that wasn’t required?
For my travel blogging friends, do you have a favorite conference?
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