In August I attended the 2014 ProBlogger Conference at the QT Hotel, Gold Coast. This event brings bloggers together for 2 days of fun, learning and inspiration, not to mention the meeting of new friends and drinking copious amounts of wine with said new friends!!
**NOTE: This blog post will contain some serious “Blogging” name dropping because….well….all the big names WERE there!
I was completely out of my comfort zone. I mean, I love people and I really love meeting new people but this took it to a whole new level. I didn’t know a single person. Well not in real life anyway. I was definitely cyber friends with quite a few and felt like I knew many of them like best friends, but didn’t ACTUALLY know anyone. It was a very strange feeling. I felt like a complete and utter stalker and was too scared to actually introduce myself to these so called “friends” half the time. God Chards….get a grip, there were plenty of other stalkers in the building, in fact we were all pretty much stalkers.
I am comfortable meeting new people, but 500 new people, nearly all in the one spot for a conference proved to be a little too much for this raving extrovert.
I slummed it on the train from Brisbane to the Gold Coast spending most of the trip looking for the first class carriage with the bar on board. I didn’t find it, so just found myself in the main carriage with a bunch of commoners and some weirdo’s speaking really loudly on their mobile phone for everyone to hear, even though I was in the “Quiet” carriage!!! It reminded me of why I left Sydney all those years ago. Thank god I had an episode of Sex and the City to watch on my iPad so I could drown out the weirdo’s!!! All this little bush girl kept thinking was “we’re not in Kansas anymore To To”.
Once I arrived at the QT GOLD COAST my up tight attitude changed. I felt quite at ease. This hotel is absolutely amazing. Upon walking through the breezy large glass doors you are greeted by a lovely lady who offers you a fresh lemonade in one of those cute little bottles with a stripy straw, fresh from the Lemonade and Soda stand. When you look to the right you see the cute little concierge men in their khaki pants, white shirts with red braces and white shoes, so cool. A bright open planned foyer, with huge glass windows, a coffee shop with whopping lolly bar out the front and lots of comfy lounges. Behind the reception desk stand gorgeous ladies wearing very trendy bright blue jumpsuits. Everyone is just so friendly and happy. O yes, I am going to like it here, I think to myself.
After check in I headed up to my room and the surprises continued. All the detail. From the thongs hanging in cool little string bags on bright wooden hooks, to the black post-it note with white handwriting on the bathroom mirror telling me that I can have some last minute waxing done all before happy hour if need be….. so kind of them to think of my “situation”. I thought I would pass on the waxing though and just go straight to happy hour, even though it was only 3:30pm.
See that bed – that is the comfiest bed I have EVER slept in, ohhhhhh so comfy!
I made myself at home, hung my clothes and hot footed it back down to the Sting Ray Bar for a cheeky glass of Chardy. By this time I had basically spent 2 whole days BY MYSELF. For all you introverts out there this would be heaven. But all my extroverted friends will understand when I tell you I was starting to go a little bit crazy, I needed someone to talk to. I sat down, BY MYSELF, and had a couple of Chardy’s BY MYSELF….. it was really starting to get me down. I thought I would have found friends by now – because, you know, I had been there for for a whole hour and all, ha ha ha. Everyone else seemed to know each other, I was starting to panic….what the hell was I doing…. I DON’T KNOW ANYONE!!!!
After 2 wines and no friends I went back up to my room to get ready for the evening event – more drinks at the Sting Ray Bar. Once dressed, primped and primed I once again started to panic. I thought I could do this no worries, piece of cake. But – reality check – did I mention…….I didn’t know anyone??? O well, I slapped myself and said “man up Chard’s” and off I went.
There were bloggers everywhere and they all seemed to be having such fun and seemed to all know each other…. what on earth??? Where were all of these people who said they didn’t know anyone…. where were they? So I waltzed up to the bar and just waited, and thank god it took the barman so long to serve me because it gave me a chance to find a friend. While I was standing there all I could think was “right, what the hell am I actually going to do once they give me this wine, do I just stand here like a complete dick and talk confidently to myself???” There was a lady standing to my right at the bar, I checked her out and thought “hmmmm she looks pretty cool”…. so bugger it, I asked her if she was here for the conference and then introduced myself…the rest is history…. her name was Sue and from that moment on we were buddies. I told her I didn’t know a single person and she said “that’s ok, you can sit with us”…. THANK GOD, thank you sue!!! THANK YOU. You saved me from lonely humiliation. Sue was there with her friend Merrill who was also a scream. For the next two days when ever I introduced anyone to Sue I would tell them “Sue picked me up at the bar on Thursday night when I didn’t have any friends”. Anyway, this little country girl had a great time and before long, over a few glasses of Chardy I had made new friends.
Here is a photo of the gorgeous Merril & Sue who are both from Newcastle NSW Thanks for taking me under your wings Merril & Sue, you big spunks!!!
Merril: Social Media Training School Sue: Cozzies Swimwear for all of your online swimwear needs
Photo Credit: @socialmediaschool on Instagram – thanks Mezza!
A few months ago I did a Blog with Pip online course and had been chatting online with a few other Pipsters who were also going to PBEvent. Before the event they had all arranged to have dinner together on the Saturday night once the conference was over. I was a little reluctant to say yes, I mean for all I knew they may have been complete weirdo’s – like that bloke on the train. So I didn’t want to commit to anything. I met these gorgeous girls on the Thursday night at the Sting Ray Bar and as it turned out they were all FABULOUS! We had so much fun over the next few days and nights and I now consider them my good friends. My little blogging buddies.
My new Blog with Pip friends: Carla from My Yellow Heart – Michelle from That Summer Feeling – Carolyn from Carolyn Ryder
The conference was amazing, such a great atmosphere. When each session was about to commence the “Happy” song (ok, I don’t actually know the correct name) would come on over the loud speaker and get us all in the mood. There were so many great sessions to choose from and I learnt so much from every single one that I attended.
And the food…. o my dear lord THE FOOD. It was to die for. Like nothing I have ever seen at a conference before. So so fancy and cute and trendy. Everything about the QT Hotel is cute and trendy.
This was just one of the lunch time dessert options, I don’t know what it is, by by crikey it was good. And that little tube is some sort of banana jus and yes, that is also pop corn, it was just amazing!
And what about this fruit tower, sweet mother of monkey milk…..speechless!
Emily from Have a Laugh on Me & Beth from Baby Mac
Miss Chardy with Kirsten from Kirsten & Co
Friday night was a cocktail party at the Helm Bar with an Ahoy theme. I chose not to go in costume, not really into fancy dress myself, but I must say, those that did dress up had lots of fun and looked fantastic. Don’t worry I still had fun in my pink top and spotty skirt!
Had a few “Fan Girl” moments with some of my favourite bloggers who in actual fact are lovely friendly human beings. We all had so much fun. And I finally got to meet Baby Mac!!!! Do you even know who she is? If you don’t, you need to get onto it toot sweet!
Look it is me with Mrs Woog!!!!
Rubbing shoulders with the Who’s Who: Sonia from Sonia Styling and Nikki from Styling You oh and look, another who’s who – Miss Chardy, have you met her? She is pretty cool!
And two of my all time favourites: Beth from Baby Mac and Kirsten from Kirsten & Co
And a new favourite: Amanda from Cooker and a Looker – she doesn’t always have a parrot on her shoulder, can I just say!
And look at this one – #soniastylinghappyhour with the one and only Sonia Styling
After another full on day of conference sessions, on Saturday, we were all ready for happy hour and so there was only one thing to do – off to Sting Ray bar again for the one and only – a Japanese Slipper! But I must say, it wasn’t nearly as good as the Japanese Slippers that Mr Chardy makes. O well, beggars can’t be choosers I suppose.
After a few drinks with gorgeous new friends I decided they weren’t weirdo’s after all and that yes, I would like to join them for dinner. we enjoyed our last night together over a gorgeous meal at the Bazaar Restaurant in the QT Hotel. It was the biggest, coolest buffet you have ever seen. We are not talking Sizzler here people, oh no. This buffet had spunk. O my goodness, I have never in my life seen so much food and so many options, I didn’t know where to start. But one thing is for sure, I ended with a huge dessert with as many different sweet treats that I could fit on the plate. Yum is all I can say.
Have you ever stayed at a QT Hotel? If you haven’t, put it on your list – just SO COOL!!!!
Were you at the ProBlogger Conference? Did we meet? I had so much fun and I am already looking forward to PBEvent 2015!!
Would you like to know more about this thing we call blogging and the PBEvent? Head over to ProBlogger to find out more or PBEvents.
LOVE your wrap up of the conference! And absolutely loved meeting you!! Looking forward to having a chardy with you at Problogger 2015 🙂
I am so glad I finally met you! I cannot wait for PB 2015!!! Bring it on, we will have a Japanese Slipper!!! Hopefully you won’t have the flu!!!
I’m so disapointed I didn’t meet you at #pbevent! You could call me Miss Savvy B, Miss Prosecco or Miss Apple & Mint Martini – take your pick! Love your wrap and hope to meet you next year if not before! x
I am so disappointed too, felt like such a stalker though, so didn’t introduce myself to you. Lets call you Miss Martini – I like that one, ha ha ha. Hopefully you had a few up at Palm Cove. Definitely meet you next year, looking forward to it already, and at least I will actually have friends next time!!
I was only saying to Nikki the other day that my PB highlight was meeting you!
You will give me a big head Bethy, you know I am your biggest fan (along with FF House Mouse). You are like a celebrity to me!!! ha ha ha, such a stalker aren’t i. I was so happy to finally meet you!!!! So – QUALIA for PBEvent 2015?????
Meeting you and hanging out on Friday night was definitely one of my highlights x
So much fun Nikki, I had the best time. It was so great to meet you. Do you think they might have the next PBEvent at QUALIA??????
Love this post! It seems like ages ago now, but sooo nice to re-live. And that striped bathroom wall! Oh how I loved that wall. What a stylish place QT is. And so very delightful to meet you lovely lady.
It was so fantastic to meet you too Kirralee! Wasn’t it just so much fun and that hotel….ohhhhh that hotel was amazing and what about the comfy bed! God I had fun. See you in 2015!!!
And of course everyone was discussing the whereabouts of Mumabulous who was conspicuously absent.
Ha ha ha, of course!!!! 2015 then?????
Great post Chards. God love you and your perfect hair and pearls. Meeting you was a definite unexpected bonus.
So so so great to meet you and find out that you were, in fact, not a weirdo, ha ha ha ha. Had so much fun with you guys! Xxx
Great round up! It was lovely meeting you xx
It was a very brief meeting but it was great to meet you in person, maybe for a bit longer at PB 2015!!!
Fabulous coverage of the PBEvet 2014 Miss Chards – love all your pics! It was lovely to meet you at breakfast on day 1. Even though it took a great deal of courage to come along on your own, look at all the amazing people you met. By the way, that dessert at lunch on Friday was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten…. soooo delicious! Cheers 🙂
Hi Lyndall, Oh I was a little nervous to say the least on that first morning, thank you to you lovely ladies for letting me have breakfast with you so I wasn’t a complete Nigel no friends. That dessert, good god it was delicious wasn’t it, wish I could go back and have another one!!! It was such a great event.
We were happy to enjoy your company over our delicious breakfast – we were a little nervous too and we couldn’t have you being a Nigel!! I live about 30 minutes away from the QT, so I might just have to go and see if they’ll let me have another one of those fabulous little flavour-bombs! I could Express Post one to you 😉 Looking forward to PB 2015 – but I have lots of work to do on my blog before then! Best get into it. Cheers! 🙂
Shhh – don’t tell the fashion bloggers this, but I think you’ve out-styled them in every photo! Just gorgeous. Wish I’d been there!! Next year!!
Ha ha ha ha, god love you Heike, too funny! It was just so much fun Heike, put it in your diary for 2015, just such fun!
Great round up, makes me want to head right back to the QT right now! It was lovely meeting you.
xx
Me too Mrs BC, such fond memories of the QT and meeting fabulous people!!!! Looking forward to 2015!
Oh man – I was just getting over my ‘not having gone to ProBlogger’ jealousy and there you go and stir it all up again! Fantastic wrap up! I loved following along with everybody’s instagram, twitter and facebook feeds. I am absolutely, absolutely going next year! Fingers crossed Problogger might make it to Far North Queensland one of these days!! Good on you for making so many new friends – I would have been petrified!
You just have to go next year, I booked my ticket before I even started my blog, thought I was going completely bonkers but it was the best thing I have ever done. Stepped out of my comfort zone (soooo far out) and had the best time, not to mention met so many fantastic like minded women. Don’t worry, I was pretty petrified once reality kicked in and I realised I didn’t know anyone. Oh and yes – The QT is brilliant, you have to go, I hear one has just opened at Port Douglas (I think).
pS. QT Hotel is now a must visit for me – looked so amazing! That food? WOW!
I truly feel like I have missed the best event of the year. Your pics are amazing and your post so uplifting. I am loving all the fan-girl moments too. I am just going to have to make it to next year’s event. xx
Real fan girl moments for sure Sarah, so many friendly like minded women, it was fantastic. Lock in 2015! I can’t wait. Thanks for reading.
Great post – that hotel looks amazing!! And I am with Sarah…I am so going to have to ensure I make it to next year’s and experience this all for myself!!
Sarah I am looking forward to 2015 PBEvent already. That hotel IS amazing, great memories and fantastic new friends. Loved it. You definitely need to come.
Oh Chards. it was an amazing event wasn’t it?! So glad to have met you in person 🙂 I’ll follow your example next year and will leave the baby and Mr. at home! xoxox
Yes, good girl Anya, so much fun to have alone time without baby in toe. It was so great to meet you. I really can’t wait for next year.
… shouldn’t that be ‘baby in tow’, not ‘baby in toe’ ?! 😉
Gotta love the old grammatical error to stir some comments, ha ha ha. Right you are Kirralee. Unless of course she was carting the baby on her big toe, ha ha ha.
Great post you lovely woman! It was ace to meet you at problogger and I can’t wait to visit you up north one day with Beth and Mrs Woog. We must make that happen! xx
Can you sort that out please Caro!!! Was so great to meet you too, loved chatting over a wine. xx
You made me laugh, feel at home all at the same time! A shame you don’t live closer, I do believe we’d have a fab night out together!
We certainly would have a FAB night out together, can’t wait to get to know you even better at ProBlogger 2015!!! Have a great holiday lovely.
Wow wow wow! I have been waiting for this post! Oh sounds fantastic and do love a bit of blogging namedropping! As a seasoned blog reader and massive fan / stalker of several I might have to come as your ‘Lady in Waiting” next year!
Really loved meeting you Danielle. You are so fun to be around. It’s nice that now I hear your voice as I read your blog too. Hope to meet you again sometime!
You, my friend are amaaaaaaazing….all of those little children, good lord woman. Loved meeting you – see you next year!!!
Miss Chardy what a GREAT post. You know I’ve been blogging since 2008 and have ALWAYS been too scared to get out and meet other bloggers IRL at these events. But if a young lady from the Northern Territory can come to Queensland to do it then I can do it too. Thank you for telling your story including the shyness because that is ME. feeling like I am the ONLY one who doesn’t know everyone (PS food and digs looked mighty fine) how good is Nikki and Woogie and Baby Mac aaagh I am coming to the next one…are you? I will stalk you 🙂
Hello there Kylie – you can definitely do it – so good to step out of your comfort zone, and let me tell you so many others are in the same position, you just feel like the only one. Didn’t take me long to find some lovely ladies, everyone is just so fantastic esp because we are all like minded and there for the same reason. It was just SO MUCH FUN! I am definitely going to the next one, looking forward to it already. Can’t wait to meet you. Thanks so much for reading and commenting!!! I will be off to check out your blog.
It’s a date x PS new blog is very new so be patient with it – content will grow, oh and is a multi person affair, used to blog about Sunshine Coast Food and about art before that