It’s been a week since I returned from the Type-A Parent conference, and I’m finally catching up. The conference itself was energizing—packed with learning and plenty of fun—but the red-eye flight home and only two hours of sleep last Sunday left me wiped out. I’m definitely getting too old for those late nights.
Explaining that I attended a blogging conference still feels odd; I usually say it was a “work thing” and hope the conversation moves on. Once you arrive, though, it’s a relief to be surrounded by people who don’t think writing online is strange. Even when I have my doubts, it’s comforting to be among others who get it.
I probably don’t need to warn you that this post is photo-heavy—my blog tends to be that way these days—so here are a few highlights.
I was lucky to have my friend Miranda in Atlanta—an instant conference buddy who made the weekend feel less lonely. Even if I had gone alone I think I would have had a great time; people were welcoming and friendly. At one breakfast I realized after talking for fifteen minutes that I had told a table of strangers my life story. They didn’t seem to mind.
I stepped out of my comfort zone and attended the Military Spouse bloggers tribe session on the first day, which turned out to be a great decision. I connected with the team behind NextGenMilSpouse and learned that many brands are interested in engaging with that community. Even when I don’t always identify with every label, belonging to that community matters and carries value.
Type-A has long been on my conference list, but it wasn’t certain I’d make it this year because of schedules and other commitments. Fortunately the MinuteClinic team discovered my blog and invited me as a sponsored blogger. I was thrilled to attend with their group. We shared an unforgettable cab ride to a delicious dinner and I bonded with Vicki over New England and photography.
The hilarious and awesome Heather of The Third Boob mans the MinuteClinic table during meet & greet
Yum, yum, and yum
Definitely the best booth at the expo
The sessions were strong, especially the technical ones. I picked up useful tips for Google+ that I plan to put into practice, even if it requires convincing myself to care about yet another platform. The legal session on blogging was eye-opening—there’s a lot to know about protecting your content. The lawyer recommended watermarking images, while many photographers I spoke with believe watermarks are easy to remove and don’t always stop misuse. In practice watermarking can help identify image sources and occasionally leads to proper attribution, but it’s not a perfect solution. For now I’m focusing on tools like Google Search Console and spending less time issuing takedown requests.
The most impressive sponsor activation was the AT&T Digital Life house. Their team executed it perfectly—cocktails served in mason jars, delectable small plates, and clear, engaging demonstrations. My husband would have loved signing us up for the automated smart home features; a door that notifies you when a child arrives home sounds incredibly convenient. As the kids grow, smart home features like that become more appealing.
The best evening events were the Disney Star Tours party and the Time To Play game night. I worried “game night” might be awkward, but it was one of the funniest parts of the weekend. We played Headbanz and I laughed until I nearly cried—definitely a highlight.
The drinks were called “Dark Sider” (spiked cider) and the “Jedi Mind Trick,” which was a delicious mystery. It WAS the martini I was looking for.
The standout moment for me was the We Still Blog readings on Sunday. Hearing writers read their work aloud was powerful—not only because the pieces were wonderfully written, but because it reminded everyone that there’s a real person behind every post. Miranda bravely read a hilarious piece that had the room roaring. The readings reinforced something a keynote speaker, Erika Napoletano, said: choose your words carefully, because people are listening. That idea has stayed with me.
Miranda reading and posing with Erika after the keynote
Overall, it was a wonderful weekend. The balance of education and entertainment felt just right, and many speakers were clearly experts in their fields. I met great people and left feeling inspired. If you’re thinking about attending next year—Type-A is in Atlanta again—put it on your calendar. It’s worth the trip.
Atlanta is beautiful at sunset