Nearly three years ago in November of 2009, I saw a need for a niche focused home bloggers’ conference and I decided to take a risk. I emailed 18 bloggers that I respected and admired, and I cast a vision. Below is a screenshot of the email I wrote. (I took out the emails to protect their email privacy.) Note the sponsor suggestions!
Rhoda was the first one to respond to my email, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled! Little did she know that in two short years she would be volunteering to lead us in making this vision a reality! Look at the highlighted text below. It makes me smile :)!
And here is one more that makes me smile! (AnNicole doesn’t blog any longer which is a shame for all of us. She has an amazing eye for design and is incredibly talented.)
After several other back and forth email exchanges, I decided to write a post entitled Homecreators Conference to gauge interest for such an event. Twenty-six bloggers weighed in and said they would attend! I was thrilled—and that’s pretty much where it ended. I looked into hotels and wrote up a few sponsor pitches, and then decided that I was insane for thinking I could pull this thing off.
Fortunately for all of us, Rhoda decided to pick up the ball and lead the way in creating the Haven team.
picture via DomestiCate
She emailed me in late April of 2011 and asked if I’d be interested in helping her plan the event. Woohoo! Absolutely! We began weekly Skype calls and spent countless hours trying to figure out a name for our conference. (Dwell was a strong contender for awhile but it was heavily trademarked already, so I suggested Haven and we all seemed to like it. I also LOVED the sound of Haven Mavens! It was perfect.) Layla spent a few days (literally) of her life helping us design a logo and the Haven Conference was born!
picture via Traci
Being a part of the Haven team and speaking in sessions was a real dream come true for me. Our team worked very hard all year to prepare for the conference but we definitely could NOT have done it without Rhoda or Kristen our Haven Team VP and event planner. She was amazing in handling so many of the details! And oh my goodness you all—are there ever A LOT of details involved in pulling off a conference! It’s like planning for a three day wedding ceremony and reception. I stuffed all of the attendees nametags and helped move all of the swag to the hotel. Through that process, I learned that I need to hit the gym more :). Our swag was heavy!
During the conference, I spoke on SEO in the I Like Big Blogs session and how to style vignettes in the Decor 101 session. I was trying to hide the fact that I was doubled over with cramps during the second day of the conference and thanks to some generous gifts of advil I was able to make it through! Yikes! If I didn’t get a chance to sit and talk with you, (or had some awful pained expression on my face while I was talking to you), forgive me. I did my best to try and balance setting up, speaking twice, mingling with everyone, and trying to keep my stress levels in check. I’m not an extrovert so conferences require my all as I’m sure some of my fellow introverts out there can relate to :). All the attendees were amazing and it was so much fun to finally be able to place a voice and real person with a blog!
I think our team is still recovering from Haven 2012, but I really hope we are able to see many of you at Haven 2013 :)! Thanks to everyone who made this event a reality. It takes a niche to build a conference *wink*!
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
I’m so glad you sent that first email Beth! And so glad there is a Haven this year!! I didn’t realize it was up in the air for bit for this year.
Curious.. did you end up having it in VA Beach that first year?? It’d be so great if it that’s where it were held…I live here in Hampton Roads. 😉
Maybe next year! 😉
Nancy
Beth says
Last year was actually the first year for Haven and it was in Atlanta. Rhoda is our fearless leader and we are thrilled to help her with Haven!
christina @ homemade ocean says
I am fairly new to the blogging scene, and have been considering conferences for a hot minute. I just know Haven is the perfect “intro to conferences” conference! I am very much looking forward to 2013!!!
Beth says
Haven is an amazing conference! We’re all sold out so if you don’t already have a ticket be sure to look on the Haven facebook page for those selling their tickets :). Hope to see you there Christina!
Jillian {Her Split Ends} says
Nicely done! I was unable to attend this year BUT am looking forward to next year and would love to help out in the planning / putting together of everything! Please let me know if i can help!!
Cheers
~ Jillian
http://www.hersplitends.com
Megan {Honey We're Home} says
Beth, that is awesome that you got to see your vision come to fruition! I was planning to come, but I had to attend a work conference in Omaha at that time. So bummed to have missed it, but I’ve been reading all the recaps and everyone has said how wonderful it was, how much they enjoyed it, and most importantly, how much they learned! I think it is a success that people felt the conference was worthwhile! HUGE kudos to you all!!
Bernadette @ B3HD says
Cool behind the scenes glimpse at the start. I almost made it this year, but got detoured to hippy summer camp in Canada instead (which was well worth it, but still). Hoping there is a 2013 or 14 and would love to share some ideas with you offline that might help grow the pool of attendees/sponsors. You all pulled off some amazing sponsors and an amazing event from all the recaps I’ve seen.
B
Beth says
Thanks Bernadette! A hippy summer camp sounds like fun too!
david says
Wow! I didn’t know that the whole Haven concept was yours initially. How great to come up with an idea like that and then to make it happen. From reports all over the blogosphere it was beautifully organized and incredibly helpful. You and your team should be really proud of yourselves – cause that ain’t easy!
Congrats!
David
Beth says
I certainly can’t take credit for Haven. I thought a DIY/Home blogger conference would be amazing, but my dream sort of stopped with a round of emals and a blog post. Rhoda was the one to put legs to the idea and I’m just THRILLED I was able to be a part of seeing my dream come to fruition! It was a true thrill to see it all unfold :).
Serendipity says
Wow, Beth! How cool! I wondered how and when it started. Now all I need to do is to figure out a way to attend next year! You ladies are incredible! Well done, and thank you!
Beth says
We’d love to have you!
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
Fun post!! I remember you posting way back when about how much you wished a conference for DIYers/Home Bloggers could be a reality. Your dream came true! Haven was a smash, and I enjoyed it so much. 🙂 I came home inspired to get some work done around here…and I have!! 🙂
Catherine & Nathan says
Beth, what a great post! We absolutely loved getting to be a part of Haven Conference and meeting you and all of the other wonderful bloggers in person. Thank you for a fantastic conference!
Erin @ DIY On the Cheap says
I’m so glad you had the idea and that it came to fruition, because it was an amazing experience for all who attended. I’m really hoping for a Haven 2013, and I have already told Rhoda I’d be happy to volunteer in any way that might be helpful since I am an Atlanta local! I know I speak for everyone when I say that I benefited from it in so many ways – I learned a ton, made friends with so many amazing women, was inspired, learned more about the business side of things, etc. I’m just so happy I was able to be a part of it. So, THANK YOU!! Great idea.
Cindy B says
Hi Beth, I was one of the lucky people that attended Haven and got to see your presentation…it was fanstatic…so much great information. I cannot thank you and the rest of the Haven Team enough for putting together such a great conference!
Beth says
Thank you so much Cindy!
Cindy Miller says
Beth,
Haven was such a great event. Thank you for starting the ball rolling and seeing it through. I’m now looking at my blogging so differently. One of my fav sessions was We Love Big Blogs, wish I had recorded it, thank you for all the invaluable info. I adored meeting you! See you at Haven 2013!
Beth says
So great meeting you too Cindy!!
Heather says
Hi Beth! What an inspirational post! I tip my hat off to you that you had the drive and determination to make your dream come true. Thank you (and the other ladies!) for creating Haven, an amazing opportunity for all of us to grow our blogs and meet new bloggy friends. I hope to attend Haven one day myself! I love your blog and have been reading it for some time but didn’t realize, until I read this post, that you live in Virginia Beach!!! I live in Chesapeake VA!!! Small bloggy world isn’t it! Please swing by my blog sometime and say hello! I hope you and your family have a great week and a happy July 4th too! I look forward to reading more of your creative posts and Heather 🙂
Beth says
It was a dream come true to be part of the Haven team and I’m so grateful to Rhoda for having the courage to put legs to this thing and get us all organized! I actually live in central PA but my entire family is down in VA Beach/Norfolk/Chesapeake and I visit frequently! Thanks for inviting me over to your blog. I’ll swing by in a few and say hello :).
Miss Charming says
All great things start with a simple idea. (And what an idea it was!). Haven was so exciting for me. It was my first bloggy conference ever. It truly was wonderful meeting so many smart, witty, creative, incredible like-minded women (and men). Everyone was so friendly and approachable. I absolutely loved meeting you. (You’re just as fantastic as I thought you would be!). Thanks for all your vision and hard work, Beth! Here’s to Haven 2013.
Beth says
Loved meeting you girl! Your t-shirt was brilliant branding :). I’m so glad you came!!
Debbie refreshrestyle says
Thank goodness for that first email!! I really appreciate all the hard work you guys put in to Haven!! It was wonderful and I can’t wait until next year 🙂
Thank you all for a wonderful conference,
Debbie
Beth says
Thanks Debbie! It was a pleasure meeting with you and chatting a bit at the table :).
Natalie @ A Turtle's Life for Me says
I had such a wonderful time and feel like I am still riding the high from it! I sincerely thank all of you so much for all of the time, effort and enthusiasm you put into it! It was my 1st ever conference and I’m beyond happy that I was able to attend!! If you ever need help planning the next one, I would be thrilled at the chance! Thank you, thank you and give yourself a huge pat on the back for a job well done!!
Beth says
Natalie since you’re so close to me we should go thrifting sometime together! Wouldn’t that be fun? 🙂
Tracie @cleverlyinspired says
Whole…. Not wghole, guess that’s the wine talkin;)
Beth says
Mmmmmmm…wine. Yummy.
Tracie @cleverlyinspired says
It was such a good idea you had… And so thankful y’all saw the wghole thing though! It was so nice to meet you in person. You are so warm and welcoming! And hey…. If y’all need help next year I am raising up both hands to help;) xoxo
Beth says
Fantastic meeting you too Tracie! It was fun to hang out and chat!
Laura at Top This Top That says
How awesome is that. To have that vision and to see it through after a few years. Most people would have given up and just “thought” about the chance to do something like this. My hats off to you for hanging in there and hosting such a wonderful event.
Beth says
Well, I kind of just gave up on it and am so thankful that Rhoda put legs to the whole thing!!
Kerri, A Pop of Pretty says
Beth, I loved every minute of it! It was so great to meet you in person. I sure hope there’s a 2013, but I understand that its a huge commitment for the organizers. Thanks again to you, Rhoda and all the amazing bloggers who made it happen. ~Kerri, A Pop of Pretty
Beth says
Kerri! I was so thrilled that you came and that I got to hug you :).
ange says
Really fun to read about the “conception” of Haven. Thanks for sharing and for all the hard work that went into this conference. That time of the month always comes at the most incovenient times, like vacations and anytime you have big plans. Hope there is a Haven 2013 or maybe every other year is more feasible, Haven 2014? Thanks again!
Beth says
Hmmm, every other year might be a great way to go. And yes! Why oh why does my cycle seem to align itself to all holidays and any important event. So inconvenient being a girl sometimes :).
jessica@fourgenerationsoneroof says
What a great post Beth! Very cool to see how Haven was born 🙂 Good idea posting the emails ect. , it was a fun read.
Beth says
I loved meeting you Jessica!
Karah @ thespacebetweenblog says
Wow! What a journey, I can only imagine the pride of the group to see it all come together as such a success. So happy to be a part of the inaugural event. 🙂
Beth says
I’m so glad you were too Karah! We are so glad we were all able to come together as a group for a few days and learn from each other!
Ash @ HumberHome Project says
How fun to see how the whole thing started! I can’t even imagine how much thought and planning went into putting together an entire conference – but it looks/sounds like it was a huge success!
Have you started talking about 2013 yet? I was too new to the blogging game to attend this year, but I definitely want to make next year happen! 🙂
Beth says
Oh I hope so! Right now we are evaluating everyone’s feedback from this year (which is mostly positive) and talking about what we would do differently next year but no plans are currently in place. We’ll announce it if/when Haven 2013 is happening!
Heather says
What a lot of work!! I would have loved to have come this year, but was unable to attend. :(. When will we know the location for next year’s Haven?!! Is there a next year’s Haven. 🙂
Beth says
I’m hopeful that there will be a Haven 2013 but we just don’t know that yet. Hopefully we’ll know a little more by August.
Vivienne @ The V Spot says
How fun to see the glimpses of “how it all started”. Thanks for going with your gut and creating the Haven conference for us. I loved every minute. 🙂