#5: awesome sessions.
Our breakout group.
It’s always a good sign when I attend more than one session (and stay) at a conference. The session that stands out most in my mind was the “Hands-On Cause Marketing” workshop where we broke out into small groups (no, it was a good thing I promise!) and brainstormed marketing strategies for a Make A Wish Foundation campaign. My group focused on social networking and photo sharing, and I facilitated the Twitter portion. We came up with amazing ideas for custom donation widgets, Twitter hashtag campaigns, custom Facebook avatars and more. Loved it.
#4: awesome mountains.
Look at that green!
This Okie couldn’t stop looking at the beauty of the green Utah mountains. I even rode up a gondola to the top of a mountain for the Photography Workshop Friday afternoon, and wow, it was breathtaking! Because of that Photography Workshop, I learned how to use the manual mode on my Nikon D40, which was a huge achievement for me. I was amazed at the photos I brought home of the beautiful and inspiring Utah landscape.
#3: awesome dancing.
Me & @tipjunkie gettin' funky.
Thank you Evo & Bush’s Beans for having a dance floor at the closing party. One of my loves is dancing, but I so rarely do it. I seriously danced for hours without a care in the world and it was the perfect way to end an amazing conference. I even learned how to line dance. (yes, I am an Okie who doesn’t know how to line dance) I also loved that the party was extremely family friendly and the kids were having as much fun as the adults were on the dance floor.
#2: awesome pool jumping.
@chaoticbarb, @thinkmaya, @greeblemonkey, @herbadmother, @jylmomif, @daniellesmithtv, me, @bookieboo, @makeandtakes, @centsiblelife, @princesshaley
Not your ordinary pool jumping, though. No, we’re talking about jumping in fully clothed. This is a tradition that Jyl started a few months back at an event and I’m not going to lie, I was very skeptical. After seeing her gather up a huge group to do it this time, I had to participate. (didn’t want to look like a wuss) So, we all took off our shoes and jewelry, circled around the pool holding hands, counted to three and SPLASH! We all came up laughing, screaming and hugging each other. I can’t fully explain the emotion I had, but it was a mixture of exhilaration, freedom and camaraderie. It is a memory that is impossible to forget.
#1: awesome friends.
Reuniting with great friends and making new relationships is the #1 reason why I attend events like Evo. Nothing tops the hugs, laughs, and conversations you have with those you love. With that, I leave you with some photos of these friendships, both old and new.
@thinkmaya, me, @jennyonthespot, @jylmomif, @tipjunkie and is that @troypattee in the back?
@mommyniri & me
@herbadmother & me
me & @jylmomif
me & @katjapresnal
@princesshaley & me
me & @youngmommy
Thank you, Evo, see you next year.
About Mom Spark
Love this post, Amy! I need to get a copy of that pic of the two of us. You were such an instrumental element to the success of this conference for me. Your friendship means the world!
So excited to see you in just 5 weeks at BlogHer… hopefully you won’t wake up again in the middle of the night LOL!
Also… I’m sure there’s a pool at the hotel in NYC. I know you want to jump in again
.
jyl
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Mom Spark Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 4:39 pm
@Jyl Johnson Pattee, Awesome midnight freak outs was #6! LOL
Love you, girl.
Mom Spark´s last [type] ..Top 5 Awesome Moments from the Evo Conference
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Looks like you all really had a blast. I love the pool jumping!
Kris Cain´s last [type] ..Motorola Droid X Multimedia Station and more accessories
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Love your top 5! It was such a great experience from beginning to end. And, oh how I loved that dance party end.
Kate @ The Shopping Mama´s last [type] ..Little Girls Look Lovely in Pipsqueak Couture with Giveaway
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This is a fabulous list…although your comment about the midnight freakouts to Jyl really had me rolling! LOL!
Love the photos!
princesshaley´s last [type] ..The moments that made Evo Conference
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Mom Spark Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 4:50 pm
@princesshaley, Jyl’s room was haunted. I’m sure of it.
Mom Spark´s last [type] ..Top 5 Awesome Moments from the Evo Conference
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Ok, I am totally biased – I think the best pic is of you and me!
Love you girl and am so glad that time has passed yet we remain good friends. Counting the days until BlogHer
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Mom Spark Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
@niri, I totally agree! I cannot wait to see you again!
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I will be wearing swimwear at all times in NYC!
So fun thank you for sharing!
Tania aka Pure Natural Diva´s last [type] ..Gardening 101- Week 3
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Great Post! I’m getting to read some of these EVO posts and although I met some AMAZING new friends, feeling like I somehow missed ALOT of them as well! I was even one of the few who made the jump in the pool with you and yet I don’t think we ever really got to meet.
Can’t wait to read some of your posts…I already see and hear lots of you on Twitter
)
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Sorry to have a booked schedule when many of these events arise! Looks like everyone had a great time. I had heard about that clothes pool event – fun news travels! Is anyone coming to Atlanta to the Spark & Hustle event this year?
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Can’t wait to see you next year!!!
Gena´s last [type] ..Infantino Fold N Go Bouncer is a perfect travel companion
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Mom Spark Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
@Gena, Same here! Are you going to BlogHer?
Mom Spark´s last [type] ..Top 5 Awesome Moments from the Evo Conference
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Absolutely loved EVO and loved being your roomie! (Next year too?
I had so much fun with you, it was great to get to know you better.
Katja of Skimbaco´s last [type] ..Patriotic Boston – Happy 4th of July-
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Mom Spark Reply:
July 5th, 2010 at 12:49 am
@Katja of Skimbaco, It was great knowing you better, too, and I enjoyed our late night talks! See you in a few weeks.
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It was so wonderful finally meeting you in person after chatting on Twitter all this time. You are one lovely lady.
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Mom Spark Reply:
July 5th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
@Lu, Same to you! Hope to chat with you more next time.
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Love Love Love You Amy! Seriously, you are the warmest and smartest person and I consider it an honor to be your friend. You’re the real deal babe and I have the highest respect for you!
Huge Hugs from Texas as I miss you already.
Laurie´s last [type] ..300 Birthday Party Ideas -amp Inspiration
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Mom Spark Reply:
July 5th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
@Laurie, You’re making my heart all warm and fuzzy.
I loved hanging and dancing with you and I can’t wait to see you again! (Austin, maybe?)
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Such a lovely set of photos and yes, I will be there next year. Oh, and I am hitting thew pool with you and Jyl
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Mom Spark Reply:
July 6th, 2010 at 1:15 am
@Jennifer (Savor), It is ON!
Mom Spark´s last [type] ..AVG – Free Anti-Virus Services
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Great list, Amy! One of the highlights of EVO, for me, was seeing you. Looking forward to seeing your sweet face again a couple more times this summer!
Christine´s last [type] ..Let Freedom Ring… It’s Independence Day
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Mom Spark Reply:
July 6th, 2010 at 1:14 am
@Christine, You are a sweetie! Yes, you’ll be sick of me soon enough!
Mom Spark´s last [type] ..AVG – Free Anti-Virus Services
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Wasn’t it delightful?! Such fun pictures, especially of Troy photobombing!
See you soon!
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Mom Spark Reply:
July 6th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
@Petit Elefant, I’m sure I told you already, but I love your hair dark, very flattering!
Mom Spark´s last [type] ..AVG – Free Anti-Virus Services
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Loved getting to spend some time with you in such beautiful surroundings. Next time, I am totally sticking with the pool jumpers- you guys looked *way* better than us in the morning…
Naomi´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday- the Fourth of July
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Mom Spark Reply:
July 7th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
@Naomi, Same to you! You are SO jumping in the pool next time because I’m pulling you in.
Mom Spark´s last [type] ..Top 5 Awesome Moments from the Evo Conference
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Awesome post Amy. It was so much fun meeting and dancing with you. I look forward to seeing you again soon!
Krista´s last [type] ..Summer in the Mountains Packing Tips and List
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Love, love, love… What a wonderful conference and you know how much I adore spending any time with you… #love
jennyonthespot´s last [type] ..The Confessional – I Confess… Stuffs
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Mom Spark Reply:
July 8th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
@jennyonthespot, #shine
Mom Spark´s last [type] ..Top 5 Awesome Moments from the Evo Conference
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