FinCon16: Back to My Blogging Roots

July 18, 2009 was the date of my first blog post. I was on a mission to focus on retirement savings and becoming debt-free and decided to start a personal finance blog.

I really got into the niche and met a lot of wonderful people. Some are still publishing personal finance content and others gave it up, like me, to pursue other interests. When I found out the yearly financial blogger conference, FinCon, was coming to San Diego I had to register. You see I had attended the very first one in 2011.

It was in the suburbs of Chicago and although about a quarter of the size of this year’s conference a great success. Here are some of my favorite memories from that conference.

Networking

Whether it was chatting with other bloggers in the hotel lobby, between sessions (and even skipping sessions) this conference has tons of connections being made. I can see from this year’s agendas there are formalized opportunities.

One of my favorite things we did in 2011 was host a pizza party in our room (roomie was the awesome Crystal from Budgeting in the Fun Stuff). We stuffed 10 or so people in the room and spent hours talking about everything under the sun.

Conference Organization

This was and from the looks of it continues to be on of the best organized conferences around. Everything started on time, the agenda was content-packed with great speakers and there weren’t any snafus (that I saw). Kudos to Phil from PT Money and his team.

It’s grown to the point that the conference has an app and sponsored parties requiring registration.

Plutus Awards

The Plutus Awards were started in 2009 by the founder of Consumerism Commentary, Harlan Luke Landes (formerly known as Flexo). This was an opportunity for the community to recognize quality within itself. The community nominates, votes on and then gets to celebrate the winners!

I was actually nominated in a couple of categories at FinCon 2011 (alas no trophy for me) and I can’t wait to congratulate this year’s winners.

Hugs and Cookies

Just because you met someone online doesn’t mean the connection isn’t genuine. Nothing says it more than being greeted with hugs.
The best hugger of the bunch is J. Money, no doubt and I’m looking forward to one as it’s been a few years.

The cookies I’m speaking about are from Ally Bank. I must have been too busy munching away to take a picture but if they’re there this year you will get to see them. You know it has to be good if I’m writing about it 5 years later!

If you’re attending FinCon16, I can’t wait to meet you. San Diegans, there are still tickets for a free Money Meetup sponsored by USAA Wednesday, September 21st. Click HERE to register.