The 7th Annual Blog Societies Conference At Barnsley Resort

Two weeks ago we hosted our 7th Annual Blog Societies Conference at the stunning Barnsley Resort outside of Atlanta. We had 3 days of networking, workshops, speakers and creative breakouts. We decorated cookies, arranged flowers, had s’mores around the campfire and made new friends and connections.

If you’re not familiar with this event or you’re new around here, we host this annual event every summer for 75 of our members. Our goal is to create a weekend that you can leave feeling inspired. With tangible tools to take home to help build your business and grow even more. Most importantly, we love turning Internet friends into “in real life” friends. Here’s what went down at this year’s conference.

Our Destination, Barnsley Resort

Attendees traveled to Adairsville, GA to the beautiful Barnsley Resort. A historic southern estate where guests can enjoy horseback riding, canoeing, tennis, a spa, hiking, you name it! They also have historic ruins and gardens that are absolutely breathtaking.

Kick Off Welcome Party

With brands Joules, Cosmedix, My Kind of Lovely, Kendra Scott, Grayson, Physician’s Formula, Reduce, LaCroix, Yankee Candle, Essie, Marc Fisher, Dry Bar, Podia, Ink + Alloy, and Lisi Lerch.

This year we combined our networking suite and kick–off party into one event. Here attendees could catch up, have a drink and network with all of our brand sponsors. Attendees also got to put patches on their denim jackets with My Kind of Lovely, get a hair touch up with Dry Bar, a manicure with Essie, customize earrings with Kendra Scott and get fun Photo Booth photos with Joules and LaCroix. You also got to find the perfect button-up with Grayson and check out the new fall collection with Marc Fisher.

Breakfast in the Historic Ruins with LaCroix

Day 2 started off with breakfast in the Barnsley’s Historic Ruins with LaCroix. Attendees enjoyed eggs, bacon, fruit, pastries, coffee and of course LaCroix! It was such a beautiful way to start a day of learning.

Educational Blogging Workshops

Day 2 of #TBScon was full of workshops! This year we had seven workshops to chose from, most of our workshops this year were from new creatives! We had Abbey McGrew from Wayfarer Design Studio speaking on Defining & Refining Your Brand. Kara Ferguson, blogger behind Politics of Pretty and Digital Marketing Strategist, spoke on Email Marketing for Better Blog Readership.

Erica Ligenza, blogger behind Coming Up Roses and BossPitch online course, talked about Perfecting the Art of the Pitch. New York photographer Allie Provost, shared Instagram & Blog Photography Tips & Techniques. We had Ashlee Hightower from Contracts for Creatives back for the 2nd time to talk about The Basics of Reading & Writing a Contract. Work Well with Kate spoke on How to Price Yourself for Profitability. Co-Founder Jessica, stepped in and spoke on SEO on behalf of Clem SEO on Understanding Your Organic Performance.

Let’s just say after the workshops were done we left with long to-do lists and were feeling so motivated and inspired!

Lunch with Marc Fisher

We’re so happy to have had Marc Fisher host lunch us a delicious lunch in between workshops. We got to preview some new fall pieces and they had the most beautiful place settings and centerpieces. We also saw several pairs of shoes we have to have for fall!

Creative Breakout Sessions

This year we offered two creative breakout sessions for attendees. You could go and decorate #TBScon cookies with Renee of High Waisted Cookie or flower arranging with Malorie of Petal + Fold. Both sessions were so much fun and now we can’t wait to arrange flowers and decorate cookies for upcoming blog posts.

Farm to Table Dinner with Yankee Candle

After workshops and creative breakout sessions, attendees got a few hours to explore the Barnsley Grounds, take a dip in the pool, go skeet shooting and horseback riding. We all gather for a happy hour and dinner hosted by Yankee Candle. Yankee Candle shared their new Farmer’s Market Collection and attendees got to take home different size jars of the three scents. After happy hour, we sat down to a delicious farm to table meal. With fall right around the corner, we walked into a stunning fall room with beautiful textiles, decor, and centerpieces!

S’mores by the Campfire

After dinner, we all enjoyed s‘mores by the campfire. We talked about all the things we learned that day and enjoyed some chocolatey, marshmallow goodness!

Day 3, Time for Our Speakers!

After breakfast hosted by The Barnsley Resort, we were ready for our speakers! We started with Manu of Your Social Team. She gave us so many good nuggets of wisdom that we can’t wait to implement. Next was Matt of Podia, inspiring all of us to create an online course to expand our brand! Then we had a favorite from last year’s conference, Brittany Stevens of Lawyer Lookbook, to share updated information on the ever-changing world of FTC Guidelines. We were educated on how to make sure we never get an FTC letter for violating guidelines from Instagram to Stories and more. These three speakers were the perfect way to end a fun filled weekend!

Workshop Leaders and Speakers

Brittany Stevens • Ashlee Hightower • Erica Ligenza • Matt Ragland • Manu Muraro • Kara Ferguson • Malorie Orme • Renee Bledsoe • Kate Gremillion • Clem Coleman • Allie Provost • Kate Jones • Abbey Estep

Thank You To Our Sponsors

Barnsley Resort • Marc Fisher • Yankee Candle • LaCroix • DryBar • Joules • Kendra Scott • My Kind of Lovely • Grayson • Essie • Podia • Aerie • Reduce • Physician’s Formula • Gal Meets Glam • 1 State • Ink + Alloy • Lisi Lerch • Sharpie • Talbots • Cosmedix • Lilly Pulitzer • Birdie & Boe • Rifle Paper Co. • Violet & Brooks • Suite Plants • Pollyann Collection

All photos by Hannah Lozano

Video by Drew Glickman Films

Now it’s Giveaway Time!

Enter for your chance to win your own #TBScon 2019 Swag Bag full of goodies from all of our event sponsors from this year’s event! This bag is worth over $1,000 and includes: 

My Kind Of Lovely Sunjellies Bag, Joules Clutch, Kendra Scott Necklace, Lisi Lerch Earrings, Ink & Alloy Earrings & Bracelets, Drybar Dry Shampoo, Cosmedix Opti-Crystal and Lumi-Crystal, Essie Gel Polish, Reduce Drinkware, Talbots Scarf, Physicians Formula Makeup, Rifle Paper Co. Notebook, Grayson Buttondown Shirt, Marc Fisher shoes and Yankee Candle Candle.

We hope to see you at #TBScon in 2020!