BlogHer ’11 Swag & My Favorite Products

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When I registered for BlogHer ’11, I had no idea what I was in for with the swag. The sponsor expo was huge and featured big brands like P&G as well as new brands like Dolphin Organics. I couldn’t believe how much the sponsors were giving away – and that didn’t include the contests and sponsored parties.

Baby products from Dolphin Organics

I easily think I got enough swag to cover my BlogHer ticket. It was insane.

Here are the highlights:

1. The most talked about and most genius giveaway was from Eden Fantasies. It was – ahem – a bag full of sex toys. I heard about it my first day. I was busy moving from session to session, and didn’t make it to the expo hall until much later in the day. But what I heard was that vibrators were being given away. And let me just say – I saw lots of women walking around with their black Eden Fantasies bags. I’m wondering what the TSA people were thinking about when all the BlogHer attendees flew out of San Diego airport. And yes, of course I took a bag!
2. I think the nicest booth was Dr. Scholl’s. They were so sweet and accommodating. I got a pair of emergency flats, heel cushions, closed toe cushions, and a free foot massage.
3. Retail Me Not was giving away cash. I really wanted to step into the cash booth to grab my money but my tired, pregnant feet couldn’t wait that long.
4. 

   Zarbees All-Natural Cough Syrup

   I loved the the number of organic and eco sponsors. I can’t wait to try the line of baby products from Dolphin Organics (they just launched 5 weeks ago) on baby #3 in a couple of months. And Zarbee’s cough syrup should be a hit in our house – I usually avoid cough syrups and cold medicine as much as possible and love that we have an all-natural option.

5. The baby food pouches from Ella’s Kitchen were a hit with my son. Um yeah, he’s 4 years old but he thought the pouches were juice boxes. He ate a pouch of carrots and banana baby brekkie in less than 5 minutes. I can’t wait to try them with baby #3.
6. I was really impressed with Paper Culture. I loved that all cards and paper goods were 100% recycled. Plus, they plant a tree for EVERY order and the company is carbon-free. They’re not just about offering eco-products, they take it a step further by trying to make a difference in their community. Inspiring!
7. Even some of the big brands were offering eco-friendly versions of popular products – like an all-natural teething gel from Baby Oragel. 3M offered green versions of their kitchen sponges and tape (which my kids love). Clorox now has compostable cleaning wipes – which I can’t wait to use. I would love for these brands to consider removing chemicals from all their products and go all-natural. It’s a long way to go, but they’re making a step in the right direction.
8. 

   Baby Oragel Naturals

   Glad offered genius salad bowls with little dressing containers that were BPA free. Seriously, it doesn’t take much to please me here. I love their bowls. Plus, I saw they were giving them to bloggers to use for storing snacks. Much more earth friendly than disposable plates.

9. Chocolate and yummy snacks were plentiful from Dove, Skinny Cow (which offered fake eyelashes too), and Proflowers.
10. Sadly, Snapfish didn’t give me the time of day. I had no idea what was going on in their booth. They were busy prepping blogger books. Too bad because I actually use Snapfish for my photos.
11. There were lots of big brands but I avoid them just because the products they sell don’t align with what I buy for my family. There was a whole aisle of processed food sponsors that I avoided altogether.
12. 

    Clorox compostable wipes

    Big brand characters were in full swing, including California Raisins, Jimmy Dean Sun, Mr. Pringles, and the Scrubbing Bubbles Guy.

For BlogHer ’12, I would bundle sponsors together a bit more based on blogger interests, like all the organic and all natural sponsors together. Plus, I would love small and independent companies to be featured. Big brands have a lot of resources to reach out to bloggers. They have PR firms with a large network of contacts. I feel like part of the attraction with a blogging conference is the intimacy of connecting with others – and it would be great to connect with small companies.

Did you attend BlogHer ’11? What was your favorite swag.