Co-founder/Director Arik Hanson and I kicking off the Minnesota Blogger Conference Saturday morning. Photo courtesy of Julio Ojeda-Zapata.

Last Saturday was the 3rd annual MN Blogger Conference in Minneapolis. More than 200+ bloggers attended to network and learn from  15 talented speakers.

Our team this year was really amazing and we are super grateful to them: Sara Kerr, Jenny Huschka, Jen Westpfahl, Anna Rendell, Ryan May, Stacy Pearson, Lee Owens, Grant Spanier, Leah Zins, Teresa Boardman and Robert Dempsey.

Ready to start the day! Leah Zins, Missy Berggren and Jenny Huschka (Leah and Jenny are both on the planning team).

There were amazing sponsors this year – including Pioneer Press, Mall of America, Allina Health, Padilla Spears Beardsley, Strother Communications Group, Plum District, National Camera Exchange, Sleep Number, ArtHouse and Muddy Paws Cheesecake. What a fabulous group of partners who made the day possible. 

Our featured charity this year was Free Arts Minnesota – we collected art supplies and cash/check donations to support them serving children in need. Mandy from Glimpses of Soul photography donated 100% of her time to take 78 headshots and raising nearly $1000.

Support from our sponsors allowed us to provide complimentary coffee and breakfast, a baked potato bar lunch and even a fabulous cheesecake break in the afternoon (from Muddy Paws). It was pretty great!

What began as the glimmer of an idea between Arik Hanson and I a few years ago has resulted in three fabulous years of blogger education and connections. 

Thanks to everyone who attended, sponsored, spoke or otherwise supported this great event!