1. Listen to your parents.

Before driving to a conference make sure you listen to your Father and prepare your vehicle for safe travel. First and foremost practice changing a tire. Pack the car manual. And write down the toll way's emergency numbers because you might end up frantically calling 911 with your carpooler admitting, "Um. Hi. We are just two clueless girls stranded with a flat with no idea of the mile marker."

2. Double check your agenda.

When arriving at the conference hotel, check to see how many nights you have reserved. Driving back and forth to best friend's condo instead of sleeping in the empty all-ready-reserved room might cost your conference room mate paying for an extra night at the hotel. Come on Chicago Sheraton Towers, mis-communication on your part for sending wrong confirmation.

3. Introduce yourself.

While in sessions introduce yourself to the person on your right and on your left and in front of you and behind. You might fail to recognize good friends in passing for 24 hours because no introduction was made until reading name tags. *smacking forehead* Introduce yourself! I really hope it's a typo but the talented man who took the most amazing photo of me, wrote that I was the first random blogger that said hello at a party. And I was 2.5 hours late. Introduce yourself, people.

4. Throw out all the labels.

Realize that most people, in the conferences of your choice, have much in common with you. Start a conversation with people you might not think you have a lot in common with but whom will pleasantly charm you. Life's too short not to broaden your horizons by stepping outside of the box and fill your life with great conversations.

5. Approach the "popular" crowd.

In most cases there is a good reason why they are popular... they are well liked. Chances are they are happy to have a conversation in the lobby. And even make you blush out loud with compliments. And if they don't acknowledge you, consider yourself successfully weeding out the mean people in your life.

6. When nervous, imagine everyone n@ked.

When speaking in front of large groups it's natural to be incredibly humbled and extremely nervous. Instead of starting your speech with, "Oh. Hi. Ummmm...." imagine the entire audience of 1,400 people n@ked. (the rest of the incredible BlogHer 2009 community keynotes are here) Oh. Yes. I did. I imagined all of you n@ked and got through it, yo!

Photo Courtesy of The Girls Momma.

7. Appreciate your sponsors.

Just like that soda/pop machine in the hallway of your high school paid for some incredible extras the corporate sponsors reduce the cost of your conference pass. No need to riot and proclaim it a sell out. Ragu had amazing center pieces, knowledgeable staff and food that most of the civilized world would salivate for.

8. Stop worrying about what to wear.

You are your worst critic after all. No one, of good nature, cares what you look like or will remember what you are wearing. A smile, warm hug, an amazing conversation, sturdy handshake and/or a simple "Hello" will make a lasting impression as confidence is your best accessory. Seriously.

9. Being greedy makes everyone else look bad.

Everyone notices your hungry votes for the homecoming throne,  as you elbow your competitors. You represent us. Empty threats for loot are disgusting as is your hunger for more. Represent yourself in an orderly manner and your loot will come. #ihavenoswagandcouldcareless

10. Enjoy.

I know, first hand, that it's super hard to enjoy the stressful periods in life. I was far from popular in high school I hated the pretentious pom pom squad but managed to be friends with just about everyone. A "social butterfly" of sorts, if you will. Being a fly-fly on the wall, jumping from this crowd to that crowd, allowed me to enjoy high school and the conference I attended last weekend. BlogHer 2009 (see photos here). If I hugged you, spoke to you, smiled at you and/or talked to you this last past weekend consider yourself a good friend. I made the most of it and had an amazing experience. 

Everything I really needed to know about conferences I already learned in high school. It's in your hands to make the most of it. As Maggie said, "I’m not going to preach that BlogHer is what you make of it and only what you make of it, though I believe that is mostly true in life." I would recommend every(blogger) reading this to start saving pennies for the next conference. Because last weekend I laughed so hard I cried, I hugged so tight I gasped, I talked so much I hurt on dozens of occasions. I encourage you to do the same.

Don't worry about what everyone else says. It's what you make of it, just like life.