MomImpact

Chicago bloggers are fortunate that the city has hosted the BlogHer conference two times, but in 2010 it was held in New York City. A handful of Chicago bloggers who opted to stay back in the Second City during BlogHer10 decided to hold a meet-up of their out here in town. Chicago social media mavens Hope Bertram, Sara Fisher, and Kim Moldofsky organized an evening of networking, conversation and fun at Theory Chicago.

The group of nearly two dozen women was treated to a private screening of Melissa Pierce’s film, Life in Perpetual Beta, a crowd-sourced documentary that explores the ways technology is changing our culture. Melissa, a mom of three who created the most of the film while her young ones napped, celebrated her birthday with the group.  Chicago singer and newbie blogger, Jan James, wowed the women with her soulful rendition of “Happy birthday.”

Inspired by the Tutus for Tanner 5K at BlogHer, attendees posed wearing the (now) official Chicago tutu in exchange for a small donation to the cause. Nicole of Help! Mama Remote called the get-together “a night of fun, laughter, hope, and inspiration,” that left her wondering how a few hours together with people she’d never met before could be so impactful.

There was little in the way of swag, no dance floor, and the party was over by 10:00, but there were many cards exchanged, lots of laughs shared, and several friendships forged during the event.

Tracey from Just Another Mommy Blog

BlogHer is a fabulous conference. I’ve learned a lot and had a great time during the three years I attended, but this year I’m focusing on smaller conferences. (Note to self: I have a ticket to give away to The TypeAMom Conference next month.) I’m sure the women will have a blast in NYC this year, but that doesn’t mean us homebodies can’t have a good time, too. I’m working with a few of Chicago’s leading social media ladies to put together a little something-something.  Sign up below if you’d like to hear more as the plans come together.

Kim

Able who? Skeevy what? MomImpact president Kim Moldofsky was impressed when she met the Minneapolis-based folks of Aunt Else’s Aebleskiver at the Housewares Show. Chad and his team impressed her with their passion for their small business which makes a mix and sells special cast iron pans used for making this Danish pastry.

Kim was intrigued. She knew she’d be passing through Minneapolis in June and that there was a wonderful group of bloggers there to meet, so….

Thanks to Aunt Else, Local D’Lish, Jennifer of Unplanned Cooking, Liz of Kitchen Pantry Scientist and the Blog Pantry ladies, we’re having a make-your-own aebleskiver party. Kim will also be talking to the group about brand-blogger relations.

Even if you’re not from Minneapolis, you have a chance to join in. Watch for #MNBlogPantry on Twitter the night of June 10, from 7-9 CST. And want to try you hand at aebleskiver?

Enter to win your own cast iron pan and Aunt Else’s mix, based on a 100-year-old recipe.

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations @MommyNeedsTherapy!

#GalenaMoms

Familiarization (fam) trips are old hat for the travel industry and blogger fam trips are becoming more common, but a fam trip for mombloggers to rural destination was unheard of until last weekend.

Last weekend, in conjunction with the Galen/Jo Daviess Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sotaventure and MomImpact, a group of eight moms (including MomImpact’s Kim Moldofsky) got a taste of family-friendly Galena, Illinois and the surrounding area. And speaking of tastes, the group also enjoyed some might fine Illinois wines courtesy of Galena Cellars.

Our thanks to the many partners that joined Dorian Dickinson, Celestino Ruffini, Mike Scholz, and the CVB for this ground-breaking effort:

Ulyssses S. Grant Home State Historic Site, The Old Blacksmith Shop and the Galena History Museum provided fascinating glimpses into the past

Cannova’s (delightful lunch; start with the bruschetta)

Fried Green Tomatoes (delicious dinner; end with tiramisu)

Roth Weaver and Brad Davis shared their beautifully restored Seal House

Eagle Ridge Resort provided deluxe vacation homes for the night

Galena On The Fly took bloggers to lofty heights with a lovely sunrise hot air balloon flight

Galena Log Cabin Getaway & Adventure Creek Alpaca Farm introduced the group to alpacas

Chestnut Mountain Resort tempted bloggers to return to take the alpine slide in the summer and ski lessons in the winter

The Mombloggers gave the CVB members a great lesson on social media as they Tweeted, blogged, FourSquared and Twitpic’d their way through the weekend. Additional content has since been posted by this enthusiastic group on Whrrl, Posterous, Flickr and YouTube.

Participating bloggers (check back for updated links):

Barb

Brandie

Kim

Kris

Lisa

Michelle

Tracey

Val

The event even attracted attention to ShePosts, the Mashable of Mom Blogs.

Taking mom blogger outreach to new heights in Galena, IL

I’m always on the lookout for exciting new items and experiences to share with MomImpact members. Last month I found a great one one when I was invited to Chicago’s MOTO restaurant for the premiere of Future Food.

A meal at MOTO is a delight for all the senses where what you see is not always what you get- an edible menu, “packing peanuts” that taste like buttered popcorn, and other surprises. It’s like Martha Stewart meets MythBusters.

MomImpact members can get a taste of this on April 13 with an exclusive opportunity to “flavor trip” with the mad scientists of food during a special live Twitter party hosted by MomImpact and Planet Green. (See the April 7, special issue of MomImpact Memos for full details.)

*the opportunity to receive mberry has ended, but the Twitter party on 4/13 at 10 EST is open to all (#FutureFood).

MomImpact is adding new clients even as we’re days from a real-life blogger tour of Mrs. Prindable’s factory, as well as a virtual blog review tour of their delicious gourmet jumbo caramel apples.

In mid-April, MomImpact is heading west to Galena, IL with ten fabulous Chicago-area mombloggers. Working with SotaVenture and the Galena Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, we’re going to show the bloggers some of the great family fun to be had in Galena, as well dining and lodging options.

Main Street, Galena, Illinois

Kim’s family headed to Galena last summer to research an article for TravelingMom.com and she’s looking forward to sharing her family’s finds with the group. See three days of her Galena family fun at Hormone-colored Days.