Blog Summit, day 1.
It’s late. Here’s a quick round-up.
Many, many people — about 90 folks, or thereabouts. AG Bob McDonnell opened things up with a highly-tailored speech — he’d clearly done his homework. He was followed by Dr. Bob Holsworth, who provided some really remarkable perspective on the recent history of Virginia politics and some enjoyable speculation on where things are going. He made a few points that I’ll be chewing over for a while to come. He’s good like that.
We broke up into groups. Kenton led the Blogging 101 session. I asked him how it went afterwards and he was pessimistic, but the folks I talked to were extremely impressed. I wish I’d been able to be there. Jon Henke and I were the panelists on Enhancing and Promoting Your Blog. The audience was wonderful, we all had a great discussion about how blogs can become more well known and what tools can make that possible. Jon’s QandO is, of course, a very well-known and well-respected blog — far beyond this here blog — so his perspective was invaluable.
Then dinner, which was surprisingly good. Jerome Armstrong delivered a speech about blogging, the Virginia Webb/Miller/Allen race, and the Dean campaign model. Like Dr. Holsworth, he provided much to consider; everybody seemed to quite enjoy his remarks.
Finally social time. Al Weed hosted a reception on the UVa Corner, at a bar, while Tucker Watkins hosted one a few blocks away. I spent about half an hour at each. The former was quite crowded and boisterous, partially because Al had a good number of staffers and volunteers there. Sen. Creigh Deeds arrived just as I left for Tucker’s reception. Tucker’s was at a hotel. The alcohol was top-notch, and the conversation a bit better still. I was pleased to meet Alton, who I had just learned had come into town for the night.
Oh, and my camera’s missing. Anybody seen a Canon Digital Rebel? I last had it at the day’s main meeting space, on the registration table.
Tomorrow morning, Bodo’s, 8:15am. Seems like most everybody will be there, so business should be oddly brisk for them. Then a pair of workshop options, lunch with Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Mike Shear as speakers, and we’ll call it a day.
This is exhausting. Thankfully it’s also a lot of fun. We’re all making a lot of new friends.
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