You may be thinking to yourself, reasons to attend a conference a year from now?! I know, crazy. But after my experience this year, I feel like you should go ahead and mark this conference down in your calendars because there’s no doubt in my mind that you’ll want to attend.  And although this list could be double in length, here are my top ten reasons why I think we should meet at Craftcation next year:
1. The people. The people that attend are the best. Everyone is kind, open, and just willing to help you out with your business. There are no cliques and no feelings of superiority that you might find at other events. To follow with that…
2. The environment. There’s such an energetic buzz that surrounds Craftcation unlike any other. People just want to kick ass at owning their own business and seem to be happy to be connecting with others who feel the same.
3. You get to actually make stuff. Like stuff you’d actually want to make. A lot of times, conferences can be an overdose of information. To balance that out, there are TONS of hands-on craft and food workshops for those moments when you want to switch gears.
(via Instagram)
4. It’s on the beach. Had to, because it’s amazing.
5. It’s laid back. Â You can wear jeans and sneakers, you can wear lipstick, you can wear dresses. It doesn’t matter. There’s less pressure on changing outfits multiple times a day and more focus on what you’re going to takeaway.
6. Bernina. I first learned to sew at this conference on a Bernina machine and haven’t looked back. Their reps are also just the sweetest.
7. It’s affordable. Tickets are only around $400 (less I think?) for about 4 full days of panels and workshops; the hotel around $160 a night.
(via Instagram)
8. The Information. The panels/classes are jam packed with key things you absolutely need to know for your business, ie: bookkeeping, how to build your newsletter and brand, how to take better photographs.
9. City of Ventura. You can wonder downtown (a 2 minute walk away) to wonder in and out of the great thrift shops, restaurants, and of course Superbuzzy. You also get to each lunch at city hall, dinner at the fairgrounds, and some of the workshops are even off site. You aren’t stuck in the hotel the entire time. LA is also only an hour away, great for squeezing in a quick trip.
10. Nicole and Delilah. If you haven’t connected with these women yet, you absolutely need to. Not only do they plan and execute the entire event, but they are present and engaging throughout. They sit on panels. They take the photos. They meet and great you at registration. They genuinely want to connect with the people that come and that energy is felt.
Have you ever been to Craftcation before? What are some of your favorite conferences?