Alt SF Opening Session: Roundtables

By: Melanie Blodgett. Photo by: Justin Hackworth.

If you're headed to Alt SF, on Thursday morning get checked-in and blinged up thanks to Vivint. Then before we jump in to the panels and keynotes, we'll be warming you up with many activities to choose from. Round table sessions, crafts and sponsor connections will all be available between 8 - 10 AM. Choose from this fabulous list of activities:

- Victoria Smith and Jordan Ferney are teaming up to offer an intimate conversation about creating unique content and sponsored posts that work with your brand. 

- Maker extroidanaire, Courtney Cerruti from Creativebug, will be hosting a beaded jewlery station so you can create one of a kind pieces. 

Ali Lewis will be teaching how to create your own letterpress cards and you'll get to take home your finished designs. 

- If the crafting wears you out a bit, grab a relaxing hand massage provided by Joss & Main. 

- Helen Jane from Federated Media will be available to chat about Ad Networks 101: Working with an Agency, Avoiding a Bad Reputation, and Keeping up With the Trends.

- Not with an Ad Network? No problem. Liz Stanley will answer all your questions about Selling Your Own Ads 101. 

- Kristen Kennedy will teach the ins and outs of the very exciting Bing Boards and will get you started on creating your own, so you can amp up search results to your site. 

- It wouldn't be an Alt event without some photo booth action, jump in and say cheese with the set-up provided by Michael Miller Fabrics.

- Touch up your lipstick and get camera ready as CreativeBug rolls tape on ideas you have to share. 

- And talented illustrator, Lisa Congdon, will be leading a roundtable, too, all about Effective Ways for Finding a Harmonious Work/Life Balance.

Make sure to check-in early so you have plenty of time to hit-up all the activities you want before you secure a seat for the opening address.

What is Your Favorite Part About Alt?

@alt: What is your favorite part about #altsummit conferences?

By: Jenny Batt. Photos by: Justin Hackworth.

Its a busy, busy summer! First it was Alt for Everyone, then we just had Alt NYC and now Alt SF is right around the corner. Whether it is online or in person, Alt Summit conferences are one of a kind. Vote now and tell us what you like most about attending Alt, we'd love to know! Haven't been yet, that's okay, what would you look forward to the most?

Alt NYC From A Man's Perspective

By: Dave Cooper.   Photo by: Justin Hackworth

Though Alt primarily draws women and bloggers—and I'm neither—I nevertheless found the event inspiring and engaging. Being around so many talented, spirited, and entrepreneurial people was good for my creative soul. People attending Alt are bold and brave, and more than just dreamers these are people who actually follow their dreams.

Attending Alt left me feeling that if so many people can do what they love and make a living at it, we can too. 

I'm a photographer and filmmaker, and my wife produces Classic Play (classic-play.com). Attending Alt together meant that we could meet with sponsors about working on projects together. The sponsors are very motivated to talk about ideas and collaborations. Attending Alt presents you with a very unique opportunity to meet with big, medium, and small brands that really want to collaborate. I can't think of another event like it.

Alt NYC 2013 Recaps

By: Jenny Batt. Photo by: Justin Hackworth.

We love recaps! Check out our roundup below of Alt NYC recaps. If you have one and we missed it, be sure to use #altnyc on Twitter and we'll add it. Did you have too much fun and forgot to take a picture? Luckily, Justin Hackworth was out and about catching the best moments thanks to our sponsor atly. Check out all the Alt NYC photos posted on our Flickr page. If you end up using some of our images, we just ask that you mention that all photography was sponsored by atly somewhere in the post.

Ch-ch-changes help you move forward.

It was my 3rd trip to Alt and my 2nd time in the house of Martha!

The 5 best things I learned at Alt NYC.

To say it completely blew my mind, is an understatement. 

And I'll never forget how magical that evening felt.

Still processing my Alt NYC experience.

I’ve always dreamed of attending an Alt Design Summit, practically from the moment I started this blog.

We heard so many great speakers and I met oodles of fabulous people.

I walked in feeling both nervous and eager, ready to meet like minded ladies and hear their stories.

To sum up my experience, this. Yes, this is how huge my grin was for the vast majority of my journey.

Even though I felt calm, cool, and collected, there were a few things that made me get all fluttery and excited.

Set a goal. Know where you want to go and stay focused.

I tried to play it cool, but guys, I was a hot mess of glee and excitement.

Dinner was delicious. I met some amazing bloggers and hopefully made a couple new friends.

There were a million amazing speakers at the conference.

The friendships you build will become a safety net and a sounding board for you throughout your endeavors.

And how the one thing you need to get started is DESIRE!!!

Looking back, it was such a whirlwind.

From the practical to the light-hearted & everything in between, there is a lot of wisdom here!

Dinner was an excellent prelude to the conference the next day.

I went to New York City to photograph Alt Design Summit.

I left feeling inspired and with new friends.

Be very authentic.

That one time at craft camp...

We form communities to validate.

How to edge paint business cards.

Then, the party didn't stop as we headed to another room.

What Grace Bonney taught me at Alt NYC...

Alt business cards...they're kind of a big deal.

lt Summit NYC felt more like a conference, whereas Alt Summit SLC felt like a blogging retreat. - See more at: http://www.bunnyanddolly.com/what-i-learned-at-alt-summit-nyc/#sthash.CF60QZ49.dpuf

Alt Summit NYC felt more like a conference, whereas Alt Summit SLC felt like a blogging retreat. - See more at: http://www.bunnyanddolly.com/what-i-learned-at-alt-summit-nyc/#sthash.CF60QZ49.dpuf

Alt NYC felt more like a blogging conference, whereas Alt SLC felt more like a blogging retreat.

20 things I learned from Alt NYC (and some drop dead gorgeous photos.)

Alt NYC Pictures are Here!

 by: Melanie Blodgett. Photo by: Justin Hackworth

Thanks to all of you and to our sponsors, our second year in NYC was just as fabulous as we hoped it would be. We're pretty sure you're feeling the same way and want to relive some of your favorite moments. While we can't transport you back in time, our photographer was out and about every day capturing it all. See if you can spot yourself - or even Martha - in the photos now posted on our Flickr page. 

Not only are those photos fun to browse, they will make your Alt NYC blog posts shine. If you end up using some of our images, we just ask that you mention that all photography was sponsored by atly somewhere in the post. 

Have you heard of atly? It's the new site dedicated to learning and we've become instant fans. atly offers online classes taught by expert instructors in a plethora of subjects, from food styling to getting more from the opera. Each class can be taken on your own time, at your own pace and each student can receive instructor feedback. Not only can you be an atly student, they're also looking for inspiring instructors (like the Alt photographer, Justin Hackworth) to teach hobbies and skills. Learn more and look at their current classes right here.

Thanks for making Alt NYC amazing!