Garden Bloggers to take over Buffalo...
This week, Elizabeth Licata (of Garden Rant, Gardening While Intoxicated, editor Buffalo Spree magazine) and I invited hundreds of garden bloggers to Buffalo -- two weeks before Garden Walk Buffalo. So far we have responses from 55 bloggers from 22 states and two countries. And this is just a week after the announcement. My god, what have we done?
Austin, Texas 2008 This is the third meet-up of garden bloggers nationally. Last meetings were in Austin and Chicago. Many of the bloggers are professional writers, some are professional landscapers, some have written books, have radio shows, newspaper columns or TV shows, some are horticulturalists, some are nursery professionals, most are just avid plant/garden fans. Everyone has in common a penchant for writing, photography, social media, technology and -- come to find out -- eating, drinking and peeking at other people's gardens.
We're expecting upwards of 55 bloggers to ultimately visit Buffalo on Thursday, July 9 through Sunday, July 11. Embassy Suites in the new Avant Building is offering a special rate for those that reserve before April 30. We'll get a bus to take the group around. We've got a very preliminary itinerary set up (subject to changes and additions). We even have a major sponsor (Troy-Bilt) and some in-kind sponsors for door prizes & goodie bags. If you think you can be a sponsor, or have items good for door prizes or goodie bags (50+), please let me know.
Chicago, 2009We've set up a website for the any garden blogger interested in coming. Please visit Garden Bloggers Buffa10. You can see the rough itinerary and a list of the bloggers that have committed to visiting.
The benefit to all this, other than showing off Buffalo at its best? There will be, potentially, hundreds of blog posts, starting that weekend, up to Garden Walk on July 24 & 25, creating an internet buzz like no event in Buffalo has ever seen.
Very cool! Congratulation. I consider myself a very amature blogger, but you've got my attention and if I wasn't at such an unstable point in my life (I looking for a job and ready to move at the drop of a hat.) I would reserve my room and start dreaming of Texas! Heck, maybe I still will.
ReplyDeleteI really do hope to come to this one, but with the airlines and security having lost their minds, I'll probably be driving, if I can make it all work. Maybe tourism Buffalo has some incentive for a professional writer to come visit. One never knows.
ReplyDeleteThis promises to be quite an event, Jim! Thanks for the all the work that has already gone into this. You have answered a big question here about transportation. We were wondering if a rental car would be needed. Looks like no, which is a very good thing. Can't wait to find out more as it becomes available on the new site and blog. :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
Foy,
ReplyDeleteWe'd love to have you and show off Buffalo at its best.
jodi,
Good question about additional incentives for professional writers - I may have to bring that up at my next meeting with the Convention & Visitors Bureau. I know they have a thorough vetting procedure for justifying the expense of bringing in pro writers. I'll inquire.
Fairegarden,
If you were to stay Sunday through Monday, and there's still some touring you would like to do -- like going to Canada, visiting some galleries or the Wright Houses, a car might make more sense then. But otherwise, Elizabeth is looking into the cost of a good touring bus for all the group events.
An exciting post, Jim, about what promises to be a very fun event with everyone in Buffalo. Can't wait, and will be posting myself about it this afternoon.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...maybe while they're here, they'd like to do an Extreme Garden Makover... in my yard????
ReplyDeleteThis is so exciting Jim! I can't wait to see everyone, see the city and tour the gardens~~I do hope to get to Niagara falls. Thanks for all the hard work you and Elizabeth have done. gail
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the hard work, Jim. I think the incentive for 'professional' writers is selling their stories, no? That's what I'm a-doing. Otherwise is pure bribery :-)
ReplyDeleteGail,
ReplyDeleteIt'll be nice to see you again. If you came early, there's be time to visit the Falls on Thursday, before we convene at Elizabeth's for dinner. We've also purposely planned nothing for Sunday after lunchtime, so if you're staying until Monday, you can spend Sunday afternoon at the Falls.
Marie,
Bribery? We prefer to think of it as trying to make a writer's life easier. I know our Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) does, on occasion, help bring writers into town. I know for a fact they have to already have an assignment, and the publication & writer have to be vetted by the CVB. It's not always travel & lodging, but sometimes just a nice meal with key interview subjects or a guided tour. I may see if they can chip in something towards our bus for the weekend!
Pam,
ReplyDeleteI believe can attribute the spike in my hits today can be attributed to your link! Thanks.
Al,
Your garden doesn't need a makeover, it needs an intervention.
Hey Jim,
ReplyDeleteLooks like Buffa10 is going to be even bigger and better than 09. Is that possible? Let's talk.
kmoore@taunton.com
Cheers,
Kerry Ann
I read full and got informational things in this blogBuffalo Best Landscapers
ReplyDelete