Tuesday 23 June 2015

BritMums Live 2015 - 10 Things I loved






So it has been 3 days since I went to BritMums Live 2015 and it has taken this entire time to actually sit and blog.

I absolutely enjoyed my time there and actually learnt a lot from the conference but saying that though it has left me with a bit of writers block.

I’m sure you’re all thinking the same: “I thought you would have mountains of ideas and have lots to write about” and this is true, I have so much to write and even apply to the blog but it is the actual sitting, writing and surmising that has left me stumped!
I thought then the best thing to do rather than giving you a round up is to give you a list of things that I loved about it.

1. The Dads
The Dad Bloggers were low in number but in some ways this was idea for me. I could spot them easily amongst the crowd; within this group though I met many of my Daddy blogging Heroes: John who is absolutely brilliant and am gutted that he didn’t win in his category. Tim who’s writing is something that I always admire but to meet him just clarified what a lovely guy he is. Ryan who, not only helped me up after a tumble, has the most magnificent beard going (complete beard envy!) Toni who I regret not spending more time with. John and Dave who kept me entertained with how funny they are. Finally, and in no means least, my good friend Al but you know of my bromance already.

2. The Sessions
I didn’t attend all the sessions that I wanted to. The majority of the ones I attended were fabulous. I especially enjoyed turning Pitches into Profits, Your Childs digital footprint and How to Market yourself and your writing (The latter by The Creative Penn was my favourite) I took so much away from these and I am hoping that I can go through them with you soon.

3. Friends
Well everyone knows that I am close with AllyMichaela and Al so seeing these guys again, even if it was brief in places, was fantastic. It’s difficult to spend as much time as you can with these guys whilst you’re there but it was definitely enjoyable.

4. Nandos
Well somewhere along the lines of booking BritMums and talking to bloggers that were going I collected around 12 other bloggers who were a bit lost as to what to do food wise after the BIB awards. So I managed to convince Nandos, Lime Street,, to sponsor all of our meals. I was chuffed with this for the fact that I had managed to organise it and sit and talk to some of my favourite Bloggers like Sarah, Emily, Kirsty, ToniCathryn and Michelle

5. Celebrities
Now for those who went I am sure the first thought would be of people like Caprice or Carol Smilie but in this case you’re wrong; I am in fact talking just about other bloggers. There was this moment when you see people who you know write some of your favourite blogs and excitement takes over you. I had this when meeting VickyAmy, Lucy, Lisa, Louise and Charlene (as well as many that I have mentioned already in this post)

6. Kind Support


I loved how supportive everyone was for me. I have had quite a few Bloggers kindly message me saying how pleased they were to meet me but a couple within it saying that they respect me even more now they have met and solely for my health problems. Now, I know that I have never hidden the fact that I am disabled but I think sometimes it’s difficult for people to see through my writing and especially when you consider how active I am with the boys. Yet, from this I had lovely bloggers offer to carry my bag, people helping me up when I stumbled, people walking slower to keep me company like the lovely Andrea and Vicki and then just general support; it was lovely to feel so accepted.

7. The Brands
Now, I don’t know what everyone else’s experiences were like with the Brand, especially what the Dads thought, but I wasn’t overly keen on the Hub and the Brands. For me they seemed aimed a lot more at younger children than the age of my two but I can understand why this would be the case. I also felt that some of the brands were keen on talking more to the Mums than Dads. However, there has risen 2 possible opportunities from talking to some so I will be excited to see where that goes.

8. Laughs



Between alcohol consumption (My word these ladies can drink!) me manoeuvring around or in and out or taxis and even just through general talking I don’t think I have actually laughed as much as I have this weekend.

9. The Fun
On arrival and the opening talk we took part in a Guiness World Record Attempt by seeing how many people could be wrapped up as Mummies with toilet paper in a given time. I, being the shortest and therefore the quickest to wrap up, ended up being touched up and grabbed. (Not, a bad start to the event)

10.  Relationships
Ultimately between all of the above listed people I have come away having spoken to and bonded with a lot more people than I expected and I hope this strengthens us until next year.


Sorry if I have missed any one out! There were so many people that it's difficult to remember them all. Tried to do ad many as people though!


A Cornish Mum

30 comments:

Debs @ Super Busy Mum said...

What a great round up post of your time at Britmums Live. It was so lovely to meet you and hopefully we can chat more next year!! ^_^

Lisa (mummascribbles) said...

Ahhh Martyn...I can't believe you have put me under the celebrity section! Seriously I am absolutely honored and chuffed to be mentioned and it was so lovely to meet you :)So glad you enjoyed it - it was amazing, overwhelming, all sorts of things! Hope to see you again next year! I am still in the middle of writing my post hehe! xx

Rachel said...

I didn't even realise you were a blogger when I held the door open for you at the Travelodge, I am so sorry for not saying hello. You should have said oi I'm here for Britmums too. If you go next year I will make a point of saying hello to you and I do apologise x

Unknown said...

Fab post. It was so lovely to meet you and the rest of the Nando's gang. It was just a shame I didn't get longer to chat to you - or anyone for that matter - as it was such a hectic couple of days. I am looking forward to next year already!

Hannah said...

Ah see you did get something out! Great to hear what you've gotten out of this and how many people you met that made a positive impact on you :)

Unknown said...

Great round up - I know what you mean though, my round up is a bit shambolic really I just had to get the words out! I now know who you are and I was not aware of your blog before. I'm really sorry not for having said hi when we were all sitting around with Tim at the very beginning of Friday in All Bar One but it's hard when you're a bit of an introvert and you don't recognise people! I think myself and Fiona just honed in on Tim because we knew he would be very kind and he knew who we were!! :-) I think for your part, it seems like you really had a great time and I agree, the Creative Penn session was very interesting (although I was sitting on the floor and pretty much missed seeing anything of her or the slides!)

Unknown said...

It was nice to meet you mate and sounds like you got a lot out of attending :)

Anonymous said...

Aw it was fab to meet you in person! just sorry i didnt get to spend more time with you over the weekend but hopefully we will meet at other events in the near future?

Unknown said...

Lovely round up and I wish I could have come and met you too! And had some brownies.....

Ashley Beolens said...

I'm getting so jealous of all these post Brit mums posts, so wish I had been there looks great fun, and so informative, oh well, next year.

Unknown said...

It was so great to meet you Martyn! Thanks again for all the chats and advice. I do totally admire you for coming out as well, despite you being a bit slower. Lots love and hope to see you soon xx

Kim Carberry said...

Fab post! It sounds like you had such a great time...

Moderate Mum said...

Thank you so much for the shout out! As you could probably tell from the shrieking I was super excited to meet you. You're so right about the brands, I hadn't really noticed because my son is younger but I think the brands are missing a trick there!

John (@Dadyougeek) said...

Love this mate!!! Great right up and it was good to see you again...even If I did forget about you sitting on the floor... thank god for technology though!

Ickle Pickle said...

I'll forgive you for not mentioning me in your Nandos bit ;) it was a great meal though, thanks again for organising. Kaz :)

Unknown said...

I really must go next year!!! Although I'm a bit nervous about being turned purple....did you all go purple?

Becster said...

Sounds like you had a fab time! And how awesome are you to be able to get Nandos to sponsor your meals! I think this Britmums is something I ought to look into for next year!

Stevie - A Cornish Mum said...

Thanks for linking up to #TenThings again Mr K! I am so gutted to have not come to Britmums, and despite all the winding up we both do of each other, I would have loved to have met you!! Hoping for next year! So glad you had a fab time though even if I am sooo jealous still ;)

Stevie x

Entertaining Elliot & Erin said...

I have loved reading all these Brit Mums posts, I'm so envious because it sounds like a great weekend! I will definitely be there next year! #tenthings

Martyn Kitney said...

You too Debbie. Definitely find more time next year!!

Martyn Kitney said...

Of course. Love your blog and always look at it ad Obe I want to copy. So you're a celebrity in my eyes. Hopefully see you next year and get more time to chat to you.

Martyn Kitney said...

Haha that's ok. I'm not really an oi person lol there was so many people there that it's difficult to say hello to everyone anyway. Great! Will look forward to say hi again next year!

Martyn Kitney said...

It was so busy and intense that it's difficult to talk to everyone! But was pleased to actually meet you!

Martyn Kitney said...

Yeah I did eventually. It was fab I'm just tired lol. But it definitely was a positive experience!!

Anonymous said...

Looks like so much fun!I watched as Twitter went bonkers for it and really wished I as there!Lovely post x #tenthings

Martyn Kitney said...

It's tough isn't it! It's fine, I'm the same and hence why I didn't say hello. Maybe next year!

Unknown said...

Sounds amazing, how great to meet all bloggers together and have so much fun! Jealous! I hope one year to make it x

Unknown said...

Martyn, a belated hello here! We sat on the same table at the beginning and I didn't get round to talking to you. My bad - no good reasons, I was probably too busy wittering on about all sorts of random tut. Actually, you probably had a lucky escape.

Glad that you had a positive experience at Britmums, for the most part. I had a good - considering other blogging conferences now. Might need to get a credit card.

#TenThings

Anonymous said...

Great summary of a fan two days. It was an absolute pleasure to spend time with you, Martyn - and I look forward to us getting together again sooner rather than later. :-)

Trials and tribulations of a Brummie mummy said...

Lovely post, I've always been too scared to go the Britmums it's slightly out of my comfort zone.