ShiftCon: A Blogging Conference for Eco-Wellness Influencers

Do you have trouble finding brands you’d work with at other blogger conferences? Do you prefer wellness, organic & natural brands? And what about your passions? Do other blogger conferences address things like the food supply, health, climate change and carcinogens in food, water, air & consumer products?  ShiftCon Social Media Conference was created to support bloggers and other social media influencers that care about wellness, the environment and everything in between. We are the type of people who really care about all these things and it’ nice to be surrounded by others who feel the same way and know how to promote our ideals. We care about rising cancer, Autism, allergy, autoimmune and infertility rates. We care that our planet is being destroyed. We are vocal about labeling GMOs. Does this sound like you? Then this conference is for you!

ShiftCon isn’t just a conference, it’s a community with a story.

It all started years ago in 2012 when California had a ballot initiative to label GMOs. I volunteered to help the campaign organize bloggers and other social media influencers after becoming very concerned and impassioned about GMOs. I own the Bookieboo Network which is comprised of about 10,000 bloggers who cover lifestyle, parenting, food, wellness & green topics. I used our network to organize over 650 bloggers across the United States & Canada to ask their audiences, “do you have a right to know?” We ended up creating over 600 million impressions in two short months with blog posts, Twitter parties, Facebook parties, Google hangouts, Pinterest parties, and more. And as I was organizing, one thing became very apparent–it wasn’t easy to find everyone. There wasn’t one place or one leader I could go to to access ALL social media influencers in the green movement.  I didn’t have all of them in my network at the time either. The entire eco-wellness blogger community was fragmented into different tribes. And there wasn’t a blogger conference for green bloggers either.

Months later at BlogHer, I was chatting with colleagues and one of them turned to me and said “So Leah, when are you going to organize the green blogger conference we so desperately need?” And I said “Um… I wasn’t volunteering.” Honestly, I was honored by the idea and nomination but I had no idea if it was feasible. So I realized, I had to look into it. But I knew this conference couldn’t be like all the other blogger conferences out there. Not only does this group have some very strong beliefs, but all sponsorship and implementation of logistics had to mirror those values. For instance, we needed a menu free from genetically engineered ingredients, including alcohol. We couldn’t allow any sponsors to partner to promote food products containing genetically engineered ingredients OR any toxic ingredients for personal care & such. We also needed to have less plastic, cut down less trees via paper usage, and utilize more local businesses and farms to cut down on petroleum usage.  All of this is very challenging in implementation. So after I looked at all the numbers, I almost had a heart attack, but realized it was doable. The outcome? ShiftCon 2014 was seamless, exciting and an absolute hit!  We sold out of tickets and then made more room and then sold out again. The eco-wellness blogger movement came out in support and so did the brands. This year, we are doing it again and growing a bit more.

Details about ShiftCon Social Media Conference 2015

Website: ShiftCon Social Media Conference 2015
Date: September 24th-26th
Location: Marriott in Manhattan Beach

Keynotes: Gary Hirshberg of Stonyfield & Just Label It, Anna Lappe of Small Planet Institute, Gunnar Lovelace of Thrive Market, Robyn O’Brien of Allergy Kids & Jenny McGruther of NourishedKitchen.com
Blogger Passes: Only $249 after by clicking here ($100 savings)
Blogger Passes Include: 2 keynote breakfasts, 24 workshops & panels, 2 networking receptions with cocktails & food, 1 amazing dance party on Saturday night with cocktails & food, 3 bags FULL of product, admittance to an expo with over 50 vendors, special hospitality rooms serving food & alcohol after hours, featured snacks during the day, two fitness events: yoga class & a 5K, welcome packages sent to your home by our sponsors, and some surprises in your hotel room.

ShiftCon offers bloggers and other influencers a collaborative environment of networking, learning, and the opportunity to work with brands they believe in. Industry experts will host educational workshops regarding social media best practices to grow your audience, food safety information, GMO labeling updates, organic food production, sustainability, treatment of animals, the latest health tips from professionals, and the environment. Through networking events, hospitality suites, and an Expo, attendees also have opportunities to learn about products, sustainability initiatives, and meet with companies and nonprofits that are helping to create a healthier, more sustainable world.

Would you like to join us? Blogger tickets are on sale till Wednesday, July 22nd for $100 off admission. NGO or Business passes are not on sale.

Who’s speaking at ShiftCon? Check out the speaker list here.

Curious about the hotel? Check out the location here and reserve your spot!

Want to know what the agenda will look like? Look to our agenda here. It’s a work in progress and will be updated constantly.

Hope to see you all there!