When I found out that FinCon14 was going to be held in New Orleans I had mixed feelings about it being there. Don’t get me wrong, I was super excited about going to a new city, but I still remember the day that Hurricane Katrina hit and I had friends calling me from all over the world asking me “How could this happen in America?”
I was ill-equipped to answer that question as I’ve spent very little time in the South, have no intimate knowledge of the socio-economic issues that created the debacle of that day. I just knew that I wanted to view New Orleans in a way that was fair to the city and the people who live there.
When I travel around the United States and the world I bring my identity with me: Westerner, accidental hipster, aspiring millionaire, and person of color. As I look through my prescription glasses these are the lenses that I see the world with. Despite all of my concerns and preconceived notions I will say that New Orleans exceeded my expectations.
I arrived on a Wednesday, a bit shell-shocked with the after effects of the flu, a cold, then that day I developed a migraine. I felt off my game. But, it didn’t matter because I was with my people: lovers of finance, embracers of personal growth, and exuberantly unapologetic about having fun.
Slowly, I started seeing people that I had met before or had followed their blog. I didn’t want to become all weird and fangirly but I WANTED TO SO BADLY!!
Instead, I played it cool.
Fast forward to the next day-still feeling off my game but I had decided to go to the Swamp and explore with a group of people almost all new to me. It was AWESOME-except for the crazy heat…that kind of sucked.
And, I got to hold a baby alligator. An item on my bucket list.
The next day (Friday) FinCon14 began. Unlike the first two times that I attended: Denver and St. Louis, this time I felt like I had finally hit my stride. Like I was finally a legitimate participant in this amazing realm of personal finance and that I had finally earned my stripes.
My days were planned out but there was no way I could attend every session that I wanted to attend so I just went with the flow. My goal was not only to learn and think about new skills, but to reconnect with old friends, and to connect with bloggers new to me.
Game on.
During the next 4 days I met incredible bloggers, explored the hot, raw and fascinating city of New Orleans and fed off the energy of the movers and shakers around me.
I left New Orleans feeling that I didn’t have enough time. I didn’t have enough time to hang with my people, I didn’t have enough time to go to all of the sessions I wanted to go to, didn’t have enough time to go to every session I wanted to go to, and I didn’t have enough time in NOLA.
I met too many people to list and I will list a small sampling of the wonderful people that helped inspire, energize, and motivate me for the next year.
If you are considering going to a conference or taking advantage of a professional development opportunity I strongly encourage you to GO! Grow beyond the walls of the building that you work in, learn new ideas, network, and realize that there are tons of opportunities in the big, bad world for you.
Even though I spent a little more than I intended, I felt the experience was priceless.
Some people that I met include the following:
Michelle, Michelle, Michelle, Melanie, Mr. and Mrs. 1500, Leah, Athena, Jason (Steele), Eric, Mr. Money Mustache, Kate, Kassandra, Maria, Stefanie, Romeo and LaTisha! Kylie (my mentor!), Tonya, Jessica, and That Finance Chic just to name a few!
If your name wasn’t listed-I haven’t forgotten the impact you made on me-the list was getting too long 🙂
CONFERENCE SWAG SHOWN BELOW
3 t-shirts
bling, bling ring
2 books
1 Starbucks Card
Old Bay Seasoning 🙂
6 Free Meals! (including one at NOLA Emeril Lagasse’s restaurant)
A Trolley tour of New Orleans
Broken Eggs Film on a flash drive
I already have my pass for FinCon15
Cities I’m Rooting For Include:
Portland
Austin
Miami
Memphis or Nashville
San Diego
Did you go to FinCon? How Was Your Experience? Did You Go To Other Conferences? What City Do You Want FinCon15 to Be In?
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Loved “I didn’t want to become all weird and fangirly but I WANTED TO SO BADLY!!” That would be me!! Great photos! The swamp tour looks so cool. I love reading all the FinCon posts. I’m getting a good sense of what to look forward to. Too bad you were so sick, but sounds like you plowed through.
I felt a lot better towards the end of the conference! I just had to make it work.
You need some east coast in cities you’re rooting for! haha The conference far exceeded my expectations but I have to admit that NOLA itself was a bit of a letdown for me. I think I had just heard way too much hype.
I felt like NOLA has a lot of layers to it. I have to admit that I had a certain degree of negative associations, ideas about the city so I was going in with very low expectations concerning a few things. I love the East Coast but I think it’s too expensive for a conference-maybe Charlotte? I want to go somewhere that I haven’t visited before (even though I’ve been to Miami)
I wouldn’t mind visiting Nashville or Memphis for FinCon15. Like you, I got a lot out of attending FinCon this year even though my stay was very short. That’s why I didn’t hesitate on buying the early pass when it came out.
Each year I’ve gone I’ve gotten something completely different out of it. I really enjoyed it this year and also bought the early pass. Now, I just need to cut the hotel cost down. Once we find out what city I will be able to figure out a plan.
Even though SD would be closer I think Austin or Nashville would be great. Glad you had such a great time!
I am in love with San Diego! But, I think it might be too expensive for FinCon to host it there. I would love Austin or Nashville as I’ve never been to either one.
Fun!!! Glad you had a great time! Wish I could have been there. Next year for sure!
It was a great time and I learned a lot. Hope to see you there next year!
Hi, Michelle! I love all your posts about FinCon, it seems that you really had a great time in there guys.
It was a lot of fun and worth every cent! I am looking at what hotel we will be at so that I can work some points and save on accommodation. Crossing my fingers.
Babygator! Jealous!
Sounds like you had a great time, awesome! Can’t imagine how fun it must be to meet the faces behind so many blogs.
I can’t explain how excited I was to hold the baby gator. It was awesome!
I totally had to stop myself from fangirling at times, too. I loved your slideshows! I also felt like I didn’t have enough time while I was there. I would like to get there a day or two ahead of time with some other people next year. Thinking about doing camp.
I’d love for it to be in Charlotte since that’s where I’m at (and it’s a pretty low-key city), but I’m welcoming any excuse to travel and see new places. =)
I am very seriously thinking about camp. I already have my ticket and can upgrade it later. I just have to see where we will be, etc.etc. There are people that I’ve met before and I still nerd out on them. It’s really embarrassing!
If the next one is in Nashville I’m there! Loved that city!
HS
I am really leaning towards: Austin, Nashville, Portland, San Diego, or Miami tehe. My feeling is that Nashville would be the best in between for a lot of people in terms of cost and travel time. I have a ton of relatives that I haven’t met who live in Nashville so I would arrive early to meet them.