By day, Chrystina Cappello works as a construction consultant.
Blogging has always been about building community for me, Cappello says.
No Interest Til Almost 2027?
Chrystina Cappello, second from left, and her Blog Connect team at the 2018 conference in Philadelphia. From left: Sarah Ramirez, Cappello, Annsley Lucas, Priyanka Setty and Melissa Funtanilla. Photo by Julia Dent
My mind was blown, Cappello remembers.
Where were all of these people in Philadelphia?
Cappello took matters into her own hands.
Cappello was shocked when every single person responded yes.
The first unofficial PHLbloggers meeting took place in August 2014.
We later moved to Facebook and a MailChimp email list.
The group offers monthly work sessions at Philadelphia cafes.
Instead, bloggers looking to meet fellow bloggers typically find the group on their own.
The purpose is to provide an in-real-life opportunity for bloggers to meet up.
Our goal is to get people in the same room, Cappello says.
We dont give a shot to recruit members.
If you are seeking community, you will find us.
Cappello says almost the entire speaker lineup for the 2016 conference came directly from that initial email.
Forty-five bloggers attended the inaugural conference.
Now, The Blog Connect runs like a well-oiled machine.
The planning process begins as soon as the last conference ends.
Ive learned about cash flow, tracking expenses and putting aside money for taxes, Cappello says.
Cappello says her day job in construction management has helped her in planning and executing a successful conference.
Cappello says the entire conference cost about $2,000 in its first year.
PHLbloggers wasnt yet an LLC, and Cappello fronted her own money to help pay for the event.
In 2017, the conference grew to nearly 80 attendees and cost about $6,000.
The 2018 conference, at the end of April, was the first to turn a profit.
It cost about $5,700 and generated $7,800 in revenue, Cappello says.
About 65 people attended.
The purpose is connection, Cappello says.
Cappello says she is grateful for her dedicated team.
Its great to be innovative because theres not anything tying us down.
Its an interesting balance, Cappello says.
Do You Have What it Takes to Plan an Event?
Cappello says there are four skills required to plan a successful event like The Blog Connect.
Oh, and Cappello also advises would-be conference planners to never let their attendees go hungry.
Its the worst to be hungry at a conference, she says.
It doesnt need to be complicated.
When I introduce people to each other and I see connections being made, I feel giddy.
I love seeing the relationships that have come out of PHLbloggers and the conference, she says.
I get so much genuine joy out of watching people be able to dream bigger.
Shes a proud member of PHLbloggers and spoke on a panel at the 2018 event.
