Last weekend I attended Traverse; a conference for travel bloggers organised by Traverse Events. This year #Traverse16 took place at Cardiff City Stadium – Cardiff, Wales.
This was my first time at Traverse. In fact this was my first time to a blogging event… and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I could talk to you all about my experience, but I’m sure you are more interested in the important parts, so I have created a list of 10 reasons why you should attend Traverse next year!
#1 Location
Every year Traverse is held in a different location in the UK. This year Traverse was held in the beautiful city of Wales; Cardiff. The fact that this event is held in a different city every year is a perfect opportunity for bloggers to visit other parts of the UK which you don’t get to visit very often or might have not visited at all before. Having them in different location also means that it’s still an exciting and a new experience for those bloggers who attend every year.
#2 Brands
Every year Traverse works with various sponsors. For example this year; Expedia, Cathay Pacific, iloveny.com, Sky Scanner, Costa Brava Pirineu de Dirona, icelolly.com all attended the event. This is a fantastic opportunity for travel bloggers to network with the companies – get to know what the companies do, how they work with bloggers and discuss any collaboration opportunities. This year bloggers were given the opportunity to sign up for a one-to-one session with the companies of their choice – which I would highly recommend!
#3 Competitions
Sponsors who showcase their brands at Traverse run various campaigns for the bloggers during the event. Everyone is welcome to enter them – just make sure to check the T&Cs carefully. This years bloggers were spoilt for choice! Competitions varied from taking photographs at the company’s stand then tweeting them, to more complex such as having to find clues around the venue and sending in your answers via social media.
Personally, I would strongly recommend every blogger who attends this event to enter these competitions. I mean, what travel blogger wouldn’t want to win a free holiday to some exotic destination for a week or so, Ay?
#4 Freebies
Every bloggers loves a freebie whether it’s a booklet, food product or something more interesting such as cute cuddly toy. This year the goody bags were provided by Visit Wales, which included things such as booklets about Wales, Wales map, Welsh cakes, bookmarks, mini bottle of Welsh whiskey and Halen Mon natural anglesey sea salt box.
#5 Sessions & Workshops
So far so good, right? But let’s pause for a minute with all these fun and games, because Traverse also provides one full day of sessions and workshops. Professional speakers and bloggers are invited to the event to share their experiences and tips about blogging. Bloggers can attend any sessions or workshops which they feel are mostly appropriate/important to them, whether it’s about becoming a full time blogger, to taking the perfect photographs and videos for your blog.
#6 Food
If you’re a foodie, this is 100% an event for you! This year, Traverse provided bloggers with four vouchers on the Friday evening party at Depot. Every blogger is entitled to a starter, main, dessert and a drink from various food stalls at the venue.
If you think that isn’t enough, then on the Saturday, all day catering is provided during the event. Tea and coffee is available throughout the whole conference, and lunch is served at midday.
And to top it off, this year bloggers were able to WIN alcohol during the closing panel by tweeting in a question. I mean it doesn’t get any better than this!?
#7 All welcome
I know many bloggers say that the blogging community is very friendly and everyone looks out for one another, and this really is the case when you attend Traverse. No matter whether you’re attending as a group or alone, you are guaranteed to make new friends during the weekend. The part that I love about this event so much is that all ages are welcome, whether your a student, parent, or even elderly. As well as that, all bloggers are welcome, no matter whether you’re a well established blogger or a complete newbie (like me). The Saturday conference is geared towards all bloggers, and everyone learns from one another.
#8 Sunday Experience
Sunday Experience is a great way for bloggers to relax after such busy weekend full of conferences, workshops and networking with others. Traverse sure do spoil bloggers with choice when it comes to choosing your experience! You can choose from 22 experiences, which vary from a Castle tour, to afternoon tea, to something more extreme such as whitewater rafting! Some experiences are more popular than others, so make sure to sign up beforehand. I couldn’t think of a better way to finish the weekend than spend more quality time with your new fellow bloggers friends doing something you all enjoy.
#9 Networking
Most importantly… NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES. I cannot emphasise enough what a great opportunity Traverse provides us bloggers to network with one another. Not only do you get a venue where all bloggers can meet and socialise across all three days, but also get to network with amazing sponsors and speakers.
#10 Price
This point slightly summarises everything I’ve said in the previous 9 points, but Traverse really do provided exceptional value for money! This year the blogging ticket cost £58.00. This price included everything that I have mentioned above:
– Friday night party at the Depot – included three course meal, drink and live music.
– A coach transfer from central Cardiff to the venue there and back.
– Tea/Coffee all day during the conference on Saturday + lunch.
– Wonderful sessions and workshops from a range of speakers and professional.
– One-to-one session with sponsor companies.
– A VIP Saturday night after party at Revs.
– Goody bag – Sponsored by Visit Wales.
– Sunday Experiences Over 22 experiences to choose from.
If you’ve read all of the above and still aren’t convinced that Traverse will really ensure you get your money’s worth, then head over to my Instagram account where you can see everything I did during the weekend and how much fun it was!