A Confession & The Real Magic of Alt Summit

Photo by Brooke Dennis
Credit: Brooke Dennis

I have a confession. My biggest concern and source of anxiety about going to Alt Summit last week was that the people I’d meet there would be super self-promoting, superficial, and disinterested in sincere conversation and friendship.

Boy was I wrong.

Alt Summit
Credit: Brooke Dennis | I really don’t mean to be glaring at the panelists.

I’d just read so much about the time and effort that goes into the outward displays of creativity and style. I was worried that this intense focus on how people look and what they wore and how beautiful their business cards are would discourage people from forging quality friendships that grow deep beneath the surface.

But behind the cute outfits and beyond the beautiful business cards and even inside the very grand Grand America (there’s a chandelier in every toilet stall), I met people who were willing to share their insecurities and struggles, accomplishments and joys. These were people whose beauty and spark emanated from the inside.

Alt Summit Umba
Credit: Chad Braithwaite

It’s inevitable that there’ll be quite a bit of self-promotion going on at an event like Alt. After all, that’s how a lot of people approach networking. But I went into the conference with the mindset that I was going to make friends. I was determined to be myself, and if that meant hanging out at the lobby bar alone every night because I needed a break from the hustle and intense social interaction, then so be it.

Alt Summit Green Party
Credit: Justin Hackworth

And you know what? I never had to hang out at the lobby bar by myself. Not once. I ended up spending time there with Paige, Megan, Allison, and Mere at different points throughout the week. I didn’t walk through a hallway once without recognizing a new friend like Joy, MJ, Ashley, Bobbie, or Amy, who said hello. I’ll be eternally grateful to Megan for saying hi and introducing herself when I’m sure I looked shell-shocked in the green lounge while way too many people were squeezing in to either listen to Christy Turlington’s interview or look at a fox, skunk, or parrot (Unbeknownst to me. It is safe to say I am a more than a little distressed that I missed out on a chance to cuddle a fox. Had I known, I might’ve tried to foxnap the creature & bring it home to Pennsylvania. I mean, LOOK AT IT.).

Fox at Alt Summit
Credit: Brooke Dennis

The point is, I started to feel like I really did belong in this space, and that felt pretty revolutionary for me. I met real people who I hope become real friends. To me, that’s the real magic of Alt.


Comments

25 responses to “A Confession & The Real Magic of Alt Summit”

  1. That’s so cool to hear. I thought about going to Alt but wasn’t able to this year, but in thinking of going I’ve totally had those anxieties about the conference-goers. I hope I can go in the future.

    I’m so glad you had an awesome experience, even if you didn’t get a chance to ask the fox what he says.

    1. Oh yeah… and I’m totally going to follow the bloggers you mentioned. I have them all up in my tabs now!

      1. Thanks for that, Jennifer!! xo

      2. They are all wonderful individuals as well as great bloggers! Hope you enjoy!

    2. I hope you can go in the future, too. It really is what you make it, for sure. Maybe next year we can organize a contingent from Philly…!

      1. That’d be awesome!

  2. Joy | Frock Files Avatar
    Joy | Frock Files

    I’m so glad that we met at Alt! My feelings were almost identical to yours last year, but you do find some really amazing friendships. There are so many kind people there. And I have to tell you that your name kept coming up in conversation, along with the words sweet, talented, awesome, genuine, and great. I’m so excited to keep following along with your adventures. xo

    1. ME TOO. And I’m glad to know I wasn’t alone in feeling that my first time.

      And that is really encouraging to hear. I can’t wait to see where these amazing people and relationships take us in the future!

  3. Hi Lisa! This post captured the spirit of ALT the way many of us experienced it. I too, was apprehensive about attending because I was worried it would be all about stats, popularity and profitability, but instead it was about genuine interest in developing meaningful connections, new friendships, and supporting growth in a way that is relevant to the individual blogger (at least that was my perspective). I definitely noticed you around after we met and you were always engaged in conversations with diff people, so I am so happy you had a wonderful time as well. Let’s keep each other motivated and creative! Happy to have met you!!!!

    1. Yes, let’s! And to be sure, I think there was a little of that. But if you’re genuine yourself, I think you ultimately attract that in other people. So glad we met. I’m excited to see where you’re headed!

  4. Oh, my gosh. What a sweet post! I knew I was gonna like you before Alt ever started based on the intro I heard from Paige. 🙂 I love your take on women and technology, and I can’t wait to follow your path. Go bold, girlfriend. xo, MJ Also, I wish I could do your hair, so cute.

    1. You could totally cut off your hair. I think you could rock it for sure. Thanks for the support! So glad we got to meet!

  5. I’m so happy we met at ALT! Good luck with your new position 🙂 All the best,
    Ashley

    1. Thanks, Ashley! I’m glad we met, too.

  6. Allison Johnston Avatar
    Allison Johnston

    You were a highlight of my week! This was definitely the essence of Alt and I loved it too! ps – you may have lost some cool points for posting a hideous pic of me 🙂 Gracious I look tired!

    1. You were a highlight of mine! No way, I think you look adorable.

  7. the jealous curator Avatar
    the jealous curator

    YAY!!!!! i’m so happy that you went. i’m so happy that you had an amazing time meeting amazing new people. i’m so happy that you didn’t sit at the bar alone! xoxo

    1. I’m so happy, too! Thanks, Danielle. I’m so looking forward to getting my hands on your book ASAP!

      1. the jealous curator Avatar
        the jealous curator

        oh thank you!! 17 days to go! ; )

  8. Sandra (RaincoastCreativeSalon Avatar
    Sandra (RaincoastCreativeSalon

    I went for the first time in 2012 and knew NO one. Not a single person. I’d barely been blogging (two weeks in fact!). But I made friends that I still have today two years later – It was a wonderful time.

    1. Wow! I had really been wondering what the experience is like for people who have just started (though really, I don’t consider myself to be super experienced either, just based on my inconsistency over the years). Glad to hear you made some awesome friends, too! I was hoping I’d get to meet you & Melanie this year. Hopefully another time!

  9. Chrystina Noel Avatar
    Chrystina Noel

    That’s awesome. I did the same thing with the Texas Style Council conference (which I’m sure is way smaller than Alt) last year and it was an awesome experience. Yayyyy for stepping outside of comfort zones. Definitely not always easy to do.

    1. It’s true! Not easy, but almost always worth it.

  10. So good to read this…I’m feeling very uneasy leading up to my first ALT! Happy to hear about genuine + real interactions. Can’t wait to make new friends, and finally meet “virtual” ones. Love that we’ll be representing philly together (among others)!

  11. […] didn’t feel any earth-shifting revelations like I did last year, but I did come away with a solid list of very actionable observations. Each […]

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