My First Alt Summit

I’ll admit, I was pretty nervous to attend Alt. I’m shy and I was not going to know anyone! Sure, I had a few online buddies, but I didn’t have any real life friends that would be there. I was not sure what to expect, but I knew I had to break out of my comfort zone and go for it! The first night Kristiina (Salt Lake City local) was nice enough to pick me up for our dinner with Honest. This was a huge relief since I hadn’t figured out the SLC Trax system quite yet (and cabs were near impossible to come by). The girls from Honest and everyone at the dinner were SO nice, I was already feeling more comfortable on the West coast! Since I got my ticket pretty late, Mariah invited me to stay in her room. It was really great to have a buddy to walk in with on the first day because the Grand America is pretty intimidating. It is the nicest place I have ever stepped foot into. After finding my way around and talking to a few people during the first session, I was again, amazed at how nice and welcoming everyone was! Whether they were a speaker, a blogger with a huge following, had been attending Alt since the beginning or this was their first year, everyone was nice! I met a ton of awesome people, I learned a lot from the panels and design camps, the sponsor lounges and parties were magical, Stefan Sagmeister‘s keynote, wow! It was overwhelming, exhausting and amazing all at the same time and I’m still not sure I can find the words to do this experience justice!

I also want to take a minute to give a HUGE thanks to everyone who helped to make my first trip to Alt Summit possible! Bing, Passionfruit Ads, Ashley Duffy, Barbara Dallen, Bridgette Rutz, Chelsea Commander, Gabrielle Cyr, Jason Graham, Kara DeMichele, Karl Holzenthal, Katie Pendergrass, Linda Kocher, Mary Ann Cardinale, Megan Pendergrass, Mindy, Rachael Dauro and Robyn. Also, my boyfriend who had to deal with me being a total stress ball for the month before, my sister for dealing with me asking her one million times “what should I wear” and my parents for helping me with my business cards the morning of my flight (the ones I ordered never arrived)! And thanks to everyone at Alt for being so nice!

Since one of my favorite parts of Alt was meeting new people, and they had photobooths galore, I’m going to share some fun photos with new friends! I can call Stefan Sagmeister a friend now, right?!

Photos: The Great Gatsby Lawn Party sponsored by Hayneedle, Clue Party photo by Brooke Dennis sponsored by Joss & Main, Mariah and I in The Land of Nod lounge, Blurb Class Reunion photo by by McKenzie Thompson, Stefan Sagmeister and I talking, Melissa and I, Caytlyn and I in the Method Home, The Girls With Glasses party Smilebooth