I had the opportunity to attend MommyCon Chicago 2015 as a “Sisterhood Journalist.” It was my first time attending MommyCon and my first time covering a live event as a blogger! I came equipped with my baby and my selfie stick as I embarked on my MommyCon adventure.
Here’s my guide to MommyCon, with a little help from my Instagram posts from the event:
Get Your Ticket
…and get it right away! MommyCon Chicago was all SOLD OUT this year, so it probably will be a hot ticket for other cities as well. For a list of MommyCon cities and dates, click here. Presale tickets are $30. General Admission is $40 and you can get $5 off with promo code MOMMYAZ15. It’s worth it because you get that money back from all the products in the gift bag. GIFT BAG?! Yes, more on that later!
After you purchase your ticket online, all you have to do is go to the registration desk at the event with your ID and email address. Then, you’ll be given a badge that will serve as entry into the conference, your pass to get your gift bag, and your raffle number to win some prizes.
Here’s Alyssa sporting our “Media” badge:
*Insider tip: Every General Admission and VIP ticket holder gets a gift bag and entry to win the giveaway prizes at the end. If you bring your significant other along, then that’s double the gift bags and double the chances of winning!
Pack Lightly
It’s great that you get to bring your baby to the conference, but strollers are not recommended since it gets pretty crowded. I suggest wearing your baby in a wrap or carrier and using a backpack to carry all your stuff. You’ll definitely have your hands full as you start to aquire goodies at the event.
*Insider tip: Some vendors provide reusable shopping bags that you can use to haul your goods.
Learn Something
Review the MommyCon schedule and plan out which sessions you want to attend. They offer interactive sessions on cloth diapering, babywearing, breastfeeding, and other fun natural parenting classes. The line-up of speakers and classes is usually posted on the MommyCon website within 30 days of the event.
*Insider tip: Set the alarm on your phone to remind you when sessions are about to begin. Get there early and sit towards the front. Some speakers throw products out to the audience and usually the people in the front grab them first!
Set a Budget
Before the event, review the exhibitor list and make note of the ones you want to check out. Give yourself a budget on how much you plan on spending on things like cloth diapers, wraps, breastfeeding products, safety gear, teething soothers…There are so many amazing products and exclusive items, that it can be easy to get carried away with MommyCon purchases.
I knew for sure I wanted to hit up Chompy Chic Chewerly to get a matching set for my Tula. I even got to meet founder and owner Sonia who helped me pick out a Petite Elephant Silicone Teether Necklace.
*Insider tip: Most of the vendors offer discounts if you make a purchase at MommyCon. They might even offer a promo code if you want to shop online after the event!
Visit the Babywearing Lounge
The sessions were super informative, but one of my favorite spots was the Baby Wearing Lounge where you can try on different brands of wraps and carriers. It’s like a giant fitting room for babywearing! They had experts standing by to help navigate through the different types of carriers and what might work best for you.
Make Some Friends
This is a great opportunity to meet owners of some of your favorite brands, boutiques, and bloggers. I learned about cloth diapering from the co-owners of AppleCheeks and even got branded with an AppleCheeks tattoo! I bought my two first pairs of the sweetest cloth diapers.
I also met the founder of Baby Jack and Co. sensory tag blankets and was super inspired by the story and amazing quality behind the sensory tag blankets.
I attended the event by myself, but I met some awesome mommas. At lunch, I sat at a table full of new and expecting parents and we exchanged birth stories. And all throughout the event, I took selfies with my fellow Tula mommas. Ca-caw!
Don’t forget to rest
This event was way too exciting and overstimulating for both my baby and me. Fortunately, there was a breastfeeding lounge, changing stations, and quiet rooms for much needed downtime. There were also huge water pitchers everywhere so us mommies could stay hydrated.
*Insider tip: Don’t stress if you forget the diapers. There are complimentary diapers and wipes available at the baby changing station.
Get your goods
Stay until the very end because that’s when they do the big giveaways – car seats, cribs, wraps, bouncers, diapers, breastfeeding supplies. You must be present to win. I was hopeful, but I did not win. Womp, womp, womp.
Who wants to win some prizes?!?!It’s #giveaway time at #mommycon #MommyConChicago #MCSceneReporter A photo posted by Gracielle (@mommya_z) on
I did, however, get a gift bag! Everyone gets a gift bag! You get a gift bag! And you! And you! (a la Oprah circa 2004 )
Here’s what was included (Note: All items in the gift bags may vary):
- Grovia hybrid cloth diapering trial pack
- Crane Belly Glo Night Light
- Crane Organic Lip Balm
- Nursng Happens Infinity Breastfeeding Scarf
- Babyganics Lotion
- Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Nipple Butter
- Baby Comfy Nose Nasal Aspirator
- Munchkin Diaper Bag Dispenser
- Munchkin Deluxe Fresh Food Feeder
- The Windii
- Bumb Genius Wetbag
Here are the freebees I got from visiting the exhibitors:
- Kiinde Twist Breastmilk Storage Set
- Evenflo nursing pads
- Planet Wise reusable food storage bag
Here are some of the awesome products that I will be doing a review on soon:
- AppleCheeks Cloth Diapers
- Baby Jack and Company Sensory Tag Blanket
I had an amazing time at MommyCon and highly suggest this for moms and even dads who are expecting, new, or seasoned parents. Seriously, this should be in every city. For at least 2 days. Twice a year. It was that much fun!
One more time, here’s a link to the 2015 MommyCon event schedule. You are more than welcome to use my promo code on General Admission tickets for $5 off: MOMMYAZ15.
Thanks so much for reading along!
Awww looked like fun! And free stuff? I love conferences for that reason,and this was especially a good one for moms to go to-who does’t love free stuff? Sorry I missed it 🙁 I was thinking to go to the Bump Club and Beyond event that will take place in May, it’s like a mini conference,I might drag my sister-inlaw for that one! Just waiting for the details!
Deanna recently posted…Sweetwater Tavern and Grille
I can see how these mommy conferences can be addicting. It’s so worth it with all the free stuff, not even because I happen to be a blogger! All moms got the goods 🙂
This sounds amazing! You guys are all so awesome with your babies in the photos. If there’s something like this from where I live, I’d definitely go. It’s so nice to meet other bloggers and moms and share stories with them.
I can imagine how much I spent for diapers! Gosh. I’m so thankful that Reiko doesn’t use diapers anymore. Whew.
Rea recently posted…Ultimate Bloggers’ Meet Up At Diamond Suites Cebu
I’m loving the cloth diapers so far. Everytime I change her I think about how much money I’m saving. LOL And there’s an amazing community of mommies out there that makes cloth diapering so fun! Who knew?!
Looks like a lot of fun and you can get lots of information and meet friends. I love that it’s kid-friendly. Hope you have a good time this year!
lisacng @ expandng.com recently posted…Page Turners: April’s book
It was definitely baby friendly. I kept my 5 and 3 year old at home…they probably would have had as much fun as I did! I’m looking forward to going next year even though my baby days will probably be over by then.
This would be such a dream for me. I love that you got to wear your baby around. And meet friends! And get products!
Tamara recently posted…Don’t Panic.
I’m still glowing from all the free products. I had such a fun time! I’ll have to check to see if they are hitting up any cities in your New England this year…
It looks like you had such an awesome time! I honestly don’t know if my husband could take me going to MommyCon, I’d come back all “BAAAABE, babies!!?!!”
P.S. Nothing fun {blog wise} comes here. 🙁
XOXO
Mrs. AOK recently posted…Thank You Notes: Beach Goers, YouTube, and Sisterly Bloggers
My husband would die if he had to come along to MommyCon. But that would have come in handy for him to haul all the stuff I was carrying. LOL Seriously, I would consider another baby just so that I could hoard more baby gear!
I took my husband to ComicCon once. 🙂
Mrs. AOK recently posted…Mommy Monday #BlogHop {90}
Loved seeing all your photos and video. I think that is so precious that Alyssa has a media badge! Looks like a very cool conference and I wish they had those when my kids were little. Love gift bags and really great tips too!
I think this is their third year, and I just found out about it now…3 babies later! Better late than never, I guess. I had so much fun! 🙂
that gift bag is incredible!
catherine gacad recently posted…LuminAID
Great stuff in there…especially the trial cloth diapers and reusable bags!
This looks like such an amazing event! And seriously, there is nothing better than a good gift bag. Unfortunately I don’t have this conference in my area, the closest is DC. Maybe next year. This is a great post though, I felt like I was there with you.
Angela Gilmore recently posted…Reason #256 That I Love My Spouse – His Flattery
Thanks for reading along! I was pretty impressed by the organization of the event with all the speakers and vendors. Hopefully they expand to more cities next year!
I am attending the MC in Atlanta this weekend and this post was super helpful to me! I had no idea what to expect but this really helps with a lot of planning decisions. I’m so excited!
Thank you, Patricia! Hope you have an awesome time at MommyCon Atlanta. I’m so excited for you!