
So 2020 was supposed to be my grand return to the Wine Bloggers…errr…now Wine Media Conference. It was going to be 2 hours away from me. How could I *not* go? I was going to go down to Eugene, hang out, drink some wine, go see My Favorite Bitch who lives a mere 20 minutes from downtown Eugene, and just have some fun.
Then…a little global pandemic threw those plans into the toilet.
Really, ‘Rona? REALLY? I haven’t been to a conference since 2015 and you decide to wreak havoc.
I know, it’s a mild annoyance, but still.
Zephyr Conferences has adapted the 2020 Wine Media Conference to be a virtual event. So instead of hanging out in the awesome city of Eugene, I will be in the comfort of either my home.
Here are some pro’s and con’s to the virtual conference:
Pros to the conference being virtual
- I can wear my pajamas.
- No one will know if I’m drinking coffee, Red Bull, water, or wine.
- I don’t have to actually be present for the sessions. (*I paid $25 for an all-access pass so I can watch and rewatch sessions if necessary*).
- I don’t have to deal with an overloaded internet connection or search for a power strip (if you know, YOU KNOW!).
Cons to the conference being virtual
- I don’t get to see people I’ve missed for the last few years.
- I don’t get to explore a new wine region.
- I don’t get to show off my cute mask.
- I have to deal with my internet connection and all my work-from-home neighbors being on at the same time.
All in all, I’m looking forward to this years conference. It is going to be interesting to have a virtual conference. And don’t fret…my registration fee for 2020’s in-person conference has been carried over to 2021 in Eugene…if we’re still not in the midst of a pandemic.
*In exchange for a reduced registration fee, I agreed to write a minimum number of posts regarding the conference. All opinions and thoughts presented are mine and not influenced by Zephyr Conferences.*
**Photo is from an old conference…I want to say it was the 2014 Conference in Buellton, CA.**