2008 MilBlog Conference

Updated 8/11/08

Welcome to the official blog site for the 2008 MilBlog Conference. Okay, we're off to a late start this year, but the ball is finally rolling..... All news and information about the conference will be posted here. We'll be sprucing the blog up a bit over the next few days but for now, we're just concentrating on getting information out.

As most of you know by now, the MilBlog Conference joined forces with Blog World Expo this year. The 2008 MilBlog Conference will be held in Las Vegas on September 20.

Panel topics/times are below:

Date: SEPTEMBER 20, 2008

Location: Blog World Expo, Las Vegas

Agenda:

10:30a – 11:00a: Opening Remarks and Presentation of 2007 Milbloggie Awards

11:00a – 12:00p: Are MilBlogs Still Relevant? In the wake of a successful military surge in Iraq, waning media attention and an election year, are MilBlogs as relevant to the national conversation on war as they once were?

12:00p – 12:15p: Break

12:15p – 1:15p: MilBlogging as a Community. A fascinating look at how the milblogging community was built, what it’s achieved and how deep and wide its reach has become. We’ll explore how milblogging gives a voice to supporters, parents and spouses of service members, and how that voice is effectively used to support an entire military community.

1:15p – 2:45p: Lunch Break

2:45 – 3:45p: DoD Live Bloggers Roundtable: We will be joined by Pete Geren, Secretary of the Army, and General George Casey, Chief of Staff of the Army, for a special edition of the weekly DoD Live Bloggers Roundtable. Secretary Geren and General Casey will take audience questions re operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and other topics. 

3:45 – 5:00p: Free Time (Sit in on other panels or stroll the vendor floor).

5:00 – 6:00p: The New Cadre of War Reporters. Reporting from the Green Zone is not an option for this gritty band of milbloggers. Today’s technology enables milbloggers and embedded reporters to report directly from the battlefield. We’ll talk with some of these milbloggers about their experiences in the combat zone.

6:00p: Closing Remarks

Registration is a bit complicated this year, but for good reason. Milblog attendees will be able to attend the MilBlog Track (and the exhibit hall) free of charge. We'll be announcing the registration procedure later today or tomorrow (really, we will.....). For now, if you're planning on attending the MilBlog track, please do not register for BWE until we post registration instructions.

As panelists, guest speakers and moderators are confirmed, we'll make those announcements right here on the conference blog, so check back often. We'll be shaking things up a wee bit this year. Always tweaking.... We're looking forward to another great conference!

We're also thrilled that JP is back from Iraq and will attend his first MilBlog Conference. JP worked hard on the past two conferences, and helped us quite a bit. Welcome home, JP!

Comments

[akinoluna]

So what are these conferences actually like? Is it a big GOP-political-gun-fest like most of the milblog world or does it actually pertain to the average servicemember's life?

[Some Soldier's Mom]

akinoluna: well, yes... yes they are... how did you know?? did someone spill the beans? who told? eeewww... guess the secret's out now, huh?

[Mrs G]

This will be Greyhawk's first appearance as well, he's also home safe and sound.

akinoluna, political-gun-fest, well of course, what's the military without it's guns. GOP-political-gun-fest, not so much. Just because most milblogs are for victory doesn't necessarily mean their in a love fest with the GOP.
We cover extensively the average service member's life along with their spouses and families.

Hope to see you there, you to Ms Carla

[Army Girl]

"So what are these conferences actually like? Is it a big GOP-political-gun-fest like most of the milblog world or does it actually pertain to the average servicemember's life?"

Milblogs are as diverse as the members who author and contribute to them. And some of us take offense to being stereo-typed into political parties.

If you're truly interested in the average service-member's life, feel free to shoot me an email and I can direct you to some great blogs.

For starters, Requiem and Doc in the Box. Then to top that off, Doonesbury's "The Sandbox." Those should keep you quite busy!

Or you could just enlist. Feel free to contact me for info if you're interested!

AG

:P

[Andi]

I agree with Mrs G's comment. Your question is a fair one, akinoluna. This year's conference isn't lining up to be an echo chamber, or a political event. I don't believe we'll see a monolithic cast of characters, which should make for interesting, stimulating conversation about issues that affect the military community.

[Mrs G]

Army Girl, akinoluna is a female marine and has been around the blogosphere for a while.

[concretebob]

akinoluna, Semper Fidelis
this is a link to a report on the first milblog conference.
http://beltwayblogroll.nationaljournal.com/archives/2006/04/milbloggers_wit.php#comments
It was as political as it needed to be at that time.
It was the first ever anywhere and Andi and Mrs G and several dozen other very dedicated people did a hell of a job.
The second, if I remember various accounts, was not political at all.
I doubt this one will be political unless Uncle J and Kev get rolling on Obama.
I'm working on getting there.
Andi, Thank You for all the hard work. If there is anything I can help with, you know where to reach me.

[Miss Ladybug]

I've not been able to get to one yet. Can't commit to this year yet, but I'll keep my fingers crossed. Vegas might actually make it a little easier (and less expensive) than the two in DC, since I'd be on a budget. Teachers don't a whole lot. I've got another interview on Thursday for a teaching job... Wish me luck!

[Sean]

So far it looks like a go for me to this year:) Las Vegas is a much easier trip then DC. It's going to be great seeing you all again! And akinoluna, don't worry, you'll fit right in.