Vida Vegan Con is a vegan bloggers conference, during which vegans from all over the globe descend on a city. (The first two were held in Portland, and the most recent one was in Austin.)
The conference is a place to reconnect with old friends, put a real life face to an online persona, and meet new people.
I knew from the VVC I attended in Portland in 2013 that the time would be fleeting and intense. It was going to slip through my fingers quickly. And so I had to let go, be present, and try to enjoy every moment as it came.
The best thing about the conference was getting to spend time with people who are inspired and excited by the same things as I am. There were eager and animated conversations about the best tofu scramble, the joys of Instagram, and which Austin food trucks were not to be missed.
Not only did the group consist of bloggers for the most part, which is a niche in and of itself, it was also vegan bloggers.
There was an understanding of why we were there and what pushes us to keep writing. It is easy and energizing to be with people who “get” you.
So often in my regular life, I watch loved ones geek out in discussions about the latest Marvel movies or obscure television shows. And this was my own vegan version.
The Meet & Greet
The Vida Vegan Con festivities started with a meet and greet at Buzzmill Coffee.
The event was outdoors for the most part. With the humidity, it felt like we were all wrapped up in a wet flannel blanket.
I kept seeing so many familiar faces, it was hard to continue with one conversation for long.
Golden Spike Rail Cart was there serving a limited menu. I got tofu tacos and egg rolls with two different flavors – buffalo and banh mi.
The Bazaar:
The next day was the bazaar at Marchesa Hall. The room was packed with vendors with lots of food samples, t-shirts, purses, and more.
I was finally able to meet Christy Robinson in person, who makes vegan-themed jewelry. I bought a piece from her for the first time 7 or 8 years ago. Over the years I’ve added many more to my collection. It was great to finally chat in real life.
(David and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary a few days ago. And he surprised me with a necklace he purchased from her while we were there.)
I also picked up a couple of shirts (one from Meaningful Paws and a Vida Vegan Con t-shirt), and a round of Miyoko’s cheese.
There was a main hall, where speakers rotated throughout the day.
I sat in on the talk of Gene Baur from Farm Sanctuary, the Austin panel about how to build a vegan community in your town, and Terry Hope Romero’s talk on how she stays sane by not reading the comments.
(She said that she isn’t inspired to create more work by reading the negativity of other people. So on her blog, she has the comments turned off. And she stays away from reviews on Amazon.)
The Conference:
And of course, there was the conference itself with classes aplenty.
During every session, there were multiple classes from which to choose. More than once during the weekend, I wished that I could be in two places at once.
I made a point to see different speakers this time around from my first VVC to help narrow it down, but it meant missing out on some speakers who I had wholly enjoyed in the past.
Some class highlights included:
Jackie Sobon gave lots of useful information on making the most of social media in her class Blogging Etiquette & Social Media Essentials. Plus, she had all of her signature sass that makes Jackie so refreshing to be around.
Monique Koch’s class on Honesty in Your Online Presence was candid and welcoming. Monique has a palpable warmth, and she encouraged showing the parts of your life that aren’t always Pinterest perfect.
Brian Patton was as hilarious as I knew he would be in his class on Social Media & Why You’re Doing It Wrong.
Hannah Kaminsky is a terrific photographer, and I liked hearing her tips for on-location photography.
I’ve been armchair traveling on Jojo Huxster’s trips for years now. So it was cool to get behind the scenes information in her class called Adventures in Travel Blogging.
One of the most fun classes from the weekend was Amey Matthew’s zine making workshop. People were asked to sign up ahead of time. Then Amey emailed all of us. She told us to bring a personal recipe to share.
We spent the class time copying the recipe onto paper, so that it could be compiled into a group zine. Amey’s enthusiasm is endlessly contagious.
All of the food at the conference was terrific, especially the mac and cheese that was served on the second day.
After party:
After the final day of the conference, it was back to Cheer Up Charlie’s for drinks and a photo booth. We got in a few more conversations until it was time to say goodbye until who knows when.
This was the final Vida Vegan Con. Jess, Michele, and Janessa who started the conference 4 years ago, have decided to move onto other things.
While I feel sad for the big gap this will create, I feel so appreciative of the time, energy, and devotion that clearly went into creating it. They should be very, very proud.
What Amey said at the closing talk was so true… I ended the weekend feeling happy for the friends I had made but sad for the ones I hadn’t. With hundreds of people attending the conference, there was no way that I could meet them all, especially not in a meaningful way.
Still, if there’s one thing that I got from the weekend, it’s that the world is small.
In the past, I’ve met up with some of the bloggers who were there in California and New York. Hopefully someday I’ll add to that list with meet-ups in England, Australia, Canada, and more.
Until then, we’ll always have the world wide web.
Bianca
Awwwwww, I’m so glad you just now posted this!! I was afraid all the VVC recaps were over, and I kinda just wanna read them forever! It was so much fun. And I’m soooo bummed that it was the last one. But we’ll meet again! I just know it! Also, glad that pic that David took at the end turned out! I wish I hadn’t had the world’s giantest coldsore all weekend. I kept trying to hide it in pictures, but I gave up toward the end. Ha!
Cadry
Ha! My busy June worked out to your benefit then. I still have restaurant reviews from the trip home too. It’s the never ending Vida Vegan Con weekend! 🙂
I’m so bummed it was the last one too. After the 2013 VVC, it seemed like an endless wait for 2015. It’s hard to believe that’s the end of it, and I hope someone else will take up the charge. Or like you suggested, maybe we’ll all have to do a huge meet-up at the LA beer fest next year. It could be a rogue Vida Vegan Con. And I have no doubt that our paths will cross again someday! 🙂
Caitlin
it’s so bitter sweet reading your recaps of vvc. i LOVE reading them, but they make me sad that i could not be there. i definitely pinned that mac and cheese recipe- it looks incredible!!
Cadry
I’m bummed you weren’t there too! You were missed. Someday we’ll have to rendezvous at Vedge to make up for it. 🙂
Veganopoulous
I’m sad I won’t be able to attend one of these now! I loved reading everyone’s recaps and spotting my favourite bloggers in photos. That tank you bought and your necklace gift are pretty great 🙂
Cadry
I’m hoping that someone else will take up the charge and continue Vida Vegan Con or recreate it in a new way. Fingers crossed!
Veganopoulous
fingers crossed indeed! I forgot to mention in my comment that I’d love to enter the zine comp!
Cadry
Congrats! You won one of the two copies. I sent you a message, and I’ll plan on mailing it tomorrow. 🙂
Susan
Yes, definitely come and visit Australia! 😀
Cadry
Hopefully that will happen sooner rather than later! It was great meeting you in person finally. 🙂
Nicole
Oh, this post takes me back! What a fabulous overview of the whole event. I miss everyone already! I hope one day you and David can come visit us in Toronto 🙂
Cadry
That’s definitely in our plans. Hopefully sometime in the next year! I’ll keep you posted!
River
This has been one of my favorite VVC recap posts! What an awesome event. I have heard nothing but rave reviews about that yummy mac and cheese. I need to make some!
That first photo – you all look like you’re modeling hair styles for a hair salon! How on earth do you keep your hair so smooth and beautiful? I now have a serious case of “poodle hair” thanks to the high humidity here.
Amey’s zine class sounds like so much fun! I am going to go check out the pdf now. Thanks for sharing!
Cadry
Thanks for the compliments on my hair! That’s sweet of you to say and very funny about the hair modeling. I can’t really take any credit for it. My hair is just that way naturally. In fact, many years ago I bought a flat iron. I realized later that it was the silliest purchase ever since my hair is already straight! It would be like a person with naturally curly hair getting a perm.
Amey’s class was a great time, as I knew it would be. I didn’t go into the class with any big goals of making a zine myself; I mostly just wanted to do it because I knew it would be fun. Plus, we made our own personalized souvenir from the event. Win/win!
Randi
Yay reliving VVC! I’m so glad we finally met but I wish we could have talked or hung out more. I’m just super awkward at making conversation with people who are awesome :/ Can’t wait to see you again!
Cadry
It’s funny that you say that, you didn’t seem awkward in the slightest! I wish we’d had more time to hang out too. I have a feeling our paths will cross again someday on the East coast or across the pond.
Jacqui
I recognize names of bloggers I read. It makes me wish I had one just so I could have been there. So many vegan Rockstars in one place! I would love one of the zines you are giving away.
Cadry
Congrats, Jacqui! You won! I’ll pop it in the mail to you tomorrow.
Jennifer
sounds like a terrific conference! I would love a copy of the zine!
Cadry
It was lots of fun for sure!
Lisa | The Viet Vegan
AWWW NOOOOOO THIS WAS THE LAST VVC?! Nicole had told me about it in February at the Vegan Bake Off in Toronto and I couldn’t afford it this time around but I thought I would go the next one (in 2017?). I’m so sad I won’t be able to meet up with you and all the other rad veganistas =(
Cadry
I know, it’s so sad! There will definitely be a gap with no more Vida Vegan Con. Hopefully someone else will jump in and continue it in some way, shape, or form. I would have liked to meet you! Maybe someday in Toronto instead! 🙂