One of many lessons I’ve learned attending conferences is that each attendee has their unique reason for going to the event.

I personally have two objectives when I decide to attend.

1. The first one is being able to reconnect with people I love and admire.
2. The second one is to meet new people that have common interests with me.

I Won’t miss This Awesome Conference Either

There are two conferences I don’t miss every year, one being SXSW and the other one being Misfit Inc.

Copyblogger Rainmaker Authority conference will definitely be added to the list of annual pilgrimages.

My First Visit to Denver

This was my first visit to Denver and it started off a bit rocky. Thankfully, after emails and exchanges with AirBNB, and a rock star attendee, I was able to quickly make it an awesome experience.

In 2010 my good friend and business partner Chris Brogan recommended that I try Genesis Framework for my blogs. I bought the full package and since then I have preferred building websites in WordPress on Genesis.

I also became an affiliate and started recommending the platform.

In 2012 when Copyblogger had a hiccup with their affiliate system, I exchanged emails with Jessica Frick, one of their team members, about something that did not go as Copyblogger planned.

Since my first purchase with them, Copyblogger has taken good care of me. They have saved me many hours of sleep, helped me building better websites, and I could go on and on with a long list.

Jessica did everything possible to make it up to me by inviting me to their SXSW 2012 Copyblogger event. I had a blast and became a fan of Jessica, her co-workers, and the Copyblogger brand.

The  Rainmaker Authority Conference

The day before the conference, Copyblogger had a reception mixed with registration.

My new friend Patrick Garmoe decided to invite folks to lunch. A few of us made our way to the Corner Office right in front of the Ellie Opera House.

There I had a chance to meet a diverse and talented group of individuals.

Meeting The Franchise King

The real highlight was the privilege of finally meeting Joel Libava better known as the Franchise King.

I have chatted with Joel over the internet since 2011 where we were part of the Kitchen Table Companies community. Joel listened to my concerns regarding my AirBnB issue.

It was Hard to Pay for a Meal or Drink

This is the first conference I went to where it was hard to pay for your own meal. We had our meals paid for by some of the members of the Copyblogger community.

On my way back home, I had a nice couple even invite me to breakfast at the airport and they were not at the conference. After the first hiccup upon my arrival in Denver, I was showered with lots of luck.

The Copyblogger Reception

I arrived at the reception and I quickly identified some familiar faces. I met some pretty awesome new folks and had a blast that first day. The energy in the ballroom was great and out of the three evening events this was the one I had the most fun at.

I also got the surprise that my good friend Rob Hatch was attending and I had not seeing him since January 2014.

Meeting Patrick for the first time, getting to shake Joel’s hand, and seeing my close friend Rob Hatch, kept me smiling throughout the following days. I had made a great decision to visit Denver and the people that were there made it all worth it.

A mix of excellent speaker curation and extremely talented attendees.

The first day of the conference started with Daniel Pink presenting. I listened in for the most part but I keep myself moving between taking pictures of Daniel Pink and other speakers. I would breakout to the hall to chat and meet those folks who were at Authority with me.

I pretty much did the same for the two days going in and out of the venue. Not only because I like to talk but because I learn a lot from the great group of folks that were visiting.

During the whole time I was there I found that this has to be the conference with the most caring and kind individuals. I did not meet one attendee I felt did not fit there.

Congrats and Thank You Jessica and Copyblogger Team

I have to give my compliments to Jessica Frick and her team.

They did an awesome job creating an awesome production but more importantly attracting the right people.

More Photos of the Conference

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For the past two years, when I come back from the Misfit Conference, the universe starts aligning to bring about large and small changes. For the rest of the year I find myself recounting my experiences at Misfit to other non Misfits. Some are interested but I am sure there are a few that make me feel like Michelle (The Band Geek) in the american movie classic American Pie chatting about that one time at band camp.

It gives me the opportunity to absorb the greatness of the folks that are around me during the conference. I enjoy the fact that I get to spend time with them in Fargo, the coolest town I have visited up North.

Why Fargo?

Each year that I mention my trip to Fargo people ask me, “Why Fargo?” I could spend days mentioning all the great experiences I have had in Fargo during the three misfit conferences. This year AJ and Melissa Leon decided not to create a website for the event.

One of the many reasons for not having a website is that Misfit Con is so planned that they even curate attendees. For the second Misfit Con AJ and Melissa opened up the conference to others.

The result was the whole Misfit Team going through 4,000 applications. They decided to keep the event at no more than 150 people. Misfit Con is a gathering of those who might be distant geographically, but with similarities in the way we act and think.

Over the past three years Misfit Conference has been a gathering of the most interesting people. From an Irish Blacksmith, to a Moccasin Shoe maker, one of the lost boys of South Sudan now turned international musician, Potters, Photographers, World Record Holders, and a list of many people changing their communities and the world.

This year, I flew into Chicago then I drove with my family to Fargo, North Dakota and then drove back.

This gives me the opportunity to get ready for the conference. I also experience a bit of the Midwest where we’ve made it a tradition to stop in our favorite Vegan friendly burger place A.J. Bombers. This year the highlight of our road trip was meeting long time, online friend, Jim Raffel.

The Positive Vibes of Fargo

Arriving in Fargo is always something exciting. Details of the conference are usually kept secret until you are ready to experience it. I can spend days detailing everything we experienced.

My friend Cebo Campbell described it best in his post “The Wonder of MisfitCon 2015”. If you weren’t there you would not be able to understand what we all experienced.

Getting a text letting you know what is next and where to meet is something unique. Having a guessing game with your fellow Misfits adds to the fun. The Misfit team sent out text messages of what the attendees had to do next.

The first night we were getting on a coach bus to an undisclosed location where the Red River of the North was flowing and encountering the most amazing Tree House after walking on a dirt road.

We had drinks, food, and hugged awesome people. We listened to great music and a bonfire warmed us up. The night ended with me with my daughter on my shoulders, while I walked with brilliant friends under the stars in North Dakota.

The first day of the conference had a similar format to previous years. My friend, Jeff Pulver, was talking about his first Social Network (HAM Radio). Jeff and the other speakers shared intimate details of their life, leaving a bit of themselves with the audience.

The first day ended and we meet in front of the Billboard on the main strip like the first night. School buses grabbed us and took us to an abandoned school. The Misfits had taken over school and it was a night to remember. Once again we had amazing drinks, delicious food, painters, break dancers, Mirko’s Vegan Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, vegan hot dogs and more.

The Opportunities are with the People you Meet

In summary, throughout the entire conference there was one thing standing out; a spirit of creation from the culinary arts, mixology, paintings, street art, and tiny houses.

More importantly it is a place where the opportunities to connect and get to know others, is the main purpose of the conference.

One thing I will promise, if you decide to join us at the next Misfit Conference, you will do some crying.

Hopefully you will also leave with a different and much better perception of the world.

Being a Misfit is Hard

I found finally found a group of people who are a critical part of my life and support me even when many think I am out of my mind.

Like my friend Erik Proulx mentions being a Misfit is Hard.

Thank You MISFITS

The great thing is that being a Misfit keeps you from feeling lonely; you feel supported and courageous and ready to conquer your next challenge.

Thanks AJ and Melissa.

MisfitCon 2015 Photos

My Experience Captured Through Images. Special thanks to Jesse Hoorelbeke from J. Alan Paul Photography for sharing his equipment and pricey lens.

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