Embracing Growth and Community: My Unforgettable Evo 11 Conference Experience in Park City

It’s hard to capture the full essence of an experience that profoundly moves you, but I’ll do my best to share the magic of Evo 11. Just last week, I embarked on a journey across the country to the breathtaking landscapes of Park City, Utah. What awaited me was an immersion into a community of genuinely remarkable individuals, a diverse collective of minds, and an atmosphere buzzing with inspiration. It wasn’t just another conference; it was a testament to the power of human connection and collective growth, leaving an indelible mark on my heart and mind. Meeting so many wonderful people, truly good people, is something I always cherish, and this trip delivered that in spades.

(Team Bean: Katie, Cheryl, Kristen, me, Laura, Maria & Sandy. A huge thank you to Sandy for capturing this moment!)

(One of my most cherished connections, Maria, whose friendship I value deeply.)

(Like a sister to me, Sandy and I enjoying the Food and Photography Workshop at Lookout Cabin. The view was absolutely stunning, and I’m grateful to Sandy for this lovely picture!)

(Food truly has a way of bringing smiles to faces, doesn’t it? Here’s Katie and Flavia, all thanks to Sandy for the great shot!)

(I just might love food as much as this incredible chef, Jeffrey Saad, seen here with Sandy and me.)

(Such lovely ladies! Pictured here are Annalise, Kelley, Helen Jane, Lisa, Sandy and Alison. Another big thank you to Sandy for the photograph!)

(It was so much fun finally meeting Marla in person! We had one of those “I know you!” moments in the hotel hallway on the very first day. I adore this photo – thanks for sharing it with me, girl!)

(I wish I could take each and every one of these amazing women home with me! Pictured are Kelley, Marla, Sandy, Dara, Laura, Maria, Diane, Flavia, Cheryl and Katie. XOXO to all, and another big thank you to Sandy for capturing this fantastic group photo!)

The Evolution of Women in Social Media: An Unforgettable Conference

For those who follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you might have caught glimpses of the excitement brewing last week. While I wanted to share everything in real-time, I held back a little to avoid being overly enthusiastic! Believe me, there was an incredible amount happening at The Canyons, and it was wonderfully overwhelming in the best possible way. Evo 11, short for The Evolution of Women in Social Media, is a prestigious conference meticulously organized by the brilliant minds of Jyl and Rachel. When I say these women are forces of nature, I am not exaggerating. What truly stands out about Jyl and Rachel is their unwavering warmth and genuine approachability. Despite their immense responsibilities and undoubtedly packed schedules, they always greeted everyone with authentic smiles and took the time to stop and say hello. The sheer scale and complexity of coordinating this conference baffle me; how they maintained such composure and a positive demeanor throughout is truly inspiring. I believe their secret lies in their deep passion for what they do, which is visibly reflected in every aspect of the event. This dedication creates an environment that brings together an incredibly diverse and fantastically talented group of individuals, and that inclusivity is something I deeply admire and appreciate about Evo.

Key Takeaways from My Park City Adventure

Reflecting on my entire experience, I want to distill a few profound insights and treasured memories that I’ve brought home with me. These aren’t just fleeting thoughts, but lessons and feelings that have settled deep within.

Discovering the Majesty of Nature

First and foremost, my love for nature was rekindled and deepened in a way I hadn’t anticipated. As a Florida girl, my heart has always belonged to the ocean. The vastness and mystery of the sea have always captivated me. However, the majestic mountains of Park City truly opened my eyes to another spectacular facet of our beautiful world. I had the privilege of embarking on incredible hikes up winding trails with newfound friends, and I find myself genuinely missing the crisp, non-humid air that made every step so invigorating. Beyond the sheer beauty, I must admit, those challenging hikes did wonders for my glutes! I was delightfully sore, a testament to the effort and enjoyment.

(Apparently this beautiful bloom is considered a weed? I haven’t seen one of these wonders since my childhood in New York. A reminder to make a wish!)

Conquering the Fear of Heights

Another revelation from the trip: I’m still very much afraid of heights. There’s not much else to say about that, except that I truly tried to face it! Park City offers thrilling gondola rides as a standard mode of transport, and while I braced myself, the initial ascent was quite nerve-wracking. The views from above were spectacular, but my initial reaction involved a lot of nervous laughter and gripping the bar for dear life. It was a test of courage, and I pushed through!

(Freaking out on the chairlift – and someone suggests taking a picture! How about securing the bar first?! Huge thanks again to Sandy for capturing this moment, fear and all!)

(I found my composure and actually enjoyed the descent once I reached the top and knew I was heading back down!)

(It’s truly fascinating how this is considered normal transportation, but the only way to reach the restaurant for our Food Workshop was via one of these enclosed pods! Look at these happy ladies – clearly no fear in that little pod!)

Lessons for Life: Wisdom from the Mountains

More importantly, the Evo conference solidified several crucial life lessons that I want to carry forward:

• Embrace Your Authentic Self: It’s absolutely okay not to be perfect. The most freeing realization is to be true to who you really are and pursue what genuinely makes you happy. Authenticity is your superpower. Be unapologetically YOU!
• Cherish Family Bonds: Absence truly does make the heart grow fonder. Being away from my family, even for a short time, made me realize just how much I missed them. Their love and support are my anchors.
• Seek Daily Adventures: After listening to the inspiring Me Ra Koh, I made a promise to myself: I would consciously create an adventure in my daily life, no matter its size. Life is an adventure waiting to be lived. So, don’t forget to ask yourself, “What will your adventure be today?”
• Nurture Creativity: I’ve found that creativity has been a saving grace for my sanity. It’s a vital outlet and a source of joy. Actively seek out creativity around you, in all its forms, and wholeheartedly embrace it.
• The Necessity of Unplugging: It’s truly okay, and in fact, absolutely necessary, to unplug from the digital world every now and then. You owe it to yourself and to your loved ones to welcome a break from it all and simply let go. Thank you, Rachel, for this powerful reminder.
• Appreciate Diverse Perspectives: Learn to accept and appreciate the unique styles and personalities of others. No matter how different they may seem from your own, everyone has something valuable to teach. We all have so much to learn from each other.
• Pay It Forward, Always: And perhaps most importantly, always remember to pay it forward. Share what you learn, what you know, and your positive experiences with others. It’s a continuous cycle of generosity and growth. My sincere thanks to Diane & Todd for embodying and sharing this philosophy.

Heartfelt Thanks and Future Adventures

I extend my deepest gratitude to my Bush’s Beans family for making this incredible trip to The Canyons in Park City possible. A heartfelt thank you also goes to Jeffrey Saad, Helene, Diane & Todd, and all the talented chefs at The Canyons restaurants. Your passion, expertise, and willingness to share your talents with all of us were truly inspiring and made the culinary aspects of the conference unforgettable.

I genuinely encourage you to take a moment to visit the blogs of all the wonderful people mentioned in this post. Say hello, explore their content, and I’m confident you’ll enjoy their work and their presence as much as I do. I am incredibly fortunate to have them as part of my life.

I’m so glad to be home! There’s no place like it. And now, I’m thrilled to be back in my kitchen, ready to translate all this renewed inspiration into delicious creations. Stay tuned for more food adventures!

Looking for more insights from Evo Conference 11? Check out these fantastic recaps from fellow attendees:

• What is a Blogging Conference?
• Evo Conference: Learning, Sharing and Being Inspired
• Evo Conference 2011
• Evo’11 {Bloggers} Conference Recap
• EVO’11: A Weekend of Inspiration, Sharing and Friendship