While going back to school when I was 30 wasn’t my idea of fun, I have always believed that education and learning is a lifelong process and to that end 2014 might just be the year of the conference. To make sure that my future nutrition private practice and blog can provide the most up to date developments in health and wellness, I’m going to be attending 7 conferences (yes 7!!!) in the next few months. I wanted to share with you what I think are the top health, fitness and nutrition conferences for bloggers (and anyone else interested in health and wellness) in 2014.
Image: Krissy Venosdale
7 Conferences For Health, Fitness and Nutrition Focused Bloggers in 2014
(in date order)
1. The FitExpo Southern California and EFC Now Conference:
Image: TheFitExpo.com
Image: EFCNow.com
Dates/Location: January 25 – 26; Los Angeles
Expected Highlights: There are technically 2 conferences but they are happening at the same time one is an Expo and one is a Conference. The FitExpo is set to feature the latest and greatest in fitness and the Evolution Fitness Conference will have a full day of the fitness experiences including a class taught by Jillian Michaels! I can’t wait to report back on this one!
2. 11th Annual Natural Supplements: An Evidence-Based Update Conference for Health Care Professionals
Image: Scripps.org
Dates/Location: January 29 – Feb 1; San Diego
Expected Highlights: Learning more about the Integrative Medicine approach (the holistic view of blending conventional care and complementary treatments and therapies for mind, body and soul); hearing discussions by Michael Moss (author of Salt Sugar Fat: How The Food Giants Hooked Us), David Perlmutter (author of The Grain Brain) and learning more about the state of supplement science.
*Is it wrong that I’m also hoping to check out the yoga scene while I’m in San Diego?
3. Bloggy Boot Camp by Women Get Social
Image: BloggyBootCamp.com
Dates/Location: Feb 28 – Mar 1; San Diego
Expected Highlights: Continued education of about blogging efficiency and learning how to create earning potential from blogging. BBC Las Vegas gave me the push I needed to begin this blog and I’m excited to see some of my blogging friends in real life (and meet new ones as well).
*I’m also hoping to get in at least one run while in gorgeous San Diego.
4. Natural Products Expo West
Image: Expowest.com
Dates/Location: March 6 – 9; Anaheim
Expected Highlights: Learning about the newest natural developments in products for food, health and beauty and supplements. After attending this conference last year, I predicted the 3 Natural Product trends for 2013. I wonder if cauliflower will truly reign supreme this year as many are predicting. I can’t wait to report on this one!
5. Today’s Dietitian Spring Symposium
Image: TodaysDietitian.com
Dates/Location: May 18 – 20; Vegas baby!
Expected Highlights: Besides being in Las Vegas in May (which sounds perfect to me), this is the first symposium conducted by the magazine Today’s Dietitian. As a Registered Dietitian about to embark on a private practice, I’m hoping to learn more about the hot topics in nutrition, ways to deepen my skills and expand my practice.
*I definitely want to book a Yoga session with the dolphins at The Mirage a la Chris@WhatIRunInto and Kelly@NoThanksToCake.
6. FitBloggin’ 14
Image: FitBloggin.com
Dates/Location: June 26 – 29; Savannah, GA.
Expected Highlights: Fun, working out and learning more about blogging, health and wellness while getting hugged by the health and wellness community. I loved this conference last year and let my family know that there was no way I’d miss this conference in 2014! There are going to be some amazing speakers and while there’s always a lot going on, this conference is more of a retreat that feeds the body, soul and mind.
7. IDEA World Fitness Blogfest with Sweatpink
Image: IdeaFit.com
Dates/Location: Aug 14 – 17, Anaheim
Expected Highlights: As an IDEA Inspired Blogger and SweatPink Ambassador, I’m excited at the prospect to obtain deeper blogging education, a butt-kicking workout session with Tony Horton (who was impressive and very charming at FitBlogLA), a yoga session with Tara Stiles and to hear how fellow Registered Dietitian, Lindsay@TheLeanGreenBean meal preps and blogs about it.
There you have it – 7 amazing conferences available for those health, wellness and nutrition bloggers. I’ll admit that there are many amazing conferences that I wish that I could attend such as the 3rd Annual Lifestyle Blogger Conference and Junket (LA March), Blend Retreat (Park City, UT; June), Food & Nutrition Conference and Expo (GA, Oct) and BlogHer but there’s only so much time (and money) one can spare in a year. I’m looking forward to learning a ton and sharing what I learn with all of you here.
Which conference(s) will you be attending? Is there a conference that you wish you could attend?
Disclaimer: All of the above conferences have been paid for out of my own pocket (except the TheFitExpo and EFC for which I was given a VIP pass). The links to each conference are not affiliate links despite my association with IDEA, SweatPink and the So Cal Lady Bloggers. Clicking on the links or registering for the conferences within this post does not provide me with any money whatsoever.
I’m going to the Healthy Living Summit in Madison – September 11-14!!
Ahhh so many good things on this list! The two on my list are FitBloggin and IDEA/Sweatpink! I need to make some decisions this weekend!
I want to go to the natural food thing in anaheim! Of course I’ll be at the IDEAWorld Blogfest but…that’s probably it for the year. :-/
This is an ambitious list. We decided to focus on IDEA’s main convention rather than the social media one, as we always attend to get the latest research & trends in fitness. But we’ll see you at either Fitbloggin’ or NatProWest!!! yay. Oh, and stop by the Sherpa booth on Saturday, 1/25 at the FitExpo and get a posture assessment from us!!! Wheee.
I’ll only be at FitBloggin from this list. But Nellie and I are going to BlogHer too. I would have loved to go to IdeaWorld too…but I cannot make 2 west coast trips within this year…let alone within 2 weeks. lol
So jealous! You have so much learning to do – I love it!! I love conferences and being immersed in what I love for days at a time and learning from the experts. You will love it, I’m sure – not to mention ALL that you will learn. I’m of course looking forward to seeing you at FitBloggin (submitted my ignite presentation – yikes!) and I’ll be doing the Bloggy Boot Camp when it comes to Philly in September. woot woot!
woohoo! can’t wait!
It would be great to see you in my neck of the woods for sure!
Mindy: I wanted to go to HLS last year but it was on one of the Jewish holidays. It definitely seems like a great conference! I may add it into my addendum. Thanks for the reminder!
Tiffany: Did you get your press pass approved for Nat Products Expo? It is relatively easy. LMK if you do go because I’d love to see you there.
I’ll see you and Kymberly on Saturday and hopefully also at FitBloggin and NatProExpoWest! Yay! I think I am little nuts for doing all on the list but it’s going to be great.
Totally understand! Can’t wait to see you speak at FitBloggin’! I submitted for Ignite so we’ll see…. PS – So thrilled for you with the Greatist nod. So well deserved!
I’m thrilled that we’ll see each other at FitBloggin’ and I think you’re a lock for Ignite. It would be great if we both got picked! You will love BBC – it’s amazing.
Any chance you’ll be attending the Today’s Dietitian Symposium as well?
Ooh, my friend Joi (Rx Fitness Lady) always talks about Fitbloggin’.
I would love to do Bloggy Boot Camp, but probably in Philly. And these are more general conferences, but I am contemplating BlogU, BBC Philly, and yes, BlogHer. The big one.
I WANT TO GO TO ALL OF THEM! ALL OF THEM I TELL YOU! I am going to the one this Saturday actually, but not for too long. I think I am going to go to the EXPO in the AM on Saturday, and then take a work out class with Jillian Michaels and that’s it! I AM PUMPED! Hopefully we can meet up!
I REALLY want to go to BLOGHER TOO! And I cannot wait for the Natural Food Expo and the IDEA FIT Conference!
FitBloggin’ was amazing last year and I can’t wait for this year. BBC is fantastic! Never heard of BlogU and BlogHer scares me just a little bit.
Will watch your site to see what you think though.
There are so many conferences! Let’s definitely try to meet up if possible. I’m psyched and scared a bit for Jillian but I imagine it will be a great experience.
There’s just so much goodness coming!
Ahhhh all the good stuff happens on the west coast it seems! I’ve got a ton on my plate for conferences…it seems as if I may be a little addicted 😉 Enjoy bbc!
That is so exciting you are going to so many conferences!! I haven’t been to any yet. Would have liked to go to BlogHer since it’s only an hour away from me, but it’s the same weekend as the SF marathon and I’m doing the 1st half.
Oh, yay, lots of people planning on Fitbloggin’ I think that’s the only one on this list I can make.
Can’t wait to speak at FitBloggin myself. There were a couple conferences here I didn’t know about. I’ll add them to Bloggingtix.com.
Awesome!
Thanks so much for this great list! I’m going to Natural Products Expo. I went last year and it was amazing! Can’t wait to go again!
Crystal: Thanks! Natural Products Expo is quite a conference. Hope to see you there.
Thanks Dan! Looking forward to seeing you speak at FitBloggin’ too. One other conference I know I left out was Healthy Living Summit (in case you wanted to add it to Bloggingtix.com too).
If you have to choose one, FitBloggin’s a good one to choose.
I can’t wait and I agree conferences can be addicting. I may need some assistance soon.
Well, I guess you won’t see many guys at “Bloggy Boot Camp by Women Get Social” lol! I’m actually wondering if any males do show up there, have you been there a different year?
I was thinking about going to a nutrition conference in San Francisco in a few months, I just don’t know if it’s going to be worth it. Besides being fun, do you feel it’s a good investment for your blog?
Alejandro: I have seen males at BBC/WGS before. Not many but a few. With regard to going to a nutrition conference, I’m not sure it’s an investment for your blog but if your blog is your business (or an extension of your profession), it might be a good one. It depends on what the conference is and what you do with the information (or if you’re looking to connect with brands). Sometimes just the knowledge is great but it depends on the cost, time and the perceived benefit. There are so many great conferences but I, for one, have not enough money to attend all of the ones I’d like. I’m already close to breaking the bank with the ones that I’m planning. Good luck!
Thanks Melissa!
I am planning on attending both FitBloggin and IdeaWorld this year. They both seem like they will be amazing experiences.
I’m looking forward to both of those as well.
Aiming for FitBloggin’ 14. this year. So many great conferences but so little time. Great list by the way.
cheers
Jesse
Thanks Jesse! If you come to FitBloggin’ please find me and say hi! FitBloggin’ is one amazing conference!
Hi Melissa!
I am also a registered dietitian (northerner moved to AL) and blogging on food, fitness, and travel. I can’t wait to hear about these conferences you will be attending! I am new to the blogging scene, and am learning quite a bit! If you have any advice at all as a successful RD blogger, I would greatly appreciate it!
Will be watching for your conference updates!
Tamar
Hi Tamar:
The post you’re referencing is a bit old but I do hope you’ll keep following me to get updates on current fitness and food endeavors. I’ll look for your blog on Bloglovin to follow you as well. I love finding other RD bloggers out there!