In 2017, I co-founded the Blogger Xchange with Kay Elle. We saw a need and wanted to create a supportive and inclusive community. We have done almost 100 events since then. We hosted the 2nd Annual Blogger Xchange XPO August 22-25 in Nashville. For our 2nd Annual Blogger Xchange XPO, we promised it would be bigger and better. To do that, we added a 4th day and VIP passes. VIP passes granted access to a Thursday night sponsor mixer, premium swag bag and Saturday morning yoga.
The most important thing is who I was wearing…Pink Lily Boutique. They sponsored a few of my outfits for the weekend. The mixer was held at The Lab Nashville. The Lab is great venue for smaller events and during the day it’s a co-working space. We’ve worked with them a few times and the owner Josh is great. For our event, we had our VIP attendees, teachers and sponsor reps. The night was captured by Moments by Mama Bear Photography. We went to high school together and you can find her in our BX Nashville Photographers Guide.
The night was catered by Slim & Husky’s Pizza and Beeria. They recently won the Today Show’a pizza cook-off. It’s my fave pizza! And the best thing about the catering is they add amazing pastas to the mix. I mean some of the best pasta I have ever had. A party isn’t a party without drinks right? We had plenty of those. Our drinks were served by Services by Michael. Michael is great to work with and we highly recommend him for corporate and private events.
We had drinks provided by Muddy Boot Wine, Jackson Morgan Cream, Uncle Nearest Whiskey and Deep Bay Spirits. Muddy Boot Wine recently expanded their selection to include cans. The Off Road series comes in a variety of tasty flavors including a California White Wine. They’re now available in TN. A lot of our drink sponsors had new flavors come out this summer and we were so happy to support. Deep Bay added two new vodka flavors, Cranberry and Grapefruit. It was my first time trying Jackson Morgan and I have to say the Salted Caramel is my fave flavor. They gave us lots of recipe cards and I will be making a few for the holidays. Uncle Nearest is the talk of the town these days as the distillery is about to have its grand opening soon. I love the brand, that’ it’s female owned and that it tells such a great story. Also, it’s good, strong whiskey. My southern heart approves. All of these wonderful brands and flavors are now available in TN. Be sure to grab one of the above for your next event.
My fave way to end the day is with a warm cookie. That’s what TIFF’s Treats provided. How can you not end on a food note with delicious cookies that melt in your mouth. I enjoy every flavor, but there is certainly something about classic chocolate chip that makes me warm. Before the night was over, we had a few of our sponsors speak and tell their brand stories.
And we know everyone doesn’t drink so we were sure to have Boxed Water minis on hand. We know Boxed Water is better. It was a wonderful evening down to the last decoration detail.
Our decorations were by Bumble BFF including balloons, napkins and straws. They also provided all of the tote bags for the VIPs. The VIP swag bags included amazing items from Bar Method, Gold & Ivy, HomeSick, J.Crew, Local Coasters, Nash Girl Skin, Ode to Self, Share Love Everywhere, Winky Lux, Nash TN and White Bison Coffee.
There are 3 more posts recapping the weekend. Before you check those out, I have to say thank you to each sponsor, every volunteer, every teacher, every speaker, the venues and each person that encouraged and helped me. It is truly appreciated. THANK YOU!!!!! We ended the evening at 8:00PM as we had an early day on Friday. We had to decorate Nossi for Saturday and get ready for the kick-off party. Check out my Friday, Saturday and Sunday XPO recaps to see what the full weekend was like. Didn’t make it this year? Don’t worry, we have more events coming.
love,
Leigh
2019 XPO Sponsors:
LEAD
- Macy’s Green Hills Nashville
- LaMarvelous Balloons
VENUES
- The Lab Nashville
- Ainsworth Nashville
- Nossi College of Art
- redpepper
FOOD & DRINKS
- Birdie’s Frozen Drinks
- Boxed Water
- Chef Batts
- Custom Creations by Chanel
- Deep Bay Spirits
- Jackson Morgan Cream
- Muddy Boot Wine
- Rush Bowls
- Services by Michael
- Slim & Husky’s Pizza & Beeria
- Taziki’s Nashville
- Tiff’s Treats
- Uncle Nearest Whiskey
GIFT BAGS & GIVEAWAYS
- AILA
- Aviate Brand
- Bar Method
- Bumble BFF
- Cracker Barrel
- First Aid Beauty
- Gold & Ivy
- Homesick
- J.Crew
- Local Coasters
- Lyft
- Meet Plain Jane
- Nash Girl Skin
- Native in Nashville
- Ode to Self Skincare
- Pink Lily Boutique
- Share Love Everywhere
- White Bison Coffee
- Winky Lux
VENDORS
- Esthetics By P. Brown
- HelloWellCo
- Shop India Marie
- NashTN
- Knine Sixx Strut Couture
- Xiss & Makeup
- Beautiac
- Omni Massage & Beauty Bar
- Triluna Wellness + Events
- Her Signature Events
- iKnead Massage Therapy
DJ, DESIGN, PHOTO & VIDEO
- Cassie K
- C Roy Lens
- Focus Outward
- Moments by Mama Bear Photography
- Vibe Gawds
- Black Business Boom
- Photowalk Tour
