What is your purpose for visiting Ireland? Business or Pleasure?

That’s a hard one to answer. Technically I’m not here for pleasure.  I won’t spend much (if any) time wandering around the city, checking out castles, touring the Guinness factory or sitting in a cafe and watching the world go by at its own pace.

But at the same time it’s not technically a business trip either. I won’t be attending any meetings for my 9-to-5 job. There’s no expense reports to fill out, I am not reporting back to my boss in the States and I’m burning through 2 of my all too few vacation days.

Though there was not much time for sight seeing, you can’t avoid seeing the beauty in this city. Loved the red ivy!

So what exactly am I doing in Dublin? Well I guess the best way to put it is am focusing on the business side of what brings me pleasure.  I’m here to improve this very blog you’re reading right now and to work on ways to develop my presence in the travel industry. To improve the blog content, to increase its audience, to network with fellow travel bloggers to exchange ideas and to meet businesses and organizations that want to engage with writers and travelers.

For those of you who are not in the business of travel blogging, you likely have not heard of TBEX before. TBEX (aka Travel Blog Exchange) is a twice yearly conference that brings together bloggers who focus on travel topic and industry experts. It also gives the host city a chance to show off their best attractions, hotels, restaurants and places of interest to an international crowd who will no doubt be sharing photos, videos, commentary and general feelings with their readers.

One way to make conference attendees happy — fresh scones!

I had considered attending past TBEX conferences, but timing, location (who doesn’t want to check out Dublin?) and a real desire to develop this blog made me finally take action and reserve a ticket (it ended up being a sold out event, by the way).  I have the chance to reunite with bloggers-friends I’d met in the past, finally shake hands with people I had previously only known online, listen to inspiring speakers and get great tips for improving this blog and its reach (I know, I know…and you thought it couldn’t possibly get any better!).

One of many informative sessions I attended at TBEX – Dublin

Speed Dating, TBEX Style.

So now its time to get down to business and put some of my learnings into action. I’ll be working towards new types of content, better photography, a new design for the blog and more opportunities to interact with you all, the readers.  Please be patient, and please feel free to leave comments on what you like, what you’d like to see and what can be done better. And if you do like what you see, please share this blog and the Facebook page with friends, family and anyone you know who finds joy in travel.

Well, I guess there was time for a little bit of fun on the trip.