Carolina Bloggin: Growing the S.C. blogger community, honoring its best with Weblog awards

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California, New York and other states may have caught on to the blogging trend long before South Carolina, but with our unique combination of politics, culture, history, southern lifestyle and cuisine, the Palmetto State is quickly establishing itself as the home of some of the most prolific, engaging and noteworthy bloggers in the nation. 

South Carolina bloggers are introducing the world to southern culture as it really is and making folks stand up and recognize the force we’ve become in the blogosphere. 

The Carolina Bloggin’ Luncheon celebrates the distinct voice of Southern bloggers and encourages all bloggers, both veterans and rookies, to take to the net and let their voices be heard.

After a very successful 2010 luncheon in Columbia, Sweet Water Media is hosting its second annual event on Saturda, October 22, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Columbia. 

Luncheon founder, Teowonna Clifton, said, “We started Carolina Bloggin’ as a way for bloggers to meet and talk shop. Bloggers are very supportive of each other, and we wanted to provide a forum for them to meet face to face and share ideas. Last year, we accomplished that. This year, we want an even bigger representation from across the state, especially the Upstate, Lowcountry and Myrtle Beach.”

The luncheon, themed ‘Meet, Greet, Taste & Tweet’, will be held at Gervais and Vine, located in The Vista, Columbia’s hospitality district. Offered will be Mediterranean tapas prepared with a Southern flare.

The business meeting will consist of two segments, The Business of Blogging and The Joy of Blogging, both with respected bloggers and experts heading the discussions. Attendees are invited to share their personal experiences, something previous guests enjoyed tremendously. Lord Mazwell said of last year’s event, “Good food, smart tips and some very well-dressed bloggers made this one of my favorite events of the past year. Practically every week, I bump into one of the new friends I made at this luncheon; that is, perhaps, the best part of all.”

New this year are the Carolina Bloggin’ Weblog awards.

The ‘Carolina Bloggies’ will present nine awards to the bloggers who get the most votes in the categories of: Best Political Blog, Best Beauty or Fashion Blog, Best ‘Mommy’ or Parenting Blog, Best Gossip or Entertainment Blog, Best Lifestyle Blog, Best Foodie Blog, Best Business Blog, Best Writing in a Blog and Blog of the Year.

While anyone can nominate a blog, a panel of bloggers and social media enthusiasts will cast the deciding ballots.

Carolina Bloggin’ encourages bloggers from the Lowcountry, Upstate, Midlands and the Rock Hill and Augusta areas to attend and nominate their favorite blogs. We want the entire state to be represented as our blogs are instrumental in shaping the world’s perception of South Carolina and Southerners.

The South Carolina State Fair will be in town during the luncheon so we invite bloggers to bring their families and enjoy a day at the fair also.

Registration and nominations are now open. But hurry because space is limited and nominations close September 12.

For more information, visit our blog at CarolinaBloggin.com, or e-mail us at CarolinaBlogging@hotmail.com, or tweet us at @CarolinaBloggin, or see us on 
Facebook at Carolina Blogging.

[This post was written by Teowonna Clifton of Carolina Bloggin.]