My Work-cation at ReThink Hawaii

When Christine Lu contacts me about an event, I do everything I can to show up. She is one of those connectors that brings interesting people together to spark amazing discussions. My husband Neil Blecherman and I decided to join go to the ReThink Hawaii conference after she notified us. We not only looked at it as a chance to network and  but as a vacation; we had not been away for longer then a day together in 10 years - since we started our wonderful family of 3 boys!!.

Photo Credit: Kris Krug

Here is a picture of the ReThink Hawaii attendees, my husband and I are in the middle left - Christine Lu is at the front. Because we wanted to spend some time at the beach, we did not get to attend all the sessions. On the last day we enjoyed going to TEDx Honolulu just before we jumped on the plane. I enjoyed seeing the TEDx video to explain the passion that is spreading around the world. The TEDx Honolulu organizers (including L.P. “Neenz” Faleafine and Traci Toguchi and also did a great job of pulling together a compelling program. I look forward to when the TEDx  Honolulu videos are loaded. Of course, I am somewhat bias because of my excitement to hear my husband's TEDx speech (Neil Blecherman).

Being in semi-vacation mode, I decided to cover this trip via smartphone - using Twitter to capture my thoughts.My husband attended the Sustainablity/Eco session we both attended Social Media Business Summit Co-organized by Christine Lu, Rick Calver, Jim Turner.  I enjoyed speaking on a panel at the summit about Parent Bloggers with Jim Turner. The "Re-tweets" below with my picture are from an attendee who shared some of my key thoughts as I spoke. I also enjoyed hearing Jim Turner's perspective as one of the original parent bloggers who also runs a successful media business called One by One Media. We both shared that we don't make money from blogging - blogging is a way for us to share our voice. We have other businesses that compliment the blogging. I summarized a few of my key answers when asked why I blog.  Why TechMama blogs: "blogging a great platform for creating an online brand and image, blogging creates my voice but make money on other things (i.e. books, consulting), the three overall reasons I blog is community -relevance - voice. that's why "

Here is a summary of my Twitter stream from the conference. I will be looking at new ways to micro-blog, including trying the BlackBerry Whrrl app I just loaded.

TechMama's Twitter Stream from ReThink Hawaii:

1. @Techmama:
   Also had the chance to hear @tracitoguchi beautiful music while in Hawaii ! http://www.tracitoguchi.com/music.html 1:47 PM Nov 6th 
2. techmama
   Great job by @tedxhonolulu #tedxhnl organizers http://www.tedxhonolulu.com/organizers/ @neenz , @tracitoguchi and connector @christinelu 1:41 PM Nov 6th
3. techmama
   Sorry I missed great #tedxhnl talk by Henk Rogers http://bit.ly/OFX0m 1:37 PM Nov 6th 
4. techmama
   Had2leave for airplane, but also heard great things about #tedxhnl talks by @jillbuck http://bit.ly/2tXzWY, @kaiserkuo http://bit.ly/3ChQfS 1:37 PM Nov 6th 
5. techmama
   Excited to have heard hubby @neilblecherman give great talk at #tedxhnl about http://bit.ly/369oK #Intel Sustainability programs 1:36 PM Nov 6th 
6. techmama
   Enjoyed meeting @leahlamb from @current_green http://current.com/green/ at #ReThink 10:35 AM Nov 6th 
7. techmama
   RT @HawaiianKiko #ALOHA Friday #SURF @thedailydish @jeannemariepics @dkmashino @makeitagreatday @jamespizon @techmama @Zippys @DavidCantone 9:49 AM Nov 6th 
8. techmama
   RT @leahlamb #rethink treats: @christinelu @jowyang @jkretch @kk @neenz @amanda @genuine @blogworld @davemcclure @techmama @MjBubbles @rmmdc 9:48 AM Nov 6th 
9. techmama
   #ff toINSPIRING #ReThink Hawaii org. http://bit.ly/rEnOS incl. @christinelu @neenz @CfNoble @genuine @blogworld @mjbubbles @davemcclure #fb 8:38 AM Nov 6th 
10. techmama
    RT @SeeMomRunBook #ff @parentopiadevra @techmama @rolemommy @multitaskingme @keepitclassyjen @ohmariana @twincident @amndaj @treerootandtwig 8:27 AM Nov 6th 
11. techmama
    RT @neilblecherman says: Grassroots efforts for sustainability is happening at the employee level @intel. #tedxhnl 2:43 PM Nov 5th 
12. techmama
    RT @NEENZ: Educated Workforce is a big asset in attracting new business. @jillbuck #tedxhnl http://myloc.me/1lVAm 2:40 PM Nov 5th 
13. techmama
    RT @lavasusan Intel's 4th focus:tech 2solve environmental challenges. Ex: decrease travel=videoconferencing, desktop sharing IT. #tedxhnl 2:39 PM Nov 5th 
14. techmama
    RT @christinelu Jason Tom at #TEDxHNL human synthesizer. Amazing!!! #rethink http://post.ly/Bktx 2:37 PM Nov 5th 
15. techmama
    RT @billso - @kaiserkuo: we need to be better informed so we can use Internet & social networks for positive change. #tedxhnl 2:35 PM Nov 5th 
16. techmama
    RT @leahlamb: TED talk on importance of "play" -- we forget that as adults. We remember it during #goap #rethink #tedxhnl (via @christinelu 1:23 PM Nov 5th 
17. techmama
    RT @neenz: Henk Rogers talking about his shift from board games to RPG to computer games to mobile games. #tedxhnl 1:23 PM Nov 5th 
18. techmama
    RT @elliottng: #tedxhnl Henk Rogers (videogame pioneer) working on virtual goods...new project http://bit.ly/gvGLce 1:22 PM Nov 5th 
19. techmama
    http://twitpic.com/odxd3 - #TEDxHNL @neenz and @neilblecherman 11:23 AM Nov 5th 
20. techmama
    http://twitpic.com/odx2b - #TEDxHNL @neenz welcoming everyone 11:21 AM Nov 5th f
21. techmama
    http://twitpic.com/odvqj - Listening to beautiful Hawaiian song at #TEDxHNL 
22. techmama
    http://twitpic.com/odsoq - Intro slide to @TEDxHonolulu 10:48 AM Nov 5th 
23. techmama
    http://twitpic.com/odrxj - @kaiserkuo @neilblecherman @jillbuck getting ready to speak at @TEDxHonolulu #fb 10:42 AM Nov 5th 
24. techmama
    http://twitpic.com/odpnn - @neenz and @neilblecherman getting ready for @TEDxHonolulu 10:25 AM Nov 5th 
25. techmama
    /RT @kk @jowyang: Group photo by @kk of the #rethink Hawaii crew http://www.flickr.com/photos/kk/4076106021/sizes/l/ (well, most of group) 12:01 AM Nov 5th 
26. techmama
    RT @tedxhonolulu TEDxHonolulu Speaker: Jill Buck | TEDxHonolulu http://bit.ly/1M08RW 11:52 PM Nov 4th 
27. techmama
    RT @tedxhonolulu TEDxHonolulu Speaker: Neil Blecherman | TEDxHonolulu http://bit.ly/11uiuI 11:51 PM Nov 4th 
28. techmama
    Off to last cocktail meetup w/ #ReThink Hawaii group, sitting on bench near beach thinking that we have2bring our boys2 Hawaii! 8:49 PM Nov 4th 
29. techmama
    #ReThink we are cyber thanking @pierre Ulupono Initiative http://www.uluponoiniative.com 7:11 PM Nov 4th 
30. techmama
    @christinelu is presenting closing info, many have learned lots, connected with new peeps, and really enjoyed being in #Hawaii ! #rethink 7:09 PM Nov 4th 
31. techmama
    #ReThink Hawaii @jowyang: recent changes- google's social network gains, Facebook strives to be open, search results impacted by Twitter 6:55 PM Nov 4th 
32. #ReThink Hawaii @jowyang future of social media&business: social personalization ( content & advertising based on social web profiles) 6:49 PM Nov 4th 
33. techmama
    #ReThink Hawaii @jowyang future of social media: companies should develop holistic plan2have same cust experience throughtout sales process 6:45 PM Nov 4th 
34.  techmama
    #ReThink Hawaii @jowyang future of social media: Companies who can not meet social web needs of cust. need to develop cust advocacy programs 6:43 PM Nov 4th 
35. techmama
    #ReThink Hawaii @jowyang future of social media: 4th trend social CRM - cust support issues become PR issues-how can CRM systems be updated? 6:40 PM Nov 4th 
36. techmama
    #ReThink Hawaii @jowyang future of social media- 8 obj of listening ..incl track brand mentions 6:37 PM Nov 4th 
37. techmama
    #ReThink Hawaii @jowyang future of social media: anticipate customer needs, develop active listening, empower customer advocacy program 6:36 PM Nov 4th 
38. techmama
    #ReThink Hawaii @jowyang session: social web is now real time web (Google working with Twitter for social search) 6:33 PM Nov 4th 
39. techmama
    #ReThink Hawaii @jowyang session: Evolve corporate website: join cust. where they are and incorporate social technologies (ex. Is Echo) 6:32 PM Nov 4th 
40. techmama
    #ReThink Hawaii @jowyang trend: corporate websites less relevant, people trust neighbor/friends opinion&have tech to communicate w/eachother 6:30 PM Nov 4th 
41. techmama
    #ReThink Hawaii @jowyang Talking about Google side Wiki, makes any web page social 6:28 PM Nov 4th 
42. techmama
    @NEENZ: Great to finally meet you! @alltop is my online magazine rack& is great resource for me to find online sites for dif topics #rethink 5:43 PM Nov 4th 
43. techmama
    RT @NEENZ: Our Moms topic on @alltop was built w/help from @techmama she then went on to build a nation of women bloggers #rethink 5:40 PM Nov 4th 
44. techmama
    http://twitpic.com/oaqfl - Sneaking out of conference to take my first swim in lovely Hawaii ocean 3:51 PM Nov 4th 
45. techmama
    FeelingThankful2 #ReThink organizers for such a fabulous event - @christinelu , chris noble, @davemcclure , @genuine, @blogworld and more.. 3:30 PM Nov 4th 
46. techmama
    @amauiblog talking about maui mom blogger community - incl OhanaMama (they do tweetups w/ bloggers from other islands) 2:30 PM Nov 4th 
47. techmama
    #ReThink @coachdeb hint: softsell = product placement in your favorite show 2:08 PM Nov 4th f
48. techmama
    #ReThink Twitter session @coachdeb softsell: Indirect &gentle ears, speak from heart, share stories, be charming 2:04 PM Nov 4th 
49. techmama
    #ReThink Twitter session @coachdeb: softsell = PR, Twitter, Network Marketing, relationship building 1:59 PM Nov 4th 
50. techmama
    #ReThink @coachdeb hint: use Tweetglide.me 1:55 PM Nov 4th 
51. techmama
    #ReThink @coachdeb hint: tweetsR only archived 2 weeks -if you "favor" (gold star) your tweet it will be saved 1:55 PM Nov 4th 
52. techmama
    #ReThink Twittersession @coachdeb Tribal seduction formula: Captivate attention, hook emotion, advance trust,radiate desire, motivate2action 1:52 PM Nov 4th 
53. techmama
    #ReThink @coachded said good Twitter PR strategy: find out how you will be top of mind, it's how you will be remembered 1:48 PM Nov 4th 
54. techmama
    @coachdeb giving a great speech about finding your tribe (that you have something in common) on Twitter #ReThink Hawaii 1:45 PM Nov 4th 
55. techmama
    RT @bjgoldstein: blogging a great platform for creating an online brand and image @techmama #rethink 1:31 PM Nov 4th 
56. techmama
    RT @bjgoldstein: blogging creates my voice but make money on other things (i.e. books, consulting) @techmama #rethink 1:30 PM Nov 4th 
57. techmama
    RT @rethinkhawaii: community. relevance. voice. that's why @techmama blogs. #rethink 1:25 PM Nov 4th 
58. techmama
    http://twitpic.com/oa4u0 - So excited to meet my first Hawaiian Mommyblogger: @amauiblog Liza #ReThink Hawaii
59. techmama @genuine Jim Turner social media talk: SEO worthy original content may be more effective then press releases #ReThink Blogworld Hawaii 12:09 PM Nov 4th 
60. techmama
    Next up, @genuine and @techmama talk about moms & dads in social meda (I won't be tweeting - will be talking) #ReThink BlogWorld Hawaii 12:03 PM Nov 4th 
61. techmama
    @genuine Jim Turner talk about social media metaphor "relationship first" THEN the sale #ReThink Blogworld Hawaii 11:57 AM Nov 4th 
62. techmama
    @genuine talk #ReThink BlogWorld Listening ex.: Home Depot used Twitter in disaster situation2let customers know where2buy timber&supplies 11:53 AM Nov 4th 
63. techmama
    Listening to @genuine Jim Turner talk about ROI of social media: building a brand, build army of evangelists #ReThink Blogworld Hawaii 11:47 AM Nov 4th f
64. techmama  Listening @genuine Jim Turner talk ROI benefits of social media: SEO, Metrics/Analytics, more effic.& affordable #ReThink Blogworld Hawaii 11:45 AM Nov 4th 
65. techmama
    Listening to @genuine Jim Turner talk- listening also incl. brand & reputation monitoring, conversation&feedback #ReThink Blogworld Hawaii 11:43 AM Nov 4th 
66. techmama
    Listening to @genuine Jim Turner talk about listening to customers is the new marketing #ReThink Blogworld Hawaii 11:40 AM Nov 4th 
67. techmama
    Listening to @genuine Jim Turner - 2009 is year of Listening, listening is the new marketing #ReThink Hawaii 11:39 AM Nov 4th f
68.  techmama
    Listening to @genuine Jim Turner talk about social media is not silver bullet, findability is key 11:38 AM Nov 4th 
69. techmama
    http://twitpic.com/o9qfy - Listening to @genuine Jim Turner talk about social web (Twitter, Facebook etc.) #ReThink Hawaii 11:35 AM Nov 4th 
70. techmama
    http://twitpic.com/o9prv - Listening to @genuine Jim Turner talk about Participatory Marketing at BlogWorld #ReThink Hawaii 11:30 AM Nov 4th 
71. techmama
    http://twitpic.com/o9ob0 - Watching @genuine Jim Turner & @Blogworld Rick welcome everyone to BlogWorld summit at #ReThink Hawaii #goap 11:18 AM Nov 4th 
72. techmama
    Retweet @mayhemstudios Check out this SlideShare Presentation : Kodak Social Media Tips http://bit.ly/48fVwZ #140conf 10:58 PM Nov 3rd 
73. techmama
    http://twitpic.com/o7t9t - @davemcclure talking about upcoming Geeks on a Plane events #goap #ReThink Hawaii 10:02 PM Nov 3rd 
74. techmama
    http://twitpic.com/o7seh - @davemcclure @christinelu welcoming us at day 2 cocktail party #goap #Rethink 9:51 PM Nov 3rd 
75. techmama
    http://twitpic.com/o7i0z - @mikebutcher @kk in front of Navy missle landmark- Pearl Harbor #goap #ReThink Hawaii 8:05 PM Nov 3rd 
76. techmama:  @techsavvymama Tell me more about Nokia #N97, just saw one that a friend had last night 7:43 PM Nov 3rd 
77. techmama: Leaving @PacificAviation Museum Pearl Harbor, great museum with very knowledgable docents #ReThink Hawaii 7:23 PM Nov 3rd 
78. techmama: Talking with a fellow geek mom @tanyanoel at #ReThink Hawaii 6:50 PM Nov 3rd
79. techmama: http://twitpic.com/o78u5 Met Pacific Aviation Dir. of Mktg @Annemurata & Marketing Coord. @arasak #ReThink Hawaii (tweeting next to me!) 
80. techmama:@PacificAviation The Pearl Harbor museum is great! Thanks for the amazing tour:-) 6:31 PM Nov 3rd 
81. techmama:@mammaloves yes it is incredible to think of what they went through at Pearl Harbor - did you tour museum? 6:26 PM Nov 3rd 
82. techmama: http://twitpic.com/o76ci At Pearl Habor museum looking at Aeronca 65TC small plane user in air during attack #ReThink #Hawaii 6:26 PM Nov 3rd 
83. techmama: http://twitpic.com/o75ru A geek f/"Geeks on a plane/#ReThink Hawaii" showing us how big the Pearl Harbor missles were 6:22 PM Nov 3rd 
84. http://twitpic.com/o758e - techmama:At Pearl Habor museum looking at painting #ReThink #Hawai 6:18 PM Nov 3rd 
85. http://twitpic.com/o74qa - techmama:Hanging out with hubby and sailors at Pearl Harbor museum Hawaii 6:14 PM Nov 3rd 
86. techmama: Touring Pear Harbor Hawaii is making me think of amazing crew of USS_Nimitz and the blogger embark team 6:07 PM Nov 3rd 
87. http://twitpic.com/o72zv - techmama:At Pearl Habor museum hanger looking at H-3 (same helicopter Presidents use) #ReThink #Hawai 6:00 PM Nov 3rd 
88. http://twitpic.com/o72li - techmama:At Pearl Habor museum hanger looking at restoration area #ReThink Hawaii 5:57 PM Nov 3rd 
89. http://twitpic.com/o724y - techmama:At Pearl Habor museum hanger looking at F-14 Top Gun #ReThink #Hawaii 5:53 PM Nov 3rd 
90. http://twitpic.com/o71to - techmama:At Pearl Habor museum hanger, bullet holes in green windows are from Dec. 7 1941 5:51 PM Nov 3rd 
91. techmama: RT @elliottng #rethink RT @mashraqi: @jillbuck's GoGreenInitiative conserved 27M gallons(water), 34,500 barrels(oil), 67B BTUs (energy) 2:11 PM Nov 3rd 
92. techmama:@leahlamb Thanks for cyber intro2 @ecodads ,My hubby who I consider an ecodad @neilblecherman showed that great site to me as well. go #eco 1:59 PM Nov 3rd 
93. techmama:Looking at the CurrentTV Green site after meeting http://current.com/green/ after meeting @Leahlamb at #ReThink Hawaii 1:44 PM Nov 3rd 
94. techmama:@christinelu @CFNoble, @davemcclure & all #ReThink Hawaii organizers http://bit.ly/rEnOS did great job, fun has already started 1:22 PM Nov 3rd 
95. techmama:Enjoyed meeting @blogworld Rick Calvert & @GENUINE Jim Turner at #ReThink Hawaii, looking forward to #BlogWorld Social Media Summit on Wed. 1:13 PM Nov 3rd 
96. http://twitpic.com/o5oy5 - #fb techmama: Watching #ReThink Hawaii Env. Innovation panel w/@neilblecherman @leahlamb @jillbuck & Jeff Mikulina 11:59 AM Nov 3rd 
97. techmama: http://twitpic.com/o5aom - This is my new favorite workspace, at balcony in Wakiki #rethink #Hawaii 10:14 AM Nov 3rd
98. techmama: http://twitpic.com/o3im8 @davemcclure and @neilblecherman at #rethink Hawaii 9:22 PM Nov 2nd 
99. techmama:  http://twitpic.com/o2aneLooking at Waikiki Beach, thinking that being a geek is fun! #rethink