While bloggers from all over the world have made their way to New York Fashion Week, one of the most highly anticipated events doesn’t even involve a runway. The first ever international fashion blogger conference kicks off today thanks to Independent Fashion Bloggers. I have the pleasure of moderating the first panel kicking off at 10am EST on fashion blog marketing. Even if you’re not attending, you can peek inside the conference throughout the day because we are going to live stream at: http://heartifb.com/evolving-influence-live! Additionally, we have four bloggers planning to do live updates on their blogs – one during each panel (see below for more details).

We’re also doing a few giveaways to attendees at the conference. Windows 7, who will have an ”experience station” at the venue with new computers for bloggers to test out, and HP have graciously donated four HP Touchsmart tm2t laptops. You have to be on site to win and all you have to do to enter is tweet what you like about Windows 7 with hashtag #IFBW7HP. My Waggener Edstrom colleagues helped make this happen, so it’s exciting to see a little mix of work and play…plus I know from experience bloggers love their tech! I actually saw the tm2t notebooks at Vivienne Tam’s presentation a few days ago and they are really sexy! I doubt I’m eligible to win, but good luck to everyone else!

We’ll also be giving away some goodies from Clarisonic thanks to the hook up from my good friend Jess of Fresh Jess and Banyan Branch. She’s actually staying with me right now because she flew out to help with the conference!

More good stuff – my friends at Urban Signals are giving bloggers a free shuttle service all day with their “Hook Up Van.” The schedule is here…this was really generous because a lot of the shows are scattered and it’s bitter cold outside (not to mention lots of high heels and running around).

We are very lucky to have American Express and G-Star RAW sponsoring the conference. It’s so fulfilling to see IFB gaining traction from huge brands with a large presence at fashion week. The after party is taking place right after the conference and is being hosted by Coutorious (a new stylist website launching soon that basically allows you to play virtual dressing room).

We’ve also got lots of amazing panelists, so check out the full list below and don’t forget to tune in on the live stream! Here’s the schedule via IFB:

In 2009, fashion bloggers came under the media spotlight. Our readership has grown and our influence has expanded to the point where high-profile brands increasingly seek us out. We’ve expanded the possibilities of online conversation well beyond anyone’s imagination. So what next? How do we handle success? IFB — with the help of American Express, G-Star RAW and ModCloth — is proud to present EVOLVING INFLUENCE, a conference for fashion bloggers to discuss where we go from here.

Fashion Blog Marketing Workshop

10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Learn how the pros promote their sites. The experts will guide you through various strategies to build your readership including:

• Branding
• Community building
• Search engine optimization and link building
• Networking

Corinne Leigh -Threadbanger | Erika Miller – Elle.com | Pamela Castillo- Market Publique | Nichelle Pace – StyleMom | Melody Biringer – The CRAVE Company. With Influential Blog Presentation from YM Ousley Signature9.
Moderated by Jordana Bruner

Live Blogger: Sarah Conley of StyleIT

The Business of Blogging

1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

People say, “Do what you love.” Do you love blogging so much that you’re ready to go from hobby to career? In this panel — brought to you by Style Coalition — you’ll get expert advice on the business of blogging from those who’ve made careers in the blogosphere, as well as those who work with bloggers on a daily basis. They’ll cover:

• The future of blog monetization
• Working with companies
• Ads, product endorsements and sponsored posts
• Federal Trade Commission guidelines and their effects on the blogosphere

Gala Darling-iCiNG | Lauren Dimet Waters – Second City Style | Dina Fierro – Eye4Style, Attention! | Aubree Nichols-Urban Signals | Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond- BlueFly.com
Moderated by Yuli Ziv

Live Blogger: Vyque White of Fasshonaburu

Navigating Blog Ethics

3 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Is blogging really the “Wild West?” You hear stories of freebies, corporate seeding, unethical bloggers… you’re trying to be good, but what does this all mean? Get the scoop on ethics, lessons learned and how bloggers cope in the ever-changing media landscape.

• Creating original content
• Maintaining editorial integrity in an increasingly corporate space.
• Should journalism’s code of ethics apply to blogging?
• Fact finding, sourcing and crediting
• The ethics behind the Federal Trade Commission ruling… is it necessary?

Imran Amed – Business of Fashion | Diane Pernet – A Shaded View on Fashion | Jessica Schroeder – What I Wore | Gina Garrubbo, EVP – Blogher | Mary Scherpe - Stil in Berlin | Clark Hoyt - Public Editor, New York Times
Moderated by Wendy Brandes

Live Blogger: Joshua Kissi of Street Etiquette

The Future of Fashion Blogging

5 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Getting past the hype … Many of today’s great fashion bloggers started out with a passion and an obsessive nature. Now, some are them are seated front row and featured in the press. Do the news stories give a distorted view of “overnight” success? What happens tomorrow? Discussion topics include:

• How has blogging changed our lives?
• The blogging hype … is it good for our community? for our blogs?
• Professional vs. personal blogger
• Staying inspired in the long run

Susie Bubble - Style Bubble/Dazed Digital | Tavi Gevinson – Style Rookie | Bryanboy | Phil Oh – Street Peeper | Britt Aboutaleb & Lauren Sherman – Fashionista.com
Moderated by Jennine Tamm Jacob

Live Blogger: Julia DiNardo of Fashion Pulse Daily

Suggested donation is $20 a person. Donations will be used to help cover the costs of this event. Remaining funds will be allocated to improving the IFB website to benefit the blogging community. Your generosity is appreciated!

Image courtesy of Saga Sig

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