Today I am thrilled to announce the first step in planning BlogHer '09's agenda: Sessions! Sessions are just one part of the BlogHer conference experience, and we look forward to your help in each of these areas. Thanks for clicking on the links below to learn more about each part of the BlogHer agenda:

Today we are proud to announce the BlogHer '09 International Activist BlogHer scholarship program and invite you to submit yourself or your favorite international activist BlogHer for consideration for this scholarship.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of A Menu for Hope, the annual fund-raiser sponsored by Chez Pim where food bloggers all over the world unite to raise money for a designated charity. The campaign starts tomorrow and runs December 15-24. Donations will raise money for the UN World Food Program again this year, targeted to a school food program in Lesotho. Last year Menu for Hope raised $91,188.00, and even though economic times are tough right now, we know everyone will be as generous as they can again this year.

Every year, we announce that our annual BlogHer event will have something for everyone.And every year, we get lots of feedback like:I don't think I'm a big or important enough to go...I won't know anyone there..I can't go, I'm a dude!I'm not techie enough for a blog conference...I'm way too techie for a blog conference...So in case you -- or someone you know -- is feeling hesitant, here's our take. Please pass it on!For new and beginning bloggers

In case you missed the first announcement (which we made right before Thanksgiving, so we suppose it's possible that you were a little busy), registration for BlogHer '09 AND BlogHer Business '09 is OPEN! Click here to register: http://blogher09.eventbrite.com Our hotel/venue is ALSO taking reservations under the BlogHer room block now, too. You can make reservations by calling (877) 242-2558 and letting them know you're with BlogHer OR (NEW!) you can use this handy-dandy URL: http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/Blogher2009.

Just in time for Thanksgiving, we've added a new way to celebrate... Registration is now OPEN for BlogHer '09 and BlogHer Business '09! Just follow this link: http://blogher09.eventbrite.com/We hope you'll find this year's registration process easier and more straightforward than ever before.  And remember:- EarlyBird pricing is in effect through February 28. After that, the cost to attend the annual conference goes from $99/day to $149/day.

Good news! The Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, site of all things BlogHer '09 (including BlogHer Business '09, taking place on July 23) is now taking our reservations!To reserve your room via phone, just call (877) 242-2558 and let them know you're with BlogHer. As a reminder, BlogHer '09 takes place on Friday and Saturday, July 24-25. Our room rate is $199/night, and includes free in-room internet.

I'm starting to travel for work again at the rate of a 90 mph where I arrive home just in time to unpack, do laundry and then turn around and hop on another plane. All the while planning additional trips because stress is so very becoming on me. But as I go through the travel process again and again, I'm realizing that since starting my job that requires more time being probed by TSA than actual work, that I do have some good tips on being able to afford all of this travel since it seems that I need to like eat and stay and hotels and stuff.

Sometimes when looking for relevant sites with whom to swap media for our conferences I also find really cool stuff going on outside the conference realm. Silicon Valley Rocks! is one such cool event that BlogHer is happy to support (and that I look forward to attending).

Today we are pleased and proud to announce the theme, dates and location for BlogHer '09, our fifth annual conference.

One of my favorite seasons is upon us. I'm not alluding to sweater season or snowmen (though I'm all about those leather boots you're wearing, you fashion maven, you). I'm not even referring to the holiday season. Nope, I'm talking about something much, much hotter: BlogHer's annual summer conference.

While we're working on finalizing our BlogHer '09 venue contract, so we can announce that by the end of the month, I am happy to keep BlogHer '09 on your mind by announcing the Call for Ideas for BlogHer '09. If you're thinking this announcement seems earlier than last year, you are correct! We aim to have this Call for Ideas running for a month and to be able to announce at least a skeleton schedule before the end of the year! Question: Why a "Call for Ideas" and not a "Call for Speakers" or "Call for Proposals" or something like that?