The Carey Adventures » British Columbia

The Semi Non-Unofficial Preparation Guide To Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX) 2011 In Vancouver, Canada

Peter West Carey — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 19:59:31 +0000

It’s almost here! By almost, I mean less than two months away. TBEX. An annual (and then some) gathering of travel bloggers, marketers, PR folks and other travel industry hooligans with the sole purpose of having a number of parties. No, I mean. It’s a time to bond, to learn, to grow, to hope Gary uses the word ‘porn‘ in a presentation again. And then party.

As TBEX has grown from the initial, “What the heck are we doing here and what are we going to learn?” event in 2009 to its current status as an international destination celebration of all that is travel bloggy, so has the need to prepare. What can’t you live without at this year’s TBEX conference?

Needed at this year’s TBEX:

Passport

I know, it’s just Canada to those of us in the USA. Evidently this whole time that has meant they are their own country. And they have a flag to prove it. You need a passport to get in there now, or one of those fancy enhanced drivers license. If you’re from a country other than the USA, the need for a passport is probably already glaringly obvious to you. We’re a bit slow down here.

iPhone

Everyone else (except me) will have one and you should too. Don’t ask why. The herd will trample the weak.

International Cell Coverage

For me this is a big problem. I have the world’s oldest cell phone and I like it that way, except when it comes to travel. Because it works no where. I once got an international calling plan but found it hecka expensive. Yet, if you want to stay in touch and find parties, you might want an international calling plan. Me? I’ll be roaming the streets aimlessly looking for a likely group of people all looking at their phones checking in to foursquare.

The Handy Visitor’s Guide

WhyGo Canada, one of the event’s sponsors, has a handy First Time Visitors Guide post chalk full of useful info for you YVR newbs.

A Camera

No wait, don’t bring a camera. There will be 10,000 other cameras there (everyone has two, by law) and the amount of flashes going off at any given party is enough to put a Judas Priest concert to shame. You’ll be in enough other people’s photos. And you brought an iPhone, so you don’t need another camera.

Map Of Vancouver

You’re going to get lost. Get a map. Here’s the Vancouver Tourism’s page to suit your needs. Those are handy PDF versions to download into your iPhone.

Business Cards

And plenty of them. It looks like there will be 600ish attendees. You might not meet them all, but it’s best to be prepared. I also have a personal quest for this TBEX. My daughter is in the ‘collecting things’ phase of her life and she is making a collage on a huge piece of paper of various business cards. Being the Loving Dad that I am, I plan on grabbing as many of your cards as I can while at TBEX. So bring different versions, too. Order them now!

Something To Share

TBEX is about meeting other travelers and it’s also about sharing experiences. You will find a number of people who have not only been where you’ve been, but also who want to go where you’ve been. Come prepared to share something insightful about where you’ve traveled, something other than a “10 Must See…” list.

A Place To Stay

If you haven’t booked a place to stay yet, it might be a good idea to get that ironed out. Vancouver Tourism has a handy list of hotels offering discounted rates for TBEX media folks. I’m beginning to think Vancouver Tourism likes us. There’s also room at a hip hostel a few (15) blocks from the convention center, but located along a bus line. Or ask Anny Chih if her couch is available.

Good Overview Of What To Expect

BootsnAll, a TBEX sponsor and very nice people to boot (har!), has put together a well researched and thoughtful post than this on what TBEX is about, how to make the most of your time, etc… Check it out here.

Ukulele

Pam will want to jam with you.

A Link To The Actual TBEX Event Page

Here it is.

A Spare Liver

And some aspirin.

Not needed at this year’s TBEX:

ID – You can drink when you are old enough to hold a can in Canada.

An Attitude – I’m not going to take you seriously, so just be yourself. And give me a business card for my contact-hoarding daughter.

Fancy Shoes – They hurt your feet every time you wear them, don’t they? It’s Canada, wear shorts and a pair of flip flops.

iPhone Charger – Do you know how many other people won’t have forgotten theirs? Plus it’s a way to break the ice at parties. “Hi, I need an iPhone charging cable,” is always a welcome introduction. Even if the Queen shows up (although she uses a Droid, so don’t ask).

Powder Blue Tuxedo – It’s been done. Try to top it, but don’t try to imitate it.

I look forward to seeing each and every one of you at TBEX. Come up, say, “Hi” and then promptly hand over five different versions of your business card to appease my daughter quest for calling card world domination.

Photo Of The Day – Ice Closing In

Peter West Carey — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 22:26:58 +0000

Title: Ice Closing In

Description: Haffner Creek resists the grasp of winter even as ice falls cover the walls of the canyon.

Location: Kootenay National Park, British Columbia, Canada, North America

Photograph Copyright Peter West Carey

This image for sale as a print (form below) or may be licensed for use

And don’t forget to or der your 2011 African Animals calendar!

Photo Of The Day – Tofino Storm Season Surfers – Tomasz Wagner

Peter West Carey — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 19:53:23 +0000

Title: Tofino Storm Season Surfers

Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Description: Tofino, located on the coast of Vancouver Island. Everyone always visits it during the summer. Not me.

Photograph Copyright Tomasz Wagner

Photo Of The Day – Holes

Peter West Carey — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 07:29:10 +0000

Title: Holes

Location: Pender Island, British Columbia, Canada

Photograph Copyright Peter West Carey

Photo Of The Day – Some Need Ice, Some Don’t

Peter West Carey — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:23:31 +0000

Title: Some Need Ice, Some Don’t

Location: Haffner Creek, Kootenay National Park, British Columbia, Canada

Known as mixed climbing, or sometimes called dry tooling when no ice is involved, climbing technical rock with ice tools is often necessary when the ice doesn’t make it all the way to the ground. Unlike the ice climber on the left, the mixed climber will attempt to simple place his tools and not smash into the rock, relying on balance and proper placement to advance up the rock.

Photography Copyright Peter West Carey

To Purchase or License A Copy Of This Photo, Contact Me.

Photo Of The Day – Rock And Ice

Peter West Carey — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:52:27 +0000

Title: Rock And Ice

Location: Haffner Creek, Kootenay National Park, British Columbia, Canada

Sorry no settings today. :(

Photograph Copyright Peter West Carey

Photo Of The Day – Cold Canyon

Peter West Carey — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:44:33 +0000

Title: Cold Canyon

Location: Haffner Creek, Albert, Canada

Photograph Copyright Peter West Carey

Photo Of The Day – Crossing The Waters

Peter West Carey — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:11:10 +0000

Title: Crossing The Waters

Location: Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada (MAP)

Photograph Copyright Peter West Carey

Photo Of The Day – Craddock Beach – Canada

Peter West Carey — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:25:21 +0000

Title: Craddock Beach

Location: South Pender Island, British Columbia, Canada (MAP)

Photograph Copyright Peter West Carey

Dents In British Columbia

Peter West Carey — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:56:28 +0000

In September, Pam was fortunate enough to be invited by BC Tourism for a little spin around the Gulf Islands of British Columbia, Canada…..in a 32′ RV. Fearing the worst may happen if she didn’t surround herself with a crack squad of experienced Road Trip experts, she still found a valid reason to invite Kelly and I. This was something new for both Pam and Kelly, neither of whom had driven such an RV.

The trip was a lot of fun and I still have posts to write about our adventures. There was one little mishap though.

What you are about to witness is a re-creation of actual events, followed by Pam’s “Lessons Learned” session when we returned our dented RV to Fraserway RV in Langley, BC. If you’d prefer to read Pam’s rendition of events, her blog does a wonderful job of that. And for the record, the dent is bigger than the video shows, plus we could not open that door again.