23 Sep Travel Blogger Conference TBEX 2012: SWAG

Posted at 07:53h in Location Independent Jobs, Travel Job Tips by
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Movie stars get them. Orpah’s audience never misses out. And Traveler bloggers – they are no exception.There are a myriad of reasons to become a travel blogger -free trips and to get paid to travel for some, or  commitment to self-inflicted poverty and lack of domestic dating options come to mind  for others– but the numero uno reason to take up this noble lifestyle of modesty and self-deprecation is for the SWAG.

Although after my last conference in Europe I vowed to never again attend a conference, at least not until Jack Daniels apologizes for last time’s debacle, here I am in Girona Spain. I couldn’t help myself – too many adventurous, crazy, sexy, fun, nomadic, wandering, heroic, fearless folk who get paid to travel in one place to resist – so I decided to attend the renowned Travel Blog Exchange conference (TBEX) 2012 to see what all the hubhub was about.

SWAG BAG baby. Every lucky attendee to TBEX 2012 is given this gift bag from TBEX sponsors as a helpful reminder of just what they [the travel blogger] mean to them [the travel industry]. Forget the urge to get paid to travel, not when you have SWAG like this.

Starting off, the gift bag contains this stylish shirt. Hip designs and high thread counts aren’t the only thing making this item a new staple in your travel assemble. This one is built with the versatile traveler in mind. Whether you like the newest, baggy 2x look or simply need another night shirt to fit the whole fam in, this one’s got you covered.

the finest 65 thread count Chinese cotton

Need a new keychain to impress the friends, family and ladies? No problem, TBEX SWAG has got your back. While 95% of keychains are built as bottle openers or in shape of Jesus, this guy stands out from the crowd as it is so heavy it can weigh down papers or anything else that might be blown away in gale force winds.

perfect for the global nomad with no keys

Bitten by a rattle snake and need to cover that wound? Scrapped up from that bicycle stunt and can’t wait for the medics? No fear. This SWAG has got you covered. Designed as a bright orange container so as to not to be missed, this guy can easily fit in any pocket, from tuxedo to biker shorts. Forget your iPhone, wallet or any other pocket space waster, this one will sure to be come in handy once a year or so. Don’t leave home without it, or just leave home with $.25 to get a new one.

durable bandaids perfect for the ladies high heel wounds, except I don’t ever recall traveler girls wearing anything but plastic sandals

Daring to be different, this next SWAG item suits the hostel backpacker blogger to high-end luxury bloggers alike. Too big for espresso, too small for your morning coffee, this porcelain cup makes the perfect travel companion. Its subtle decorations and absolute non-utility make it a must for any travel blogger on the job. Whether hiking in the Himalayas or going on a 4 days cruise in the Bahamas, don’t leave home without triple wrapping this fragile decorative cup.

so elegant I will use it in my non-existant home on my non-existant house guests

With the forethought of both Bush administrations put together, we have our last SWAG item and most applauded gift item: the wine corkscrew. This gift is built with travel bloggers in mind, appealing to their ravenous alcoholic tendencies as well as their love of long, deep conversations with airport personale.

Haven’t had a good colonoscopy lately by the TSA? Bring this SWAG on your next travel adventure and get one free of charge

Can’t wait to see what’s inside TBEX 2013 Toronto traveler conscious gift bags – for my two cents, I recommend hack saws and paper clips.

Turner barr
turnerbarr@gmail.com

Hi, my name is Turner. I travel the world, hustle to find interesting jobs, and write about what happens when you read too many self-help books.

18 Comments
  • Vagabondette
    Posted at 08:13h, 23 September

    Lol…pretty much my thoughts exactly. There are about a dozen other things to give away that would have been really useful and kept rather than left behind in hotel rooms around girona.

    • Turner
      Posted at 09:22h, 23 September

      Yes. Although the wine cork was light weight and appealed to me on many levels, it will not be going near my luggage. Maybe next time they can swag some wine bottles instead. Walks of Italy guy Stephen is top notch and on point.

  • Mica
    Posted at 08:52h, 23 September

    I still feel bad I wasn’t able to fly to Girona for TBEX 😐 I blame myself for being too lazy to apply for the Schengen visa. Have fun on the upcoming tours! 😀

    • Turner
      Posted at 09:18h, 23 September

      I unfortunately did get any tours as I signed up late. But they had loads of free accommodation if you wished for after the conference.

  • Nomadic Samuel
    Posted at 10:05h, 25 September

    “so elegant I will use it in my non-existant home on my non-existant house guests” 

    I really missed out by not coming 😛

    • Turner
      Posted at 11:05h, 25 September

      just take off your pants, drink too much, and vandalize public property and it is pretty much the same thing.

  • Andrew Caldwell
    Posted at 17:31h, 25 September

    seriously? where’s the USB key maybe? Or I dunno, a small flash-light for those dodgy hostels, I don’t think they thought this swag through…

    • Turner
      Posted at 15:36h, 26 September

      Actually I got a USB from the same people who did the key chain. Don’t know why they didn’t go with that. I could of used done onboard wifi or some free apps.

  • Victoria
    Posted at 12:28h, 26 September

    Turner, you forgot to mention the best present of all – the dead sea mud, which is clearly a must on every backpacker’s list. 
    Great meeting you at TBEX. Hope to see you in Colombia x 

    • Turner
      Posted at 15:38h, 26 September

      I didn’t get that. I could use it to keep me looking fresh. Now I am like expired vegetables that no one wants to eat.

  • Gary Bembridge
    Posted at 03:06h, 29 September

    Like you excitedly snapped pics of the swag bag. when got home and shared it with  the other half did not seem as exciting as was at the time….. 😉

    • Turner
      Posted at 07:58h, 01 October

      Yeah. Mostly garbage. However the karma gods have spoken. Within two days of this post, I cut open my foot, needed a wine opener and needed a cup for the wine. Now I just need to lose my keys and be stuck outside in the cold without a shirt for things to come full circle.

      • Gary Bembridge
        Posted at 08:37h, 01 October

         Yikes. The Karma Swag Gods were a bit testing for you. Mine just struck me down with a stinking cold. Not found any use for the stuff in bag for that….. yet….. 😉

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  • Jerry Selayro
    Posted at 22:23h, 08 October

    If you happen to pass by Dubai, UAE. Drop me a note!
    http://bugipogi.wordpress.com/ 

  • Natalie T.
    Posted at 08:33h, 16 October

    Nice! No pressure on Toronto though..I like the cup! Bring the cup to TO. 🙂 

    • Turner
      Posted at 12:14h, 17 October

      I used the corkscrew tonight in fact. Yes the cup is beautiful, my mother will enjoy it when it arrives in pieces.

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