Event recap: Bloggers On Top – a travel bloggers unconference in Bulgaria

#BloggersOnTop is a bloggers weekend in Bansko, Bulgaria gathering together a dedicated group of content creators to discuss the ins and outs of blogging as a profession.

This event recap was written by Maria Stoyanova – a travel blogger herself and Travel Massive Sofia leader. 

Following last year’s success, Bloggers on Top was again organized and hosted by Coworking Bansko, in the mountain town of Bansko, located only two hours from the Bulgarian capital.

What’s unique about this event is that it focuses on attracting only a small number of participants so everyone can get the best out of the unconference. Around 25 bloggers, vloggers, and other content creators participated in the event.

The format  is quite curious as well – unconferences don’t have a program. The participants are the ones deciding all the sessions and topics they want to discuss or learn more about. Everyone was encouraged to contribute with their knowledge and experience by leading a session or to suggest one that they want to learn more about.

After a quick discussion, the content creators came up with sessions about SEO, monetizing a blog, Instagram tips and tricks, Pinterest growing techniques, branding, etc.

Besides the educational part, participants had the chance to get to know Bansko better with a fun Instawalk, by trying traditional Bulgarian wine and food, meeting and talking with locals and enjoying the fresh mountain air.

Partners of the event were the tour operator Loyal Travel, ASTOM – the association of travel bloggers in Bulgaria – and ABUJET (Bulgarian Association of journalists and travel writers), and Shape Style Studio who created the video from the event:

What the participants had to say about Bloggers on Top

Elena Ivanova, a Bulgarian blogger at Drumi v Dumi: Bloggers on Top was one of the best blogger event I have attended so far. Despite the fact that I learned some really useful blogging tricks, I met other bloggers there and had the chance to exchange knowledge. I like the town of Bansko very much and have been there several times recently, mostly to climb Pirin Mountains’ peaks. My last visit in Bansko was quite different as it was fully devoted to Bloggers on Top.

Alice Nettleingham, a British blogger at Teacake Travels: Bloggers on Top is a great introduction for budding new bloggers to get together and brainstorm their goals, creative ideas and developing technical skills together. Set in the beautiful town of Bansko within the mountains of Bulgaria, it’s the perfect place to set your intentions and thrive in a digital community.

Maria Spyrou, a Greek blogger at It’s All Trip to Me: Attending the Bloggers On Top 2018 Unconference in Bansko was a fantastic experience for us. Meeting so many like-minded people who share our passion for travel felt really good. We also loved the casual ambience of the unconference. We learned so many things from actually discussing with fellow bloggers rather than silently listening to one speaker after another.

Maria also wrote a great guide about Bansko after attending Bloggers on Top.

Thanks to everyone that attended and joined the discussion.

Connect with Maria Stoyanova on Travel Massive and join Travel Massive Sofia to get updates for future events.