We are taking a trip across the globe to Salt Lake City, Utah, USA with this weeks Guest Blogger, Petina Watkins. Petina is the marketing co-ordinator at Oye Modern and was very fortunate to attend Altitude Design Summit a couple of weeks ago. This week Petina will be bringing us some of the highlights of her time at the worlds biggest design blogging conference. Thanks Petina! -Jenny x

Hi, I’m Petina!  Image from i like you world and Oye Modern

Fellow Bloggers & Creative Friends - Are you keen to learn about the art of blogging from some of the best design bloggers in the world?

My name is Petina and I’m in love with good design. I’m the marketing co-ordinator at Oye Modern – an Australian online jewellery store committed to seeking out the best and most innovative modern jewellery designers from here and abroad.  I also have a personal design blog called I like you world.

Last week I attended Altitude Summit, a design conference for bloggers in Salt Lake City, Utah. Stick around as over the next few days I will share with you highlights of the conference including what I learned from the business panels, and photos of the amazing parties put on by Alt Summit. Today, I will be telling you about what happened on my first day in Salt Lake City.

Grand America Hotel - Image by Brooke Ashley Dennis from alt summit flickr

Getting from Sydney to Salt Lake City took over 24 hours travelling time, 3 planes and several hours in transit. I finally arrived in Salt Lake City giddy with excitement and also slightly worried about whether I’d packed enough warm clothing.  I needn’t have worried. Checking into the Grand America Hotel where the summit was to take place, I quickly realised that the hotel was well heated.  It was also, as the name implies, very grand!  I had arrived a day before the Summit began so I had a chance to have a good look around the hotel.

Images by Moss + Issac from alt summit flickr

There were chandeliers everywhere, a beautiful toy store, a ‘ladies’ cocktail lounge (men were allowed), a cupcake shop and a macarons stand.

I went downstairs to register for the summit and received a big gift box, which all attendees receive. Free goodies!

What’s inside...? Free Goodies!  Images by Moss + Isaac from alt summit flickr and  oye modern

I also met my two roomies, Jana from Little Bird Soda Co. and Dayle from Made by Soda Pop, who I’d only previously met on Twitter! We bonded over cocktails and shared stories into the wee hours.

Room service in my fancy room? Yes, please!  Image from oye modern

Tomorrow I will be sharing with you the first round of panels and photos of the amazing White Party. See you then!

- Petina x

Getting read to learn! - Image by Justin Hackworth from alt summit flickr