Now that the fit-throwing one and a half year old is down for the night (yes, my perfect angel has her moments), I can FINALLY blog about my date with Google earlier this week. However, I do owe the fit-thrower many thanks. If it wasn’t for her, this great opportunity for me may not have happened.

Just over a month ago, I received an email from Jen, Sr. Event Planner at Google. Of course I asked myself, is she a real person and is this a legitimate email? The email said that she had been reading my blog and thought that I would be a great candidate for this “tech savvy mom’s” event that Google Chicago was hosting and that they would love to have me represent mommy bloggers. A rush of giddiness ran through me! I picked up the phone and dialed the number on the email to make sure it wasn’t fake and to see what the catch was. Turns out there was no catch. Jen was so pleasant over the phone and genuinely excited that I was able to attend. After it all sank in, I sat back and thought about how fabulous this whole thing was. Google wants to get the word out there that mom’s are a very important part of the tech world. We’re FINALLY getting noticed! Google wants ME! (fade scene)

I have been highly anticipating the “Mother’s Know Tech” event for the last month. I had already been corresponding back and forth with Stephanie from Adventures in Babywearing, so at least I knew someone that was going to be there. I prepared for my day by reading over some of the panel questions that were emailed. The questions consisted of things like, “How does the internet fit in to our daily routine?” and topics such as, “Mom Blogs, Social Networking, and Community”. Most importantly, they wanted the panel of six moms to give the audience of 100+ advertisers advice on what type of “mom” content we’d like to see on the internet and where we go to see it.

That being said, on to the day of the event!

I drove to downtown Chicago and navigated myself to the Google office.

I was greeted by Jen and led into a conference room where the other tech savvy moms were hanging out. We were fed and were then given a tour around the office. I must say, Google is definitely a place I’d like to work. What a vibrant, enthusiastic office! We were led into the cafe’ where the marketers and advertisers were anxiously awaiting OUR appearance (I’d like to think so anyway). Hey, we WERE the stars that day. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

The star panel of mothers:

(L-R: Sara – Self-Made Mom, Steph – Adventures in Babywearing, Madeleine – tech savvy mom, Jessica – tech savvy mom, MJ – I Want a Little Sugar in my Bowl and ME!)

Jim Leciski and Denise Chudy of Google lead off the presentation. Ok, I was NOT going to blog about this next part but since I can look back on it with a “little” bit of humor, I will. I started feeling ill at the beginning of the presentation. I was trying to talk myself out of it and I got to the point where there was nothing else I could do but run briskly walk out of that room. I cupped my hand over my mouth and asked someone where I could find the restroom and bolted! I made it JUST in time. When I say “just”, I mean “JUST”. No one had any idea what happened to me! Well, if you’re reading this, now you know. I got sick at GOOGLE! The employees there were so understanding and accommodating. I’m chalking this up to one of the most embarrassing things that has ever happened to me. I made it back to the cafe’ with just enough time to spare before getting up in front of the audience of advertisers. I missed Max Kalehoff of Nielsen Buzz Metrics‘ presentation and Kevin Kells, Consumer Product Goods Director’s presentation due to my abrupt departure but Sara live blogged at the event and you can see that info HERE.

We were placed on pedestals and fanned with palm leaves and fed grapes off the vine – OH, wait, that was just a dream I had last night. We sat up in front of the advertisers and we each gave a brief description of ourselves while a picture of us with our families and a snapshot of our blogs were displayed on the wall behind us (HOW COOL). This is the closest I’ve ever come to feeling famous but you can ask MJ about THAT.

We breezed through our list of panel questions like Hurley through a donut shop. Then it came time to see if the audience had any questions for us. Oh the suspense. I thought maybe one or two might take interest but then…several hands went up! Then more…five, six, they like us! They really like us!

The presentation ended and the six of us headed out to the various Google “stations” that were set up. The stations were set up to display the different Google programs (i.e. Blogger.com, Picasa, Google maps, Google checkout, etc.)

(L-R: me, Jen Bradburn – Google, MJ, Jessica, Steph)

What an exciting day! I personally was so thrilled with the response we received from Google and the advertisers. It felt so good to be a part of something that could potentially sway internet use in a positive way. Lord knows the net and I are attached at the hip so whatever good can come of this, I’m all for it!

I’ve compiled a list of sites and info I’ve found pertaining to this event, in case you’re interested in reading more or reading about the event from another blogger’s point-of-view. Turns out people are talkin’. All of my fellow mom panelists have already blogged about their experiences, those are included below as well.

* Official Google CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) Blog: Moms Know Tech post

* Official Google CPG Blog: Moms Know Tech Update post

* Mothers and Business Blog: Mothers in Business- Official Google CPG Blog: Moms Know Tech Update post

* Get that new Oracle Job! blog: Official Google CPG Blog: Moms Know Tech Update post

* Adventures in Babywearing blog: Google & Me: The Story post

* I want a little sugar in my bowl blog: Google Wants Me and I Want Them Back post

* Self-Made Mom blog: Never Really Been Pitched… post

* Self-Made Mom blog: Google event: MKT Discussion- some good facts for marketers (Sara’s live blogging) post

* Self-Made Mom blog: Google Event: Mother Approved Marketing Tools (Sara’s live blogging) post

* Self-Made Mom blog: I Know Google and Google Knows Me post

* A link to the Mother’s Know Tech content

So, there you have it! My fun and eventful day at Google’s Chicago office. I look forward to being a part of more events like this in the future. It definitely makes me feel like I’m helping to make a difference. Oh, it also makes me feel good because Eric is ALWAYS getting invited to things because of HIS blog…it’s MY turn!