Last week I (Andi) went to the ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas. It is the largest annual baby business trade show in the world, and it housed thousands of exhibitors. I went as a guest with no real ties to any business. I basically spent the four trade show days wandering around meeting old friends, new friends, and talking more than I ever have. I used to own a baby business a long time ago, so it was awesome being able to catch up with some of my old suppliers. So I tended to rotate through my various roles of former business owner, babywearing educator, and birth doula.

I used the opportunity to connect with some of our current lending library sponsors, and also build some new relationships with new sponsors. The lending library grew by four carriers after the ABC Kids Expo, including an Onya, Tula standard, Beco ring sling, and a Twingaroo carrier. I cannot express the amount of gratitude I have for the businesses and the individuals that put their faith in me and donated a carrier, thank you.

I also met some wonderful people within the babywearing community who continually inspire me with their knowledge, compassion, and overall radness. At the BCIA meeting I think we all bonded over being awkward, and that is okay… because really, the world would be pretty boring without some rad awkward folk to liven things up a bit. So here’s a cheers to the strong women and men that lead the babywearing industry today and who started it eons ago, and to those who continue to spread the babywearing love with every awkward conversation they have (cough cough… BCIA meeting).

Jillian from PaxBaby ^^

Colleen from Wrapsody, who is indeed the most awkward of them all. But definitely my favourite brand of awkward. xoxo  

Lindsay and I with Julie from Beco (who is rad BTW) and Jessica of The Leaky Boob.

So now as promised, I have a giveaway for you! Basically, while I was wandering around, I noticed all the awesome swag that businesses were giving away, so I started approaching them and telling them about my idea for a giveaway. I decided to make a Mother of all Swag Bags giveaway, full of all sorts of goodies that were only available at the expo, and then some.

So without further ado, here is what is included in the swag bag:

• Expo bag full of everything that came inside the bag at the Expo
• Molly’s Suds Cloth Diaper detergent
• Peas in a Pod gift set
• Head wrap from Wrapsody Baby
• Babywearing bumper stickers
• Moby Klean Kanteen cup
• Fingerless knit gloves by Moby
• Exclusive Moby bracelets
• KangaCare TokiDoki buttons and “Frenzies” – whoever wins must tell me which Frenzie they get
• PlanetWise wet/dry bag AND snack size bag
• Beco Koozie (what what?!)
• Wean Green container with jelly beans
• BumGenius pen and chap stick
• TULA bunny made out of their newly released blanket!! (this is soooo soft!)
• beads from Fremont Street 😉
• and more!!

Click the image below to enter the giveaway!

Good luck, and please share this giveaway with all your friends! Giveaway is open to Canadian and U.S. residents.