Is GO Wild worth it? 📙 S01E07 

Hey Planner Pals! 😄 Hope you enjoyed this deep dive into GO Wild! Looking forward to reading your ideas about this episode's focus question; what would be included in your dream planner conference/retreat? 🤔 Also, if you were here when that awkward overlapping sound section was still in, you're certainly part of the early crew 😂 2+ hours of footage leaves a lot of room for editing mishaps 😝

I would love a bujo camp with max 50 participants, and smaller groups where we do different bujo themes, for 4 days.

This was my first GW experience and I volunteered. From a volunteer perspective, I enjoyed pumping up the attendees and working with the vendors, sponsors, and doing the actual prep work. I did not care for the unorganized communication of time changes, directions, etc from the volunteer leads. Unfortunately, the leads were very aloof and rude - even several of the veteran volunteers were extremely rude to me. One lead even cussed out another volunteer. 😳It almost ruined my experience to be honest. (And I worked retail for 10 years and have some thick skin, so that says a lot.) From an attendee perspective, I’m not sure what I spent was worth it. It was AMAZING to meet planner people and I met so many kind people and made a few planner besties! I also enjoyed the vendor fair with all the activities. On the other hand, the event wasn’t as organized as I’d expect from planner queens. I’m on the fence about giving GW another try (but I’m def not volunteering again). If you guys planned a retreat, I would love to see time to actually plan together like with LPA, doodle, practice lettering, etc. Maybe have some sessions where people share their favorite tools and how they use them, their planning habits, etc. And of course a “dash” of swag.

With regards to the sponsor table discussion, I can give this insight as someone who sponsors tables at GoWild! There are no requirements or guidelines for the sponsored tables - the product amount and value provided at each table is 100% up to the sponsor :)

A Planner Pals conference would be amazing. I agree with Mark on wanting more doing. Some big sessions/talks and then different sessions you sign up for. Also if doing sponsored tables have attendees rank tables, so top five, and then assign. I would have choose tables with less swag but whose stuff I loved if I could have found them at Go Wild. Maybe even have people sign up to show off their system, so others can be inspired by systems/spreads that don’t show up in online videos much. A showcase session so to speak. Definitely need more bujo representation. I was great meeting both of you and you both did wonderful onstage.

A&O seems to be the most logical choice to sponsor y'all for next year! The Bujo camp is a BRILLIANT idea.

Oh a planner retreat would be fun! And then do like a 'destash swap' where it's not table gifts, but like... everyone brings the stuff they don't want, it all gets set out, and everyone can 'shop' - I've done this with clothing before, and it's free and then you only contribute what you are able to/want to and it's SUPER low pressure. But having different workshops of like how to use different spreads/inserts for different productivity or creative ideas! Or even like 'how to hand letter' or 'ways to do headers' etc.

Hahahaha you're so polite about people being there to greet you and help you! I think we ambushed you 😄

You two have the best energy! Love the podcast!!! I haven’t been to GoWild, but I would totally buy a ticket if you guys recorded a live episode there.

I think having a smaller event-or even better, a series of smaller events-would be fantastic. I say a series of events because one of the things I don’t like about big annual conferences is that if you can’t make it during the one week (or weekend) a year when it happens, then you’re SOL for another *year* after, and that can force people to make some very difficult choices. I wanted to go to Go Wild this year, but also wanted to go to Canva Create. Couldn’t do both, so Canva won. Also, with smaller events they can be held in smaller markets. I live in the Pacific Northwest, and when a conference is in New York or DC or Atlanta or (god forbid) Florida, that means I am adding on two full days on either end just for travel. People in the East would have the same problem if the conference were held in, say, San Francisco. In terms of max capacity I think maybe somewhere around 200-300 people is a good number. You have to have enough so that you can make back the venue costs and other overhead. One thing that would help with this is if you offer a livestream or recordings (at a discounted rate, perhaps) to people who can’t travel. I think doing them 3-4 times a year in various locations gives people more opportunity to go in person if they like. In terms of content, I’d like to see how different planning concepts can overlap. For example, what about the intersection of bujo and the Pomodoro method? Or bujo for people who make plans that tend to be more artistic than lines of text on a page (no offense…). Would be so interesting to see what you come up with. And Mark, I completely know what you mean about feeling a bit like you’re on an island as a guy who plans-I’m right there with you

Mark it was super awesome to meet you. I really enjoyed your crop session. It did give me a new perspective on planning.

Mark you did amazing! The audience knew you had to make a change on the fly with your pen switch. I really enjoyed the things you taught us and someone at my table was so excited when they successfully executed what you demonstrated. 💜

Thanks for the vicarious Go Wild experience. We have a planner group in Sydney and we are thinking of just doing one of our meet ups in a Go Wild theme (maybe Faux Wild). I would love to go to the actual event but could not manage the expense or the social battery load. Maybe if they spread it out over 6 weeks with a good long afternoon nap every afternoon... I can't imagine how excited I would be meeting all my RU-vidrs in person though!

So many laughs! Swish and IT formal are gonna stick with me. 😂 So to sum up: ungodly lines and bathroom confusion. It sounds like they need to look at streamlining all those lines and organizing the event in general. Plan the planner conference! Well, I guess it is called Go Wild! I understand how weird it must be to have strangers gush at you but you two have been pouring energy into a camera for years and many of us are thankful for things that you have shared that have made a difference in our lives. Gratitude. I loved hearing both of your views of the conference. Especially Mark, hearing a man's perspective, since it is a female dominated area, was interesting. I hope to attend next year. That would be great if the Planner Pals Podcast could get sponsored. Help with all the costs associated with it. For a PPP retreat I would want a mixture of lecture and fun hang out and little mini lessons, ie lettering, doodles, planning, etc. Somewhere chill, whatever that means! Keep on keeping on, you two and have a great week.

Q: re end question I would suggest Hawaii so it's more central globally & as per Mark's suggestion families have stuff to do while attendees are at the conference. Also has plenty of hotel options for people (ie if it was in Waikiki). Lots of new swag meaning one new type of equipment from each sponsor - new type of erasable highlighter or new type of ruler or new type of notebook design. Probably hands-on journaling sessions for writing, creativity: maybe a breakout room for people just wanting to sit, plan, create, write or doodle and make new friends (with bucket loads of stuff for attendees to experiment with). Maybe some competitions and prizes !?! I'm not asking much right ...

OMG an on-the-go live podcast recording would be so cool!

“I can’t get into the shower, but I CAN open the sink” I’m dying 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I *knew* it was going to be the knob behind the faucet. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Thank y'all for this long episode. It's interesting to hear about Go Wild from people who are not/were not in the original circle/group that created the conference and seem to only ever give glowing reviews about how the conference was. I really enjoyed this episode!

Sounds like you both had a great time! Thanks for sharing it with us! Mark, super impressed that you got to meet Amanda Rach Lee! That is very cool! Jashi, I would have slept too! ❤️

Props to Jess for the "room where it happens" reference! I missed my flight from China to London so I had to find a way out of China with very little Mandarin skills. After that, missing any other flight is not a big deal. I'm glad you had a good time. My two friends who went in past years were turned off by people stealing. They were at a table sponsored by Hawaiian creators with lots of Hawaiian swag, and people just kept taking things when they weren't sitting at the table. What I would like to see at a conference if it's not limited to bullet journaling: I would take one of Jess's 100+ ideas and break them down. Budgeting in a bullet journal, in a Happy Planner, in a Hobonichi, etc. Time management or productivity in a bullet journal, in a Happy Planner, in a Hobonichi, etc. And have speakers like Ali Abdaal, James Clear., Thomas Frank, Lavendaire. Maybe different methods of mindfulness meditation, sitting, walking, chocolate meditation. And more about mental health and planning.

Get it right. You ARE worthy of the attention!

Oh no Mark you are totally all right the way you are🎉 You are natural, you are funny that is much better than elegant! It was so enjoyable to listen to you both talking about the convention, I felt as if I had joined you for these three days😊 I will never be able to take part in “Go Wild” so thank you for taking me with you 😊 You two are really brilliant together, thank you for your wonderful work🎉

That first fountain pen is a gateway drug! It was so pleasant running into you and meeting you Jess. It was one of the many highlights from G W. You are such a gem. Worth it, but Seriously correct about the food lines and lack of food. Too pricey for as long as you had to wait. The food was one of my major cons for the event. EDIT: I was at a zebra table too even though I already had a lot of their items. It was a great table!

I'm really enjoying your podcast. Although I always wait to catch it here on RU-vid. When GoWild first began, only women were only allowed to attend. It wasn't until 2019 or so when men were able to purchase tickets. It's nice to see some men going. It would have been nice to run into you both!

Mark and Jess, I would definitely be so excited if I would ever see you in real life and you two are absolutely worth the hype! But the understatement of you two is also really nice. Mark, I absolutely see you as kind, funny and creative. I also like that aproach of being elegant as a man or in general. I also think you are a pioneer about being a creative man in the bullet journal community. Personally I love the minimalistic and easy style of the journaling you both do ❤

For a retreat, I’d prefer workshops over lectures. Kind of like Jess’ Bujo Wednesdays but with more people. Swag is always nice. I’m guessing it would be good to provide some supplies, since people would only be able to bring a limited amount from home. Locations: Hawai’i? I was just there and I met several Aussies at my hotel. Maybe New Zealanders like to go there too? If you have a lot of American viewers, they wouldn’t need a passport etc. The weather is hot but usually not too hot. If you do it in California, I’d 100% be there. Greece?Croatia? Japan? I really want to go stationary shopping in Japan. See you wherever!

Hello you two, great podcast 💐. Dear Mark I hope that you find a masculine, elegant way of life. You are kind, funny and creative. Dear Jess, I hope I see you writing in your BuJo with your new fountain pen. You inspired me more with your videos than Amanda Rach Lee. And my attitude towards Taylor Swift is similar to yours 😉.All in all, it looks like you all had quite a bit of fun.And in addition...I only know Martha Stuart, a former Queen of Scotland . Kind regards from Germany from Melly ✨

I looked at it after watching Sarra Cannon's videos and as much as I would love to go, that's just way too much. I don't do enough planning to make that worth it! :(

😂, I’m watching this at work 😂 and literally laughing out loud 🤣 “ how are you putting a candelabra in your purse! 😂 My co workers looking at me. Hahahaha

I think Mark was amazing and being able to pivot and adjust without skipping a beat! It’s crazy how I missed a lot of messages/notes even though I was there! I attribute it to lack of sleep and food, so thank you for this recap and sharing your take aways! Finally, my feeling on the Post Secret is that it’s not the time or place for folks to reveal painful secrets without having follow up support, a therapist, resource, something to help them after revealing such trauma. I walked out but returned too soon and just felt awful for those again who didn’t appear to get support after leaving the mic, I hope I’m wrong on that part. Oh and I would attend any retreat that had hands on workshop and real food delivered to your tables, like boxed lunches! 😂 as much money we paid, we could at least have gotten that!

For a planner retreat, I'd really like to see a 'Love it or leave it' kind of group discussion. What supplies have you tried for planning that worked out really well for you, vs things you tried and dropped? Gets you some insight to new things you might like to try, or kind of a confirmation that, oh, I would hate that too, I better not. Cyndi GB talks in one of her videos about how she tried a black paper planner, but the gel inks you would use for that don't dry fast enough and it bugs her, and I was like, oh dip, mood, I would hate that too! So an in person discussion where people break down their favorites/never agains would be super interesting to me!

Hawaii because I live here.

Great episode, once again team! 🙂 Loved your personal perspectives on Go Wild. Awesome 😎

I went to HOW Live last year. (graphic design conference). One cool thing that they had were two very large white boards and erasable markers. One was for people to write about/draw something you’ve learned that you’ll use in your job. The other was for you to write messages to people who’ve made a difference to you at the conference (speakers, attendees and vendors.)

So glad you two had a blast at Go Wild! Also, Jess, and hour and a half drive isn't that far in Texas. That is what we measure our drives in time not miles! 😊

lol the sink thing or was really well hidden I was confused at first too

Sounds like such a blast. So glad you both had such a good time.

Great video and loved watching you on stage Mark. I thought you did amazing, and that's not even considering you would have had to change so much on the fly with the lighting and video. I was on the table screaming for Bess, she's one of my besties and I've waited 4 years to be able to go watch her and cheer her on in person, so I mayyyyyyy have been a little on the loud side. I so hope it didn't diminish anyones experience. Also thank you for showing my stickers (the ones with Bess' workshop). Editing to add, new follower of your podcast. A conference sounds amazing, definitely more of the crop type things - I do also love the inspirational stuff that Wild gives although it's not for everyone. I wish we had one down this end of the world but it's definitely harder with less people available.

Yes! Use this comment as evidence to support y’all being at the next conference on the main stage. It’s what the people want! 😂

I’ve never been to one of these stationary/planner retreats. Everything you’ve described sounds really amazing. I work in the coffee industry and attend a lot of trade shows. I love when there is cross-over between industries. For instance, there’s one company that brings tattoo artists in to their booth and you can sign up to get a small tattoo of one of their products. So fun. I also really love a good tote bag for events to keep all my swag. Water bottles are also great swag. One of my fav swag items to date are a cool pair of socks with the company’s branding/logo. I also love to see events pull away from alcohol and embrace mocktails. I think opening up a number of booths to local specialty food/beverage companies to sell their snacks/products is a great way to boost the local economy of wherever your event is, while also providing a great service to attendees. So, in conclusion, I’m looking for tattoos, tote bags and snacks. 😂

Thank you guys so much for sharing! This was so informative and fun to hear.

You are both awesome and so enjoyed hearing about your time at Go Wild.

Loved hearing about your experience and would LOVE to attend a conference just from you two!! And skills workshops would be AMAZING. 🎉

This sounds like such a fun event! Do either of you know what’s going on with/Archer & Olive’s stock? They have hardly any journal available for purchase. So disappointing.

Now i saw the picture/video of your sink. but sitting here watching you two explain is priceless😂

Fantastic discussion ~ i was wondering what was in the swag. Love the idea of swapping stuff: that should be a frenzy or party like for 30 min running around swapping with people. Or whatever people don't like, wrapping and creating a giant lucky dip free for all.

Lol at the sink drain confusion. 😅 It sounds like you two had a great time! I hope that I'm able to go next year. I would definitely want to be at the Notiq table.

Oh my gosh the shower 🤣 it took me quite some time to figure out that door! Everyone was talking about that!

I love your takes on go wild. I couldn't go this year, I spent too much money on stickers this year. Maybe next year it will be planlando. So families would have something else to do while we were planning. Probably closer to Universal Studios than Disney. Disney is expensive.

I'll come to a planning retreat!!! That would be amazing! Some education or learning new spreads or layout ideas or tons of swapping ideas, etc. but so much cozy time to sit at tables together and just put in work on layouts and creating together! Maybe even some sort of New Year's retreat where we all set up a journal or two for the year over the whole weekend?

It was my first Go Wild & conveniently it was a 45 min. drive for me to get there. I will say that I'd love to do it all over again and I hope it's within my budget for next year. Sorry for ugly crying on y'all both but it was such a joy getting to meet you both #TotalFanGirling 😆 😭 Love y'all both and thank you for sharing amazing tips and ideas.

Mark might be on to something with planjama and the post go wild illness. I made it as far as the giant boot and basically crashed on a couch and told my friends to go on without me. I was still there when they came back! lol but my point is I did not get sick and I wasn’t there. 😂

Everything’s bigger in Texas!

Don't worry Jess! I started with planning and fell in love with the Ink Joys you recommended. Then I went down the fountain pen rabbit hole. And I wondered the same thing. It wasn't a problem. Different tools for different applications. I regularly use both Ink Joys and fountain pens.

This was my first Go Wild. Yes, it's expensive but I do think the cost for the ticket is worth it. I went primarily for the speakers and I really enjoyed all of the presentations. I am an introvert so at times it was overwhelming. I'm not sure if I'll go every year. But I think I will go again. I think I'd prefer a smaller type event.

You need to stay a few more days when you travel that far! ❤

This was my first GW experience. I thought you were awesome during wild Crop, it was so much fun. Sadly, I caught the go wild flu and went home with a head cold for a week. I wish traveled a day early instead of a 6AM flight on registration day. Also, I felt very lucky to have direct flights from my airport but they were not cheap haha

I'd love neutral colors, I'm not a pink fan. Let's do pick and choose as you say. Sign up for classes and then have some where all go. Have a show and tell, trick or find that's not really intended for planner use but works well. How to use odd stickers that often don't get chosen. Have the heart felt talk be about planner happiness. Like it's alright to not be happy with the planner you chose and go with a different one, you can adapt planners to you, it's okay to splurge on supplies now and then, the way you plan is the right way, we all need different things from our planner. Instead of table mate gifts, bring 4 decorated lunch bags of goodies to swap. Then swap at different times during the plannerfest like musical chairs, when the music stops, open your bag. How about a "needs a home" table? Participants can drop off planner supplies they don't use and others can pick them up to use them if they would. Frugal planning. Oh, the thoughts alone are exciting! And if it's reasonably priced, SIGN ME UP!! PRETTY PLEASE 😁🥰☕

If they do more breakout sessions they absolutely *have* to find a better way to handle sign ups. Either they need better communications (which seems to be a perennial issue) or they need a better UI that is more user friendly. Inevitably both ways ended up with a lot of frustration on the part of attendees and until they hammer that out, I'm not sure if I even want to deal with it from an attendee point of view.

Jess, you REALLY need to get a&o/ another brand to sponsor you to go!!! just imagine how much you could of saved!! what was with Marks voice being over yours Jess at about 27mins? was bloody weird to watch you open your mouth and hear Mark😂😂

Oh my goodness, you met Bic Runga, that’s so cool. I played her first two albums on repeat. I know what I’m listening to when I finish listening to your podcast 🎵

Hopefully the small companies don’t have to pay extra for items taken that were supposed to be left. Definitely contributes to conference costs! People should ask if unsure

Going on holiday to end up at plumbing school 101

(1) I get that some people want to maximize their "swag value" but lets be honest: if you can afford to attend Go Wild--even with a discounted volunteer ticket and a hotel roommate--you can afford to buy any of the gifts you see on a table. (BTW: there was a tree stolen this year--one of the Edding trees. SO RUDE. Like are you trying to chase away sponsors??) I sat at a smaller brand's table. Our gifts were not just generous but also thoughtful, and not just a stack of the brand's own stuff (which I love and wanted and will use). (2) I have no sponsors and I'm not famous or anything, but I have mad skillz--lawyer, NBHWC board certified Health and Wellness Coach, over educated yoga instructor (and personal trainer and group x instructor), graduate work in second language acquisition, more!--and I would gladly create a workshop for your Planner Friends event.

P.S. How about a Planner Friends cruise?

I’m happy that Post Secrets was discussed. I had to leave last year because of the things shared in the session. I can definitely understand someone being vulnerable to share. At the same time, I wasn’t prepared. I also feel the same way about the Alex Elle session last year, and someone told me that I was wrong to say that I didn’t think it was ethical or okay from a practitioner standpoint. I can understand that no one is forcing anyone to participate, but I think the approach was irresponsible for the GW setting.

Mark, what state are you in or what area

The stealing of others sounds awful and would be a reason for me not feeling safe there but other than that it seems like you had a really good and fun time ❤😊

Actually, Twisby should sponsor mArk because I pulled the plug and go that one!

It sounds like the Hotel needs to rethink that overly complicated system

What was the notebook Jess gave as a table gift? I am not familiar with it and an don’t know how to spell it to look up.

I just received two new fountain pens today, bringing my collection to 23? I think … maybe 🤔

*snort* IT formal. so clean jeans and a good tshirt lol or is that just me? (works in IT ) Also finely caved and got a fountain pen (only a cheapie from Temu) and why did I wait so long?

Don't know if this is common knowledge or not, but when will they announce the location for Go Wild 2025?

A hands on experience would be incredible! I would need the option to bring my own supplies and planner but also practice sheets and samples because I would have serious difficulty going straight into my planner. Kind of how I had to save my llama notebook 😬😂

Jess, your trip would be considered a business expense, right?

I’m literally (yes, literally) have had my mouth hanging open for this ENTIRE podcast! It sounds a lot like Creating Keepsakes University (CKU). I had so much fun at that, I kept waking up laughing in my sleep. 😂 I want to go to the next time - unless BTS tours in 2025 when all of them are home from the military. I absolutely must see BTS above everything else 😊. You should come to Nashville and the Opryland Hotel. They have gps coordinates to the rooms, and it still took me an hour to find my room. 🫤 Thank you both for giving us all the details! I’m obsessed.

Ditto what @pyenygen2299 said below. A BuJo Camp with smaller groups and doing different BuJo themes :).