I’m really looking forward to attending CardCon Expo 2018 in September. It’s an opportunity for the best and brightest freelancer writers, journalists, and credit card brands to network and discuss the latest credit card trends. I attended last year and signed up for 2018 on the spot because it was so valuable to me. If you’re attending or thinking about signing up, here’s your chance to attend CardCon 2018 for free! Capital One is offering scholarships to select registrants, so continue reading to find out all of the details.
In This Post
What is CardCon Expo 2018?
CardCon Expo is a two-day gathering of freelance writers, bloggers, journalists, and credit card brands. You’ll have ample opportunities to network with other writers and brands while hearing interesting presentations from fellow writers and the brands themselves.
See also: 6 reasons why you need to attend CardCon 2018
When is CardCon 2018?
The CardCon Expo will be September 25 and 26, 2018. It leads up to FinCon, the premier personal finance blogging convention that I will also be attending.
The event begins at 7:30 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2018, with a networking breakfast. And it ends on Wednesday, September 26, 2018, at 11:30 am. Just in time for people like me who need to leave to attend FinCon.
Who will be at CardCon Expo 2018?
If this year is like last year, there will be about 100 writers and brands who love to talk (and write) about credit cards.
Some of the speakers include:
- Clark Howard, keynote speaker
- Gary Leff of View From The Wing
- Stephanie Harris of Partner Centric
- Jeff Richardson of VantageScore
- John Ulzheimer of The Ulzheimer Group, LLC
- Jesse Levey of Credit Sesame
And, of course, there will be freelance writers and bloggers like me, Harlan Vaugh from Out and Out, Debra Schroeder from Travelling Well For Less, and Ben Luthi.
Where is CardCon 2018?
CardCon 2018 will be held at the Rosen Shingle Resort in Orlando. It is located at 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando, Florida 32819.
There is a room block reserved for attendees of CardCon and FinCon at a nightly rate of $159 when you use this link to book your room.
It is not part of a major hotel chain, so you can’t use traditional points to book your stay for free. Instead, I would use the Capital One Venture Card and it’s $500 sign-up bonus (as of the date of this post) to cover your room charges.
Read also: How miles & points can advance your career
How much is CardCon Expo 2018?
CardCon 2018 is $149.99 if you are a freelance writer or self-employed. People who are employees of a larger company pay $249.99 to register.
Click here to register for CardCon Expo 2018 now.
But… here’s how you can attend for free!
How do I apply for the Capital One scholarship?
Capital One just announced a major partnership with CardCon. They are sponsoring the registration fee of freelance writers who qualify based on the following criteria:
- You must be a freelance writer with at least 5 published articles on credit or credit cards in 2018 and provide one example of your published work for review by CardCon.
- You may not be full-time employees of the company you are representing.
- Pay for your CardCon 2018 registration first, then it will be refunded by CardCon if you meet the program rules and after you check in for the event.
- Act fast because registration fee reimbursements are limited. CardCon will at its sole discretion determine eligibility, which will include a review of your submitted work.
- Those who have already registered for CardCon18 are eligible to apply and are subject to the rules as stated above.
Here are a few samples of the freelance writing I have done, which qualifies me for this scholarship:
- How to Improve Your Credit Score Quickly
- Step-By-Step Guide to the Shopping Cart Trick: Get a Credit Card Without a Hard Pull
- How To Avoid Baggage Fees By Using Credit Cards
- What is a Virtual Credit Card? 8 Reasons Why You Need One
As a condition of the scholarship, Capital One requests that you recognize them on social media and on your website. When you do, you must mention that your registration fee was paid for by Capital One. [Edit: I submitted for the scholarship and was approved. I want to say thank you to Capital One for allowing me to attend such a great event for free thanks to their generous donation.]
Click here to register for CardCon Expo 2018, then click here to apply for the Capital One CardCon 2018 scholarship to attend CardCon for free.
And, if you’ve already paid your CardCon Expo 2018 registration fee like I have, if you qualify to receive the Capital One scholarship, you’ll get a refund.
The Bald Thoughts
If you’re a freelance writer, blogger, or aspiring writer that wants to write about the latest trends in credit cards and travel rewards, then you need to attend CardCon 2018. For those not yet convinced, here are 6 reasons why you should attend CardCon Expo 2018. And with Capital One offering to pay for your registration fee, there is little reason why you shouldn’t attend.
What are you waiting for? Register for CardCon Expo 2018 and apply for the scholarship now. I’ll see you in September!
