For those of you unfamiliar, IzeaFest is a blogger’s conference put on Izea, which is led by Ted Murphy. From everything I’ve seen and read of Ted, he’s a cool guy, if not a bit on the bizarre side, but I like that.

Ted is also very enterprising: he has founded six companies–including Izea–and is one of the forefathers of paid blogging. Plus, he and I have tweeted each other about marathon running (I know bloody nipples, Ted).

I bought my IZEAFest ticket way back in February when I was projecting some sort of smashing success with my blog. Something to the effect that I’d finally get to meet all the superstars who had heard of me but hadn’t yet met me. How naive.

Let’s say I’m nowhere close to that point, but I’m okay with that. Anonymity is not why I’m bowing out.

The real reason I won’t be attending IZEAFest is because it’s not marketed as an event to be taken seriously. When I think Izeafest, I see a raging, four-day Carnival Cruise across multiple watering holes and ending at SeaWorld.

In other words — a big blogging drinking party. I can already taste the hangovers.

Biggest Disclaimer Ever

I have to say this immediately: the speakers are not why I’m not going. Missing their presentations and dynamism is obviously where I lose out.

Izeafest invites some of the best and most respected web marketers and bloggers around. Brian Clark is someone I’d love to meet. Same with Rae Hoffman and Chris Brogan. And I was lucky enough to meet Arleen Anderson when I was in Honolulu in June.

But…

[End of Disclaimer]

…at the same time, I’d much rather engage with these talented folks in a more progressive and intellectual setting.

An event, perhaps, that puts blogging into a much greater and more thoughtful context. Something that recognizes publishing and editorial standards and the industry as a whole, not just making money online through what works well for individuals.

Blogging is certainly pioneering in its own right, but it’s unlikely to electrify the sagging publishing industry without bold and pragmatic leadership. Izeafest offers spirited work sessions with some very bright people, but it’s all conducted between dirty martinis and an entire day with Shamu.

Bloggers should be mobilized for life after the personal internet gold rush. It’s not going to last forever. Sure — we can all continue to blog away, maybe make a few bucks as we go, but there’s much greater opportunities than this.

We need a conference that calls upon bloggers, writers, editors, publishers, web marketers and everyone in between. A meeting to challenge—not just celebrate—ourselves.

For example: How do we collectively innovate and reconcile a failing industry so it’s scalable, likeable and profitable?

If I were in a party mood, I’d go to Izeafest without hesitation. It feels like I shouldn’t be missing it. But I checked-in my party mood at the door, and I intend on leaving it there while I sort things out.