Earlier this month, I flew to NYC for the Meta event NewFronts 2025 — an invite-only event for creators like me who’ve been building on Facebook and Instagram since way back. I’ve been growing Mom Loves Baking with Meta tools since 2013, so I couldn’t pass up the chance to finally meet the faces behind the platforms!
Flying to NYC for the Meta Event
Flying up from Clearwater, Florida, I was both excited and curious. This was my very first time engaging face-to-face with anyone from Meta. It was a two-hour event, but I knew it would be worth the time, energy, and expense to be part of the conversation. Plus, let’s be honest, I’ll take any excuse to visit NYC!
Attending Meta NewFronts 2025 as a Creator
I traveled with my sweet and savvy assistant Avery (18), who’s a pro at navigating New York and made everything smoother and more fun. We stayed at the Marriott Marquis and loved riding the glass elevator up to our room on the 34th floor. And the Meta event was just a block away at the Palladium Times Square.
I showed up 15 minutes early in a black maxi dress with a giant magenta flower—my “had-no-idea-what-to-wear-but-feeling-good-about-it” pick from my fave Florida boutique, Ivory Palm.
What It Was Like at Meta NewFronts NYC
Upon check-in, I was greeted by friendly Meta staff dressed in sleek all-black outfits, iPads in hand. From there, I headed down an escalator into the pre-event mingling hour. The space was packed—easily 400 people—and buzzing with energy. It was definitely a bit intimidating, especially without name tags. I only managed to talk to one lovely young woman (who kindly took my photo), before heading into the main theater.
Creator Updates Shared by Meta
I found a seat next to some sweet gals from the Walmart corporate office, which helped ease the nerves a bit. Comedian Roy Wood Jr. kicked things off with some laughs, then Meta shared lots of new tools to help creators connect with brands. It got a little techy for me, to be honest—but if you're into the nitty-gritty, there are plenty of articles out there that break down all the new Meta tools in detail.
Exploring New York City: Food, Sights & Surprises
Avery and I spent two nights in New York, which gave us a chance to do a little exploring. Our first night, we walked to Friedman’s Deli and had the most delicious burgers while being serenaded by our waiter Willem Butler and a team of Broadway-caliber singing servers.
We also visited the iconic New York Public Library for the first time. I adored the lion statues out front and the gorgeous architecture inside. While the famous Rose Reading Room was closed, we enjoyed some fantastic exhibits, including a tribute to The New Yorker magazine and a glass case featuring Christopher Robin’s actual stuffed Winnie the Pooh and friends.
Back at the hotel, we loved riding the glass elevator up to the 34th floor, with stunning views of the city. We also saw St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and one afternoon took an Uber to the Village so Avery could visit a little dress shop called Brandy Melville. And who did we spot in the tiny boutique? Drew Barrymore herself! Total NYC moment (thank you to the kind young lady - Hayley - who shared her photo of Drew with me via Airdrop). We also walked to Washington Square Park to see the famous arch and get a glimpse of NYU.
A Sweet Ending to My NYC Creator Trip
On our last day, we made a sweet stop at Bon Bon, an adorable all-pink Swedish candy shop with the hilarious slogan “growing up is a trap” (relatable). Then we headed to By the Way Bakery on the Upper East Side, where everything is gluten-free and dairy-free. I picked up a giant chocolate whoopie pie with cream filling that was absolutely heavenly—and yes, I devoured it on the plane ride home.
While I walked into the Meta event feeling like a bit of an outsider, I left feeling motivated and empowered. The world of content creation is evolving fast, and it’s exciting to see platforms taking creators seriously.
Big thanks to Meta for the invite—and for finally putting a few faces to the algorithms!
Until next time, NYC.
xo,
Lise
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