Our First-Ever Europe Convention--A Success

We arrived back in the States last night, home from our first-ever Stampin’ Up! convention, held in Frankfurt, Germany—and it was delightful!

I don’t know how else to describe it. From beginning (helping the staff set up and prepare for the convention) to end (saying good-bye to many demonstrators and employees I’d gotten to know better), I enjoyed every minute!

Our staff was much smaller than at a US/Canadian event. Only a handful of employees from the home office flew over, along with most of the staff from our three European offices. We worked side by side to get everything ready, and I loved the opportunity to put faces with names, and meet some of these wonderful people for the first time. How blessed we are to have such great people working with us in Europe!

After spending a whirlwind couple of days in preparation, Sterling and I returned to the hotel and actually giggled in our hotel room as we heard the familiar sounds of Stampin’ Up! demonstrators coming together for convention. It doesn’t matter if we’re in North America, Australia, or Europe, the sounds of happy women gathering together for a few days of stamping, playing, celebrating—and likely escaping from the demands of home?—are the same. And it’s wonderful to be part of that.

We had about three times the number of demonstrators we had at our first convention in the United States 20 years ago, but it was still a very intimate event, with plenty of opportunities to chat. Probably one of the things that stood out most for me was that, even though we had three different countries and three different languages represented, there was an overwhelming feeling of unity and kindness. I teared up more than once as I watched demonstrators cheer for each other, laugh with each, and support each other in their shared love of Stampin’ Up!

I must admit that I was a little apprehensive about the language barrier. All of the Main Stage presentations were done in English, with translators sitting in the back providing translation in French and German. Individual classes were presented in each of the three languages.

But I found that the language wasn’t a problem at all. Many of the demonstrators knew enough English that we could carry on a decent conversation. And even when we didn’t know the exact words, there’s something about sharing the language of stamping that brought us together. We hugged, we smiled, we looked at projects, and we communicated.

In addition to the abundance of fun and support, there was an abundance of inspiration. I’ve actually started stamping birthday cards today (I send Stampin’ Up! employees greetings for their birthdays) for November, and I’m basing them on a Workshop Wow I saw at the convention.

I do want to share a few of the projects that I showed on Main Stage. I won’t show them all—there has to be some perks for attending convention, you know. But here are a few that I hope will inspire you.

One thing I feel badly about is that I didn’t take any photos. I had my camera with me the whole time and completely forgot to take it out, I was so busy! We had some camera and video people there, but I forgot that they weren’t from the home office, and so I wasn’t able to just call and ask them to send me a few of their photos. We’ll eventually get the photos they took, but it will be too late to post here, and I’m so sorry! I’d love for you to get a feel for the beautiful venue and, even more important, the amazing people!

As we said good-bye, I was impressed with the genuine feelings of love and concern I saw. It reminded me of the early days of Stampin’ Up! when we were small enough that most of the demonstrators knew most of the employees, and vice versa. In Europe, that’s the case—employees and demonstrators know each other, and if they didn’t before convention, they do now! What a wonderful feeling to be part of that again!

Over all, our Europe convention exceeded all of my expectations. That doesn’t mean we can’t improve—there’s always room for improvement! (And we do have a list of things we’ll do differently next time.) But overall, I was pleased and delighted and returned exhausted but happy!  

Comments

[Krystina]

The convention was so great! It was great to meet you. Shelli, you are a wonderful woman! Many many thanks for all!

We see us next year in London!

Greetings from germany

Krystina

[Amanda Fowler]

The convention was so much better than I could have ever dreamed! Thank you so much to the entire team that put the event together it was truly magical! I was so inspired, learnt lots, created, shared, laughed and cried, made so many wonderful new friends. Thank you Shelli for bring Stampin' Up! to Europe.

See you in Monaco !

[Jayne Mercer]

Your post brought back so many memories of our first convention in Australia and how special it was. I wasn't sure how the next could possibly match it but it did and so did the 3rd one too - Stampin' Up! is about people and their love shines through each and every time.

Thank you Shelli.

[Anne MacDougall]

I had a fantastic time at convention, I'm still feeling all warm and fuzzy inside :) Thank you to everybody for their hard work and creating such a memorable event! I've come away inspired and I'm already looking forward to next year.

Greetings from bonnie Scotland,
Anne

[Irene Wendlandt]

Hi Shelli, Convention was such an wonderful time for me. Not only that I earned so much awards, it was the feeling that I like most.
Next year I will come to London (my family will go with me!!)
Your presentation was so nice. The first thing I do, is to case your Art Journal. The colours are so beutiful.
Bye from Germany
Irene Wendlandt

[Helen]

Wish I could have been there, it sounds wonderful! Hope to see you next year in London!

[Abi Bundy]

It was lovely to meet you shelli ! glad you got home safely, thank you for a really fun experience!

Abi

[Silvia Werner]

Shelli,
the convention was such a great event. I am so thankful for the time we all spent together, for sharing all those wonderful ideas, and for the chance to become a Stampin´ Up! demo in Germany two years ago. Love it! ;-)
Silvia Werner

[Caz Counsell]

WOW, what can I say.. I loved every minute! Can I book for London yet?! Fantastic to meet you again. You don't know how many ladies I have fighting for my Burberry bag! To say I was speechless was an understatement... my friends on my table said to me I would have to go back again in a minute, I said dont be silly and was shocked that I did!! My goal for next year is to do even more than I did this time. It has truely inspired me.

Thank you to all involved!
I LOVE STAMPIN UP!
Love Cazx

[Zoë Tant]

What a fabulous weekend! So much fun meeting so many people with such a fabulous hobby! Thanks to your Shelli and your fabulous team throughout Europe for a truly memorable event. Can't wait for next year and the inspiration has recharged the batteries for a concerted effort to get the incentive trip. Thank you everyone. Hugs Zoë x

[Jo]

Shelli, thanks for a fabulous weekend! The most amazing projects and the most amazing people, who could have asked for more! Thanks for not only bringing convention to europe, but for bringing us Stampin' Up! too!

Cant wait for next years in London, I think its gonna be bigger, and most definitely louder!!

[Moira McIlroy]

I still don't feel like my feet have touched the ground from this amazing weekend which I'll remember forever and can't wait to repeat in London next year. Such a pleasure to spend time with other people who love SU! as much as I do. I was inspired by the stage demos from Pam and yourself and the 3 demonstrators who shared their projects. I'm so proud of what I have achieved with the help of my customers and my team and I am so excited to be going to Monaco next June. Thank you for making all this possible, I loved my first Convention experience. Moira xxx

[Karin Fidler]

It truly was an amazing experience! Everyone was so friendly, and all the ideas and inspiration that was shared - enough to keep one stamping for years! But most of all, the motivation to acheive even more :)

And please share with us some of the video and photos on the Stampin'Up site as I am sure we would all love to see them - late or not!

Hugs, and see you next year in London!!!!

[Nicci]

I haven't had that much fun in such a long time! It was truly inspirational! Thanks for all the effort you guys put in, I can't wait for London!
I'll try not to be too shy next year lol
xx

[Carolyn Exwood]

Thanks for letting us have Stampin Up in Europe Shelli - and running a great Convention!

It was great meeting you (and Sterling) and the other staff, and I can hardly wait for London 2010 (I'll save a bit next year as I'm only just outside London:D

[Bekka]

Thank you so much for an amazing weekend - I am still on a total high and am missing everyone so much!

It was fantastic to spend some time with you and Sterling. It was amazing to spend time with my fellow demos from across Europe, so many wonderful and inspiring people. It was brilliant to spend time with the fantastic staff too.

I cant find the words to thank you enough for bringing the SU Family to Europe and for throwing us such a wonderful event.

I LOVE being part of SU

Thank you so much

love Bekka
x

[Elaine]

What a wonderful event. An amazing experience. So many inspirational demonstrators. Have my goals for the year written out and am planning my outfit for next year already. Just watch out for even more tartan around the place.

My family has just got a whole heap bigger.

Looking forward to doing it all again next year - be prepared for plenty more excited women (and maybe men) - dread to think what the noise level will be.

Regards & Hugs

[Jules]

What can I say? I don't think I have come back down to earth yet! Convention was amazing, I loved every second, and to be 2nd in Demo of the Year was just beyond belief!!! I told my boys about the cash prize, they now think crafting is "COOL"

We have today just booked a trip to Disneyland Paris with my winnings which I would not have been able to do without Stampin Up!

I made so many new friends, spent time with old friends and cannot wait until London 2010 and Monaco in June!

To say thank you does not seem to be enough. I am so glad I found Stampin Up and could not imagine life without it!

A very happy Julie in the UK!

[Robin Merriman]

Shelli,

Love your main stage projects! Especially the Winter Post ones. That is my all time favorite stamp set and I'll be casing those pages for sure!
So glad the convention went well. I've seen some pics on other blogs and it looks just like ours - lots of fun with our stamping friends. Love in every language is the same!
Have a great week!
Robin

[Cindy Major]

That definitely sounds like it was a great event! Even though SU! has grown to bigger proportions in the US and Canada, your staff is still wonderfully open, supportive and very approachable, something that impresses me every time I attend an event. The trilingual part must have been something! SU! sort of dabbles in this when you hold events in Quebec, but throw German in there as well and it is quite something!

I am already looking forward to Leadership. It's coming soon and I can't wait! I'm sure it'll be another great event, as they always are - even though you probably do not want to think about it too much right now if you're still tired from your trip to Europe!

Have a wonderful week!
Cindy

[Emma Daye]

Well what can I say that hasnt already been said. I had a fantastic time in Bad Homburg and am going to have an even better time next year in London. I am determined to be on stage next year and Convention has given me the kick to get my butt in gear.

Thanks to everyone that I met. Thanks to all of you who organised it. Thankyou to you to Shelli for bringing Stampin' Up! to the UK so that I could have this opportunity.

Emma xx

[margaret {a yorkshire stamper}]

Hi Shelli it was so nice of you to speak to me on the phone {i was gob smacked when you said THIS IS SHELLI GARDNER HERE,I am feeling alot better now my arm still hurts alittle and i have my stitches out on friday. I will be there in london next year and my goal is to be called on stage love and hugs margaret

[Helen Ding]

Thank you for such a fantastic convention. It was so well organised and lovely to meet everyone from our European Home Office and those who travelled with you.Also great to have a chance to meet all those lovely ladies I had met online and few I hadn't!
Can't wait for next year...LONDON BABY

[Sonia from France - Normandy]

Hello Shelli,
I could not go to the convention this year but hope to meet you next year in London ...
All French demonstrators have shared with us their memories of this fabulous two days!
Good day

[Sarah-Jane Rae]

WOW! Thank-you for such an amazing couple of days, the whole experience has inpsired and motivated me beyond belif, Thank-You.
I am so proud to be a part of the wonderful SU! family and to represent it is an honour. I met so many lovely, generous and kind people, new friends and old, and such an amazing team of staff. You all did an amazing job :0)
I am already looking forward to London and meeting up with everyone again,
Many thanks to everyone,
Hugs Sarah-Jane xxx