Home from Addington

Was our European Convention in the most fabulous setting, or what? I took these photos the first day while we were finishing setting up. Once people started arriving, it got too busy to take photos. Plus, we hired a professional photographer to make sure we had the best photos, so I don’t have any with demonstrators in them. Sorry! But you can certainly get a feel for the incredible venue.

Addington Palace is an 18^th-century palace in Surrey. . . simply stunning. I don’t typically take photos of our event settings, but Addington is a once-in-a-lifetime location, and I just couldn’t resist.

I mean, who would have ever imagined a Paper, Pad & Marker room like this. . . or a Memento Mall in a room like this?

And you probably think I’ve got a thing for ceilings because I took several ceiling shots, but how often do you see ceilings like this—they were incredible!

And since no 18^th-century palace could be big enough for our group, our Main Stage activities were held in the “marque,” a tent-like structure outside. We were worried that it might rain (and it did!), so they created a temporary “hallway to heaven” (that’s what people called it) leading to the marquee. They really bent over backwards to make us feel welcome.

And the palace set the stage for a wonderful event. Of course, it wasn’t without its glitches—no event ever is. In fact, the venue itself presented some challenges—an 18^th-century palace is missing some of the state-of-the-art technology you find in a lot of event facilities these days. And we were certainly cozy, but we had decided on the location quite some time ago, never guessing that we’d more than double in attendance in one year. Woo hoo! There are worse problems, for sure!

So, while we know there’s room for improvement (there always is!), overall we were very pleased! Presenters and presentations were fantastic, training was inspiring, new products were well received. . . the list of positive things was definitely more lengthy than the list of things we will work on! We felt great about the event, and it seemed like the demonstrators all had a good time as well.

My favorite part of this convention, as it is any Stampin’ Up! event, is the wonderful opportunity to spent time with our incredible demonstrators. Wherever I go, whatever country, whatever event, I am simply overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible people I get to work with. Thank you all, Stampin’ Up! staff and demonstrators, for an amazing time at Addington Palace.

Comments

[Helen]

Huge thanks to you and all of your team for a fabulous two days! It was my first Convention and I was blown away! It was a privilege to stand next to you on the main stage (albeit a terrifying experience which nearly saw me run for the hills!), Derek was an inspiration (Derek both days next time please - but he can leave out the dancing!!!) and Pam's projects were fabulous, although the lighting on Fri evening didn't do them justice. Can't wait for Disneyland Paris next year - and thank you for changing the date so that we Brits don't miss our beloved Bonfire Night!!!!

[Monica Gale]

WOW< WOW and WOW again. Yet again I had the most wonderful experience at Convention this year. THANK YOU Shelli for continuing to Inspire me and thank you to all the staff that worked so hard making this a memorable experience for us all.
It was wonderful to meet Rich our new President seeing the lovely and Inspiring Pam again, give poor Dave Baugh a bit more of headache about the Big Shot and cheer and dance with Derek through his awesome presentation. I had a blast and cannot wait for our next one. Hope you can get some rest now Shelli, hugs Monica xxx

[Emma]

It certainly was a stunning venue and a wonderful weekend. It was so lovely to be able to meet you and to say thank you to all the team who work so hard for us. I had a wonderful time chatting, making new friends and being inspired (I won't mention the dancing!). Laughed my socks off at the Julie and Chris double act. Thank you Shelli.

[Irene Wendlandt]

Dear Shelli, thanks so much for the wonderful Convention!!!!
I am so happy to be a part of StampinUp!
See you in Prague!
Bye from Germany
Irene Wendlandt

[Joanne Gelnar]

Addington Palace certainly looks different without 300 demonstrators. Lovely to see how it was before we messed it all up! I want to add my thanks to the others for a fabulous convention. Agree with Monica - more of Derek please - what a fantastic inspirational speaker! I've already put his 16 second technique into practice over the weekend - it worked! I love the way that the whole of SU staff, no matter their position in the company, roll up their sleeves and get stuck in to whatever job needs doing. How many times do you get the chance to say 'Hello Mr President' to the man on the checkout?! And talking of Memento Mall - I think we've proved that we need more stuff there!!

[Zoë Tant]

Hi Shelli wow it was a great weekend with lots of fun and inspiration from all corners. I agree with all the comments above and can't wait to see the official photos and video of the event although I'm not so sure about the Cupid Shuffle as I've already seen a pic of me on stage dancing and a video doesn't bode well!! Hope you got your tea cup home safely and that Stirling likes his! Thank you to you and all the team for all the hard work that goes into such an event it certainly paid off as we all had a ball and have more drive to go onwards and upwards for the coming year and beyond. Big hugs Zoë xx

[Carolyn Exwood]

Thanks for a wonderful Convention Shelli - I had an absolute blast and enjoyed every minute - even the dancing!!

Thanks also to the team who ensured that everything ran smoothly - and i agree with Monica and Zoe we need more of Derek to keep us awake at the end of long days!

[Sarah Piggott]

Thank you Shelli, and all your wonderful team, for putting on such an amazing experience for us Demonstrators - I am still on a high and fired up with inspiration and enthusiasm for Stampin' Up! Shelli, it was brilliant to see you in action too - your projects were definitely one of my highlights!

[Rachel UK]

Thank you Shelli for making it to convention despite your own worries at home (hope you are feeling less bruised Stirling) we had a fab time although can we schedule some sleep next time please....zzzz still catching up.

[Ann Wills UK]

I echo all the comments above, a great venue, absolutely super demonstrations, brilliant staff and wonderful demonstrators. How proud it makes one to feel part of such a super organisation with so much talent.

Thanks so much.

[Becki Ritson]

Shelli, I had the most amazing time! Huge thanks to you and your fantastic team for all your hard work. The venue was superb, and the training excellent - and as for the chance to spend a couple of days mixing with fellow demonstrators (some of the most incredible people I have ever met), well, that was just priceless! I am so proud to be a demonstrator and part of this wonderful family, Thank you for making it all possible.

Hugs,

Becki
xx

[debbi taylor]

Shelli, Thank you for an amazing time at Convention again I still remain proud to be a demonstrator and this has inspired even further! As always the projects were great and it was lovely to see everyone again! Next year i wont miss the gala dinner and will get to wear my dress! x

[Stephanie Mayne]

Thank you Shelli and the team! Convention was a great experience! I met several demonstrators that I have been chatting with online for a while and it was so nice to meet everyone in person and swap ideas. Day 2 was especially good - I liked having the opportunity to craft and chat with some of my new found friends and Dereks presentation was one of the hightlights for me - very motivating! It was nice to have him join our table the previous evening for the Awards dinner too! The projects made by both you and Pam were stunning. The revelations towards the end of the day were great - what lovely surprises! I hope you all had good flights home and that Stirling is making a quick recovery. See you next year!

[Karin]

The setting was amazing, without a doubt! But what truly made it outstanding was seeing all the excitement from everyone there! I had so much fun getting to chat with so many people in person - truly amazing! Your events team put on an amazing two days - the presentations were fun and engaging - and the projects showed by everyone were all WOW's!

Loved it all!

[kara milne]

the palace was stunning, i am lucky enough to live in the NE of scotland so we have castles on our doorstep (which my family love to visit)it was perfect, we felt special as it was so grand but the staff made us feel at home and couldn't do enough for us. i had an amazing weekend with memories which will stay with me forever, i was lucky enough to walk on stage and i really had to hold back the tears as i was so happy and excited.

thankyou for a wonderful convention, i appreciate all the hard work thats gone into making it so special for us, and i second the lady who said "more derek", he was great. i feel inspired and ready to share SU with everyone, i have had 2 comments about my convention bag already- its a great way to slip SU into conversation

thankyou again
kara

[Abi]

Thank you so much for such a great experience it was so much fun! and yes "cosy" i think could describe it, I love coming to convention to meet the other demonstrators, learn new things and love that i always feel at home at the stampin' up events, thank you for making it so special, hope sterling is better soon we missed him!

[Nicci Russell]

It truly was such a wonderful couple of days, I wish it could have lasted longer. I don't think I've laughed and smiled so much for a long time, meeting up with the demonstrators that I met at last years convention and some new faces too. I always feel motivated and inspired whenever I go to a Stampin' Up! training event and convention was no exception.I'll be counting down the days to Disney Land Paris, what an incredible venue that will be! Thank you to you and your team for once again making convention such a fantastic experience. Hope Sterling makes a speedy recovery too, was a shame for him not to be there.

See you next year!

[Susanne Hohenstatt]

Dear Shelly,
thank you very much, for this wonderful Convention in London. It was so great to meet you! I am happy to be a part of Stampin'Up!
I hope, I see you next year in Paris!
LG from Germany
Susanne

[Maxine Conrad]

How fabulous to see pictures of this beautiful castle. I have heard from so many of my British friends how wonderful the event was. I told Monica Gale (She is from my Home County :), that she could not keep you Shelli! We have missed you here in UT, So looking forward to catching up with you :) x

[Emma Daye]

Hi Shelli,

I would like to say a huge thank you to all of those that were associated with organising and making Convention possible again. I loved it all, Pam was as usual inspiring, Shelley your demos were fab and inspiring. I loved the little scene that Paula, Jerome and Axel did too.

I can't wait to make it to Disneyland Paris next year.

Emma xx

[Kat]

Shelli & SU: Sounds like another wonderful SU event. I was an exchange student in Austria for a year in high school.... as SU plans future conventions, please consider Vienna, Austria for one of your venues. It is an incredible city. Will U.S. demos ever be allowed to attend conventions outside the U.S.? One can hope and dream. Auf Wiedersehen

[Titelaine]

Dear Shelli,
It was a real honor to meet you! Thank you for your smile, your kindness, your "funny mind" (are you a carrot? lol), your creative ideas....
My downline and me laughed, created, had fun a lot. I was so proud, so happy and so excited to share this wonderful convention with "my girls"...even if I think they have taken too many pictures of me, crying in the podium!!!
In any case, I'll do everything to meet you again, next year, in my country, with "du fromage et une baguette"!! (cheese and French bread!)

Thank you again Shelli, and have lots of sweet moments with your family!
Cheers,
Hélène

PS:I hope you haven't already finished all the Belgian marshmallows.... ^-^

[Julie Kettlewell]

Shelli

What can I say that hasnt already been said! I loved Convention, my team loved it and they are all so fired up, it is so great to see!!

I have to thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting me do a presentation on stage and for putting your trust in me to do that. It was truly an honour and I am so glad I got the opportunity (although I am not sure Chris the cameraman will ever be the same)

Take care and see you in Prague!

Julie K x

[Cindy]

Woow! The Gaylord Opryland has nothing on this palace... This is fabulous!!! :D Makes me wish I was there! I love this kind of architecture. We have a little bit of it in Quebec City but I would love to see the real thing in Europe!

I registered for Leadership today and I cannot wait to see you there!

Cindy :)

[Stella MacKay]

Oh my gosh! I showed my hubby the photos and his response "they should have sent the Advisory Board!" Nice try, Doug ;-)