Convention Is Coming!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 12:07AM Last week we had our Australian convention, and it got me all excited for our US/CAN convention, coming up in July! Hands-down, convention is one of my absolute favorite Stampin’ Up! events, and I am already looking forward to the opportunity to spend time with our wonderful demonstrators and feel the incredible excitement and motivation that always accompanies every convention.
Someone recently asked me, Why should a demonstrator attend convention?
While the question certainly made sense (after all, much of the information and training offered at convention can be found online), a long list of things came flooding into my mind—and I wanted to share them with you!
Certainly the opportunity to see new products being used for the first time is valuable. Watching people demonstrate how things work—and in some instances having the opportunity to do a little hands-on experimenting yourself—opens your mind to all sorts of exciting possibilities where new products are concerned.
The project ideas that are shown at convention are staggering. Besides the dozens of things you see on stage, there are literally thousands of projects shown on the display boards and in the marketing areas. I’m convinced you could find every project idea you need for the next year at convention!
The recognition and rewards that take place at convention are truly inspiring. The pride and excitement I see in our demonstrator’s eyes and on their faces when they march across the stage (and you didn’t think I was paying attention when I was back stage, did you?) makes me smile—and sometimes even tear up. And the Awards Night is a convention highlight for me—the chance to see demonstrators rewarded for significant achievements in their Stampin’ Up! career.
There’s also classes taught by your peers, demonstrators who are going through what you’re going through and who have great ideas to share. There are classes taught by our professional training staff, who offer valuable tips and hints on how to strengthen your business in every aspect.
In addition, there’s our annual game show, live entertainment, prize patrols, the Memento Mall, the convention bag and Make & Takes (all that free stuff!)—none of which are even available online. The list goes on and on. . .
But by far, the most valuable aspect of convention for me is the intangible experience that takes place as we gather together, face to face, and share Stampin’ Up! with each other. The groups of demonstrators swapping in hotel lobbies, in the convention lobby, in corners of the hallways and at tables in the Gathering Place. . . I LOVE walking through that electric environment and seeing the creativity and camaraderie at work!
The impromptu conversations that take place between new friends and old friends, as we discuss what we love most about Stampin’ Up!, and also what’s hard and challenging—then share stories and solutions and support.
And the opportunity you get to spend valuable time (sometimes even into the wee hours of the morning) with your fellow demonstrators. Women who get what you’re about, who share your passion for stamping and creating, who understand more than anyone else the role Stampin’ Up! has played in your life.
If you haven’t signed up to spend a few days with us in Salt Lake City in July, do it today—you won’t regret it. Convention is one of the most fun, exciting, and inspiring events we offer—I can’t wait to share another convention experience with you!
Reader Comments (27)
Mary Beth
There are not many jobs where you walk in and feel all that positive energy, not many jobs where you have people who truly love what they do. The old and new friendships are what I truly cherish! A quick tip: I use my points from my credit card, points that I accumulated during the year with stampin up orders etc. It covers my flight ticket and my hotel room. Also, I do a retiring party and a new catalogue party so this is for my spending money, memento mall etc. If you never been, truly assess why and put it in your goals for the future! July is just not getting here fast enough!(smile)
This part is so much fun but the part I look forward to the most is spending time with friends, swapping cards, and listening to all the great information from the stage.
The free prizes and getting to walk across the stage to celebrate our accomplishments makes all that work worthwhile.
May each of us who are blessed to attend convention 2010 come home with excitement that will be contagious! My customers and friends can't wait to see all the new ideas.
Thank you for all you do
Stampin Up ROCKS! Sherrill Graff istmpnv@aol.com
You are so right about how awesome convention is - even for the husbands/partners of the demo's!! Ok, I couldn't go to the classes, but I had a great time at the awards dinner cheering for my wife, Marelle in Sydney, as she scooped the pool (1st recruiting, 2nd in sales and 4th overall-YAY!!) - but I digress.
I was hoping you could pass on my MAD Balloon blog (no this is not a spam message...) to Bonnie Thurber please. I remember hearing about Bonnie arriving in Melbourne last year for regionals and her luggage not arriving with her, and how she rose to the challenge - and triumphed.
I had the same Bonnie-esque experience last weekend while teaching in QLD, and used Bonnie as my inspiration to get through. You can see the short video on my blog.
I sent a little cheerio to you and Sterling as well, so feel free to have a sneeky peek yourself. Looking forward to Hamilton Island in October.
love your work
Dave Taylor
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