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Sunday
Sep122010

A Regional to Surprise and Delight!

At convention when I talked about change, I mentioned that we were going to take a close look at our events and come up with ways to surprise and delight those who attended; however, I also mentioned that planning for our regionals was pretty complete, and that it might be too far along to make many changes there.

Well, our first regional of the year—held in Ft. Worth, Texas—was absolutely fabulous! I’m not sure if the changes were already in the making before my announcement at convention, or if our Demonstrator Training group scrambled after convention to implement some changes, but either way, they did a fantastic job of taking an already wonderful event and making it even better.

I won’t go into a lot of details, because I don’t want to ruin the surprises for attendees of our regionals for the rest of the year, but there was a contest that I got to judge that was lots of fun, some new “energizers” (short activities to get participants acquainted with each other and thinking in different ways), more workshop wows (which are always a regional highlight), a model workshop (Glenda Travelstead was amazing!), and a few other things that really made this event memorable and valuable.

I think the thing that I was most impressed with is the pace of the event. Everything moved quickly, from one thing to the next, and the presentations were interesting, informative, and entertaining.  We follow the same agenda for each regional, and typically when we have a Friday and Saturday regional, on Saturday I’ll sit back and dual task a little, working on various projects, while I wait for my next turn on stage.

I didn’t do that in Ft. Worth, partly because there simply wasn’t enough time (everything was timed just the right length and it moved very quickly) and partly because the presentations were so interesting and valuable, I wanted to listen again!

Of course, we tweaked a little bit from Friday to Saturday—we always do. We listen to each other and give each other tips, and every regional runs a little bit smoother than the one before (hopefully), but the main content and information remains the same—and this year’s regionals are our best yet!

In addition to the program being wonderful, I loved meeting the participants. I can’t explain how much I enjoy meeting with our demonstrators—it means so much to me! And we had an unusually high number of guests at this regional, which is always fun as well. Several guests actually signed up at the regional (we offer a little incentive, which we’ve not had before either), and it was fun to see their enthusiasm about their new businesses.

And I was reminded how much I love the people I work with! They are simply amazing! We haven’t had a regional for awhile, and it’s so much fun. The group is smaller, more intimate, and we travel together, we eat together, we walk over to the event together—it’s just a great opportunity to get to know a few of our staff a little better.

And I can’t forget to mention my projects—I’ll post them here, but I’ve got a story to tell you about them, which I’ll save for tomorrow. In addition, I can’t count the number of people who took pictures of my skirt and necklace (both made from our fabric; I first wore them at convention), and I promised people I’d post them as well, so look for that post coming up in the next day or two as well.

I know I’ve mentioned it before, but I love our new fabric and am so excited with the many ways we can use it. This project (a card pouch) was so easy to make, and I really like the different but coordinating inside and outside! You can get six pouches (measuring approximately 7" x 14")  from one package of our fabric, so it’s pretty inexpensive,  and still have plenty of leftover scraps to accessories your cards as well as several other different projects. 

Spoiler alert—if you’re a Gardner girl, stop reading here. I’m planning on making one of these for each of my girls, and I might even make a few more to give out as gifts as we head into the holiday season.

 

And the cards were quick and easy too. (I showed a full shot, and then a close-up of the fabric accent.) Of course, you can tuck any standard-sized (4-1/4" x 5-1/2") card into these pouches, but I like the coordinating look of these cards, especially when I’m giving it as a gift.

So that’s my regional report—simply amazing! I was surprised and delighted, and I hope all of our attendees were as well! I’m already looking forward to the next regional!

 

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Reader Comments (27)

Ft Worth was my first regional (I've only been a demo for 6 months) and it was absolutely amazing! It was wonderful to meet Shelli too! Thanks for all that you guys do, I really appreciate all of you, Shelli, Carrie, Mark, Shannon and all the wow presenters and of course, Glenda was amazing! Thanks and look forward to the next regional or convention, whichever comes first! Nyla
September 12, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterNyla Oliver
Ft Worth was my first regional (I've only been a demo for 6 months) and it was absolutely amazing! It was wonderful to meet Shelli too! Thanks for all that you guys do, I really appreciate all of you, Shelli, Carrie, Mark, Shannon and all the wow presenters and of course, Glenda was amazing! Thanks and look forward to the next regional or convention, whichever comes first! Nyla
September 12, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterNyla Oliver
WOW!You are making me more impatient to attend the Baltimore regional. Counting the days.
September 12, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterIlina Crouse
Shelli, this was an awesome event - thank you and Stampin Up for making it such a fun wonderful day - the day flew by - I couldn't believe it was over when it was! The Workshop Wows were amazing, and I agree with you - makes you wonder if some of these ladies ever sleep! Enjoyed meeting you and seeing in person your amazing skirt made with the SU material - I think I just might try to make one ...
September 12, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterMarilyn Moseley
I am really looking forward to our regional in St.George this coming week! Love your projects! WOW.. is it already here!? We are going to Founder's Circle THIS WEEK! :) Whoohooo ! See you there!
Patty Bennett
September 12, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterPatty Bennett
Shelli,
What an awesome event! This was my second regional and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I left with some new, fresh creative ideas as well as some really helpful business tips. It was wonderful meeting you...thanks for taking the time to visit with us.:)
September 12, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterLisa Brown
Looking forward to seeing you in just a few short days!
September 13, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterDawn Olchefske
Shelli, Ft. Worth was fabulous! Everyone from the home office did a wonderful job and the changes truly are a lot of fun. And I enjoyed all the WOW presentations too.

The project you showed on stage and that is featured in this blog post stuck with me the most. I can't wait to make my own since it is such a neat way to show appreciation for others right then and there! Thank you so much for sharing that with us.
September 13, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterTrina Caraway
Shelli, thank you for letting us interrupt your dual tasking time to talk with us and take pictures. You are a joy. I have to admit I was a little intimidated to talk to you at first but you are so kind that you made it easy. Thank you to everyone that put on the event, I had a great time!
September 13, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterMarion Dornan
I love the projects- they keep me so inspired and eager to go up to my office and stamp and create. I also look forward to seeing your skirt and necklace. I love everything about stampin up. Keep up the excellent work everyone! Oh, and your artist who design the stamp images are amazing. I hope they know that! Stampin Up has the best art work in rubber stamping!!
September 13, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterChristina
Shelli, what a great regional it was in Ft Worth...Glenda was a hoot and what a wonderful, awesome demo she gave...what a formula for success...thanks so much for bringing regs close to home once again...Sandi
September 13, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterSandi Runyan
It was a blast! So glad I was able to attend. And I have to second the thank you for taking the time for photos and a brief chat...it was very much appreciated. You make each of us feel special.
September 13, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterJennifer
I am registered for the regional in Portland on Oct 23 and I can't wait to see what you have in store for us.
I do have to respectfully disagree with one thing--you have had incentives if you signed up at at a regional before. I went to one of, if not the first regional in Portland Or in Nov. 1999. If you signed up that day you received a ring bound album. I turned in my paperwork then and still have the album to this day. (My start date is Nov 23, 1999, demo #24169.)
Love your blog, seeing your projects and what your family is up to.
September 13, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterKrista Pomeroy
Shelli,
We moved to a new state awhile back which required me to start my business over. In the midst of getting moved and settled in, my SU! business sort of fell by the wayside. When the opportunity came up to go to a regional that was just an hour away I was very excited. But not as much as I am now AFTER going. Everything was wonderful. Kudo's to your staff and other demo's that participated. I have been revived and can't wait to get back to what I love.
Thank you again,
September 13, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterBrenda
This was my first SU event to attend and all I can say is WOW. Thank you everyone for working so hard on making the Ft Worth Regional a huge success.
September 13, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterMary Kay
I LOVE this project!! I was SO LOOKING FORWARD to having the material and lace in the land of OZ......PLEASE let us have them too.
Shelli - it was wonderful meeting you and I just LOVE your style - I'm also a Vintage Girl.
September 13, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterCathy McLean
This was my first Regional (in fact, my first SU event). I had a blast, learned some new techniques, and was SO impressed by Shelli and the rest of the SU! crew. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. I came home truly energized!
September 13, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterTia Hurt
Count me in as an attendee who was surprised & delighted. Loved it all!
September 13, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterSharon McCartney
LOVE your new blog header! The color scheme really says "Fall".
September 13, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterChristina
Like many others, this was my first ever Stampin' Up event to attend. I never dreamed I would meet YOU, and and the rest of the CREW!!!!! WOW indeed!!!! The entire experience was fantastic. I learned so much, and came home with such a positive feeling. You are wonderful, and your sincerity and caring show through and through. Thank you so much for a wonderful,wonderful experience, and hopefully the first of many more to come for me.
September 13, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterCarol Haffner
Shelli,
The Ft Worth regional was my first SU event and it was fabulous. I can't wait for the next one. It was also so nice to meet you, the SU staff and presenters. It went by too fast. I hope to attend convention next year. Thanks for the inspiration and motivation.
September 14, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterGenevieve Valdes
Thanks so much for the fabulous Fort Worth Regional! Between the Stampin' Up! presenters and the Workshop WOW's, I learned so many new techniques and business tips that I can't wait to implement. I brought three guests with me and they were all so impressed with the seminar - not just with the content but with how well-run the seminar was. They thanked me over and over for inviting them. So thank YOU, Shelli and the rest of the Stampin' Up! team for an informative and extremely fun event!
September 14, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterKathy Douglas
Sounds like another great event! I hope SU! comes back to Quebec soon and that we get to see you then!

Thanks for sharing the wonderful projects you've created there. :)

Cindy
September 15, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterCindy Major
Shelli, It was great meeting you in person and seeing your wonderful skirt, new ideas and inspiration. I had a super time at my first big event and look forward to attending in the future. I thought the projects were great, the presenters were incredible, and the fellowship inspired me. Thanks for all you do.
Carol Rains, The Colony, TX
September 15, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterCarol Rains
love your blog header Shelli! can't wait for this to be downloadable! The cards you made with the fabric are so sweet! Awesome ideas!
September 16, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterRose

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