Minneapolis Musings

Just got home this morning from our first spring regional in Minneapolis, Minnesota—brutally cold outside (although the locals told us it can be much worse. . . brrrrrr!) but plenty of warmth inside! When I arrived on Thursday, it was so cold I swore I was staying inside the whole weekend, and I did! Room service every night (usually I get out at least one night for dinner with our staff), a warm bath, plenty of time to work. Although it warmed up a little outside and some of the staff ventured out, I was very content to enjoy Minneapolis in February from my hotel!

Weather aside, the weekend was fabulous—I LOVE regionals! We had a great crowd both days (Friday and Saturday)—our Saturday crowd was particularly lively! The minute they walked in, the room started bubbling with energy!

We’ve had a little break since our fall regionals, so it was fun to get back in the groove. Most of the presentations have been changed up a bit, and I continue to feel like I did in the fall—the pace is fast, the training is invaluable, and the ideas are amazing! Occasionally in past years I’ve struggled a bit in the afternoon—tummy is full from lunch, lights are low, feeling happy and content. . . I want to take a nap! But I haven’t had that happen at any regionals this year. There’s just way too much happening to even think about getting drowsy!

Our 3 o’clock home office snack tradition, which we incorporated in the fall regionals, has quickly become a favorite; I’m pretty sure we’ll be calling it our 3 o’clock regional tradition now. It’s a different snack every time. . . we’ve had popcorn, ice cream, chips and salsa, and this time we had cupcakes. Mmmmmmm. . ..

I had to fight the urge to break away from chatting with demonstrators and take tons of pictures—there were so many projects that I wanted to remember! (And unfortunately, my photographic memory is sadly lacking!) If I have to choose, though, I’ll choose spending time with demonstrators every day! The people are what our events are really all about. . .but I was very inspired by the projects!

I got to spend some time looking over a lot of the projects when I judged the contest, so I especially enjoyed that. I could have sneaked my camera out then, but I was judging in the back of the hall while someone was presenting on stage, and we encourage everyone to pay attention to our presenters, so I felt like it would be counterproductive to have me snapping photos in the background.

I usually show my regional project when I blog about the regional, but this weekend I showed a partial project —a gift that I’m going to give my girls for Valentine’s Day. I told the regional participants that they could check on the blog in the next few days to see the complete project. I’ll tell you the same. . .I should have it done by Tuesday or Wednesday, so check back. (I do have a Valentine’s surprise for my grandchildren that I’ll post tomorrow.)

Thanks, everyone who was at the Minneapolis regional, for a wonderful weekend. It’s great to be starting our spring round of regionals!

Comments

[Dawn Olchefske]

It was so great seeing you in Minnesota, my home state. It was actually a warm weekend, as it was in the single digits (and below) just the week before. As always, the presentations were great, make & takes were fabulous...(love the banner) and the cupcakes were a fun surprise! Thank you for taking time to talk to my group - they so loved it and you!

[Deb Hoekstra]

Shelli - The Minneapolis regional was my first ever Stampin' Up! event. It was WONDERFUL! I came away with so many ideas and feel very energized. The presentations were TOP QUALITY. I brought a guest with me and she really enjoyed the day as well. I'd like to say thanks to you and the other SU staff for all your work in hosting such a fun event.

[Patrice Pierce]

I was at the Saturday Minneapolis Regional and it was FANTASTIC! I didn't want to take a nap because I didn't want to miss a thing! I came home with so many great ideas and so much inspiration! Every SU event I've been to has been great, and this one was top-notch, too!

Saturday night my hubby and I walked around downtown Mlps, and we were unzipping our coats because we were getting too hot. :) But we're comparing that with the -20 we had earlier in the week. Melting snow can mean only one thing- Spring is near!!!

[Michelle Kuhn AKA: Kuhnie]

Thanks for a great regional. As usually, my group had a fabulous time sharing cards, presenting WOW's, eating cupcakes (yum!), and most of all spending time with all the regional attendees. We can't wait for convention! We already started planning on our car ride home. Thank you again for every thing you do and the Stampin' Up staff does to make us feel special. See you at convention 2011!

[Angie Oldenberg]

Shelli - this regional was fun as always. And I agree with the fact that the make n takes were the best ever. I finished my CREATE banner at home yesterday! I was happy to be able to bring my one downline member and three guests to this one and meet old friends from previous regionals and Convention! What a great day!

[Amy Fink]

Thank you to you, and your staff, and all the fabulous Midwest Demonstrators who presented. Saturday's regional was top notch! In fact, I was so excited when I got home, I have 2 new recruits I will be signing up!!! I am so excited, and that wasn't even my + ONE plan! Thanks agian--can't wait for Convention!!

Amy

[Bev Gomez]

Oh Shelli, Thank you for coming to Mpls for the regional. It was so much fun and it got me so motivated! I brought a friend that wanted to get her picture taken with you and she is going to sign up this month so I am super excited to have my first downline. The regional was absolutely fabulous!!!!! My check book is saying "oh that Shannon, why did she tell us about text stamps!" That was just sew cool! I spent my ride home stopping at craft stores with a notebook in hand to write down all these cool sayings I could order to make it a SU product! What a great selling tool!God bless you Shelli and my first plus one goal has been met! Love it! Bev

[Bev Gomez]

Oh and yes Julie is signing up before she goes to Aruba!!!!!!

[Kristy Bettenhausen]

Thanks so much for the wonderful Regional that you & your staff put on in Minneapolis. My team members loved that they got to meet you & that you were so gracious about taking a picture with us. Thanks for making their 1st Stampin' Up Event a huge hit. We are starting our trip planning for convention. YAY!

[Tina Petko]

I was one of the Saturday demos and have been to several Regionals before. This by far was the greatest! The energy in the room, swaps being judged by you, hoping to be a winner for prize patrol or for the swap. Loving the extras this year; the prize each of us got, glass glitter was sweet and the icing on the cake, no pun intended, the cupcake break in the afternoon. WOW! Loved taking our picture with you as well, felt like I had a little taste of heaven on Saturday...thanks for the wonderful experience.

[Jenni Mueller]

Thank you for coming to Minneapolis Shelli! It was so great to finally meet you. I really enjoyed all the presentations and went home with tons of great ideas! thanks again for a wonderful day!

[kimberly sherva]

Thank you so much Shelli for coming to Minn. I have so much fun when you all come to Minn. to put on a regional get together. This was my first chance to meet you! You are just sweet. I loved the projects we made at regionals and the 3 o'clock snack. Thank you so much for all your hard work you and your staff do in order to put on regionals. What a blessing you are and What a blessing stampin' up! has been to me. I think it is so funny... and sad that Saturday was warm for us!!

[Angela July]

Shelli,
I really enjoyed Regional last weekend! I took so many notes and pictures and I am still trying to organize them at home!
Regional along with the Recruit Crew workshop has really gotten me PUMPED! I booked a workshop and I am working on my 1st recruit! Thanks for a wonderful Saturday, and the 3pm snack tradition was right up my alley!

[Cindy]

I read that you would be attending the Montreal Regional in April and I'm super excited about that, as this is the first Quebec event you'll be attending! I've had the chance to meet with you and snap a pic at past US events, but my downline members have not, so I'm looking forward to them meeting you and seeing why you're so loved and how there's a huge heart behind the company!

And on the plus side, our dreary Canadian winter will be over once the Regionals roll over. I hope you're planning to stay in town a little longer to visit a bit!

Au plaisir de se voir à Montréal!
Cindy