I love going to convention and seeing my friends that I have made over the years. I went to my very first convention only having met one person – that was my upline and I just barely knew her at the time. My family thought I was crazy to stay in a hotel with a stranger someone I met on the internet – in a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator group – but still. And let’s say I was a little bit nervous about it when I went to that hotel room all those years ago. But I walked in and met Michele from Iowa and we are still friends now and while we didn’t room together these last couple of years we usually stay in the same hotel and spend time together during convention. This year one of Michele’s downline – Kelly – stayed in my room. A new friend! I’m sure she was a little unsure staying in a room with 3 people she hadn’t met but I think she had a great time – made lots of new friends and we will see each other for years to come.
Then there is the Stampin’ Up! part of convention – the opening general session, on stage presentations, stamping presentations and variety of classes and things we get to do. Convention always starts with an opening General Session – all the Stampin’ up! staff come to the convention center and line up for all the demonstrators to walk through – it’s such an energy charged happy time – music playing, people clapping, and high-fives, cheering, dancing and more! And this year we had fireworks!! Convention is now called Inspire, Create, Share – and this was the main stage. The side panels flashed photos that were taken throughout the event.
We started with all the various departments coming up on the stage and then Shelli came out and welcomed us. Then we got to hear Pam Morgan as she introduced us to the new Holiday Catalog. They will be mailing out this month and you can also pick one up at my classes starting around middle of August. Here is a peek at the cover!
We also heard from Becky Higgins as she and Shelli talked about the new partnership and our new product line Project Life by Stampin’ Up! – a simple, quick, easy, guilt-free way of memory keeping!
Then everyone dispersed and did various things throughout the afternoon. I went to a few quick little classes and then a group of friends and headed to the Stampin’ Up! corporate office in Riverton, Utah. One of the things we always do is get a photo out by the Stampin’ Up! rock – Oh – as our group finished up one of the Stampin’ Up! photographers came out and combined us with a few other demos and took pictures of us – one of those was on the Stampin’ Up! Facebook page – did you see it?
Inside we get to tour through the Legacy Room – which is like a display area and has some of the displays that you see photographed in the catalogs, through the Idea Room, the warehouse and Demonstrator Support areas.
It’s Michele – leaving a note on the wall for Stampin’ Up!
Once we finished up we got on the return bus and headed back to the convention center. But first a photo of the beautiful mountains behind the office.
I’ll share more about my evening adventures in a different post. Thanks for stopping by.
