Stampin’ Up! Convention Snaps!

SU! Groupies! Julie, Andrea, Leonie, Anna, Sarah, Tracey

AUSTRALIA / NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL STAMPIN’ UP! CONVENTION – CANBERRA – 1 & 2 MAY 2009

Hello again!

I am sorry … It has been such a busy day AGAIN!!! I had to write on Facebook yesterday in my status “Andrea is so busy today that she had to make a priority list of her priority list”!!! 😀

"Celebrate" Julie, Andrea, Tracey

I can’t wait to share some of the things I learnt at Convention … and show you some of the exquisite swaps that I received. I was also going to show you my swaps before I left. But … that just didn’t happen … did it!!!??? 😉 So … I still have to do that post!!! 😀

Friday dinner at Hogs Breath - Ness' team!

Anyway, I really really need to get my Saturday workshop organised … in case I need some supplies … but thought I would pop by first and share some Convention snaps! A few people have asked me … What is the the BEST thing about Convention???? Well I will tell you …

Andrea & Shelli - such a kind & gracious person

WAS IT ……..

• the “Workshop WOW’s”??? – You know  … those amazing, legendary demonstrators who demo some new techniques / projects or combine some new awesome products in a way you have never thought of???

Loved Keesh's presentation - here are some of her samples!

WAS IT ……..

• the inspirational sessions with Aussie demos?????– Loved the class by Sarah Klass on recruiting!!! 😀 (yes … we giggled at that pun!) And … Alison Charlton (one of Ness’ girls – 2nd downline) gave a FAB talk on wise investments … in other words … Can you really afford to buy ALL those stamp sets. She had some great hints on how to choose wisely!!!

Andrea & Ness - my wonderful upline

WAS IT ……..

• the “special guest” demonstrations??? – Even Shelli herself did a half hour project & card demo … and I am telling you  … she is REALLY talented! (She convinced me to buy a stamp set that I had never considered … just because of the gorgeous projects she used it for!!!!) Keesh & Marelle (favourite blogs of mine) both did knockout demos with stunning projects … and super helpful advice about running workshops.

Shelli's display board of her demo samples

WAS IT ……..

• the optional Leadership class??? – that made us all realise that we can be a great support & make a huge effort with our downlines … but that it is shown that (I think they said) 90% of motivation is self motivation. So … we are here to support & encourage … but they are the ones running their business. As Ness commented after, it was kinda “liberating”. (Ok … my recruits are not to start panicking now!!! I am not going to abandon you all!!!)

Andrea's Team - Julie, Andrea & Sarah (missing: Erin, Christine, Larissa + Michelle)

WAS IT ……..

• the hilarious talk by Derek Christensen???? (manager, international business support from US) – about “carrots / hard boiled eggs & coffee beans!!! He even had us dancing in the aisles! (Don’t worry … it was only for a moment … I don’t want to scare anyone off next year’s Convention)

OR …

• the delicious packed lunches & the incredible awards banquet??? – mmmm … just couldn’t complain about the food … plenty of it … and scrumptious!________________________

Andrea, Ness, Julie, Tracey at the awards banquet

WAS IT ……..

• momento mall??? – as if we didn’t have enough to spend money on once we had added all those extra stamp sets we had seen demo-d to our wish list!!! Momento mall … not quite as “stocked” as I imagined … but I LOVE my new “Manhatten Flower umbrella” – designed around the “Fifth Avenue Floral” stamp set! Cute stationery items & drink bottles! Lotsa fun chatting to the US girls on the checkout!

OR ……

• the awards & recognition ceremony??? Well … considering I got to do a “Stage Walk” … even if only briefly for a 20+K sales award … it was a highlight … and a thrill for me. But … it was even more exciting cheering Ness on with all her awards … I think she did 7 stage walks including no. 4 demo of the year … and Incentive trip. Sarah, Leonie & Anna were VERY enthusiastic with their cheering!!!

Andrea with Shelli - Award Ceremony

WAS IT ……..

• the gorgeous Crowne Plaza Hotel??? – lovely spacious & comfortable room AND yummy brekkie buffets!!!

So …

Which of these do you think was my very favourite thing about Convention? I think my photos might give it away!!!___

Actually … it wasn’t any thing on that REALLY IMPRESSIVE list … and I’m sure if I didn’t mention anything else … this has already convinced you to book your ticket for next year! But …

Ness' team & Hubby Simon (+ 2 extra friends)

It was … the friendships! Yep! I had the best “girls weekend away” ever! I had the best “roomies” a girl could ask for … thanks Tracey & Julie for all the chats … the encouragement … the hugs for moments that needed hugs … the sharing about family … the cheering & clapping … the ooohing & aaaahing together … and just being together all weekend. We had so much fun! It was also the rest of Ness’ team … particularly Sarah (my downline & special buddy) … and Leonie & Anna who were the “life of the party” all weekend. Their excitement & enthusiasm was sooooo contagious! You couldn’t help but smile just watching them! It was also a great chance to meet some of my blog friends who I was so anxious to meet. I was especially thrilled to meet Keesh, Alisa (demo no. 2 – & just lovely!) &  also Ngaire (demo no. 1 !!! – but so humble!) It was great to catch up with Leonie S again. And everyone was sooo super friendly. But … it was also Ness‘ kindness and enthusiasm for my itty bitty award … and the excitement she showed me in winning that award! She is such a hunny! And deserves all that she has achieved!

Sarah and Andrea

So … I hope you haven’t all run and got your “sick buckets” … But really … it is a little hard to express how much fun it was … and what a wonderful “girls weekend” it was … without sounding soppy & sentimental! So … apologies to those who are now feeling queasy … but I just wanted to share what my favourite thing about the weekend was!

Sunday Brekkie at Crowne Plaza hotel!

And … I also have to tell you … Convention is not only open to demonstrators! Any of our customers can share in all the fun & excitement! You can register as a “demonstrator guest” (you need a demo to go with) … and take part in everything! The fees are a little more expensive that demo fees … but you do get really good value for money! I didn’t think the fees were exhorbitant at all! I got plenty out of it … and came home with lots of goodies! So … maybe you might like to start saving now … for the 2010 Convention … YAY!!! It is in Sydney!!! Woo hoo! (Although … I feel so sorry that the WA girls have to travel so far again!)

Anyway, this was meant to be a really quick post … things to do!!! 😀 So I had better get going! I hope you enjoyed reading my Convention highlights! And … seeing some of the pics!!! It is a little self-indulgent … but I know some of you will enjoy seeing them!

Hope you have a great day! Back soon with some swaps!