I’m back to talk about day 2 while it’s all still fresh in my mind.
Our second day started with our Make and takes. Upon registration we received 2 new stamp sets; ’Printed Petals’ and ‘Party this way’. These sets will feature in the new Catalogue coming out in September. We had four projects to do with our new stamps but I think most people, including myself completed two to three in the allotted time. There was a lot of socialising going on after all. I will have a picture of my make and take projects some time this week but in the meantime here is a photo of our table just finishing up.
Later followed some more inspirational talks and more demos by US staff Bonnie Thurber, who seemed to have her voice back by that stage and Pam Morgan who showed us how you can perfect an exercise routine substituting your Big Shot for weights to the tune of Olivia Newton John’s ‘Lets get Physical’.
By this stage we were nearing the end of the general session, but Oh...wait! another prize patrol was announced. After already attending the Convention and regional training last year, I was bemoaning the fact that I had never won prize patrol to anybody who would listen. But on the very last PP announcement, I waited to see if my particular wrist band pattern would be flashed up on the screen. The red circle pattern flashed up!! and I was up too on my feet dancing around like a lunatic with my hands in the air along with about 20 other people out of 500 who had just won. Thank goodness nobody had a video camera at that point! It didn’t matter that I had won the Cottage Garden stamp set that I ordered for myself 2 weeks ago.....I HAD WON!!!
As if that wasn’t enough excitement, Shelli on stage started to talk about how she knew some people were disappointed that they hadn’t won anything. Exactly where was she heading with this, is she going to give everybody a free set like they have done in the US???
Before we knew it we were all on our feet dancing and clapping like lunatics following the announcement that we were ALL receiving another new set; Perfect Punches!!
Well that signalled the end of a great Convention and we all filed out mingling and socialising, anticipating a great dinner and awards night later on. Here’s members of Stampers Anonymous that attended.
Most people went back to their hotel rooms to chill after a great afternoon, but 4 of our team, Ruth, Joelle, Lorna and Myself, who didn’t have hotels, chose to be strangers in our own city. We wandered around Darling Harbour past the Jazz festival in full swing and ended up at the Lindt cafe in Cockle Bay. YUM!!
Six-forty five came and we were all dressed up along with everybody else for the big awards night and dinner. The doors opened and we were besieged by paparazzi, flashes going off, red carpet and screaming fans....well the screaming fans were actually Stampin Up staff, but the effect was great. As for the paparazzi...check this out!
And here is our red carpet photo....
We took our seats for dinner and there was a fantastic Jazz and Swing Band playing in the background. We were joined at our table by US demonstrator Bonnie and also Amy who was another US staffer involved with the marketing side of things. Also there was Clare from Demonstrator Support here in Sydney. We really had interesting conversations and we tried to get Clare to spill the beans on where the next Convention was being held but she remained tight lipped.
Gorgeous meal over, it was onto the awards. Most of our team where there to see our leader Marelle Taylor get a swag of awards and we weren’t disappointed. She was up and down off that stage like nobody’s business. The awardees received stamp sets and the higher their achievements, the more big prizes and stamp sets they won. They were flashing pictures of the Sets up on the big screen and we were there drooling away and excited to see what other new sets we would be getting in the new catty, come September.
Marelle was placed 4th overall in Australia for Sales and Recruiting and didn’t we all cheer for her.
Well, there was more excitement to come. We found out that the next incentive trip was going to be in Fiji by way of all the polynesian dancers and performers that sprang from nowhere and proceeded to get people up on stage, gyrating their hips and everything else to the music. They seemed to pick on husbands who had come to the awards night to see their ladies receive their awards. Fat chance they’ll be back next time. Even Shelli’s husband Sterling wasn’t spared, much to everybody’s enjoyment. Even one of our own team members Katie cut a fine form on the stage dancing with the scantily dressed men, amid all the cheering.
We recovered from that and then it was time for the big announcement of where the next Convention would be held. It turned out to be Melbourne and not only that, it will run for 3 days instead of 2.
Well I think thats more than enough from me. Truly a great way to spend 2 days.
Thanks for checking in.
Jen
0 comments:
Post a Comment