Welcome to the monthly Thailand Achievers Blog Hop where you will be treated to creative inspiration from top-achieving Stampin' Up! demonstrators from all over the world! We love that we are a global family and enjoy connecting and collaborating right from home:) Our theme this month is On Stage Highlights, and I'm delighted to share that with you today as I had a fabulous experience in Phoenix!
There were 5 venues to choose from in the US, and I headed to Phoenix largely because my Southwest Airlines free points would take me there on a non-stop flight:) I'm a very practical girl. Two of my team members met me there, Melissa and Patsy, and we roomed together which was lots of fun and gave us lots and lots of connecting time since we all live in different cities.
Of course, where Stampin' Up! demonstrators gather, there is swapping! Here's the swap I took with me (my team meeting attendees and my stamp club members are making it this month, too:) I hope you like my take on the Star of Light stamp set in all neutral colors for subtle elegance. It's a quick and easy card starring Tip Top Taupe and the fabulous Copper Foil Sheets–an unlikely pair! All Stampin' Up! supplies are listed and linked below for your convenience.
On the Friday night in Phoenix, Stampin' Up! hosted a dinner event called Centre Stage for leaders at Silver Elite title and above. It's a super nice dinner, gifts (a beautiful bag with Stampin' Up! embroidered on it, a leather passport holder (!!!), and pens), time to connect with other leaders, and leadership training. The entire On Stage event was at the Convention Center, so they just had us at round tables with nice tablecloths, centerpieces, etc. which would then serve for the main event the next day. Centre Stage is worth shooting for. It's one of the many ways Stampin' Up! rewards us as we step into leadership and team building. I love the more intimate nature of this event and get lots of practical ideas and inspiration. We had a presentation by one of the SU corporate staff as well as real demonstrators "in the field". For us, we had Tami White and Becky Roberts, and they both gave fabulously inspiring presentations! I geeked out and got a selfie with Tami White at the end of the night:) It was my very first experience with a selfie stick! LOL! Of course, Tami had several in her bag. She is a selfie stick expert!
Saturday waver full day as we began at 8:30 and didn't finish until 6! The day was PACKED with demonstrations, make & take sessions, lunch, swapping, more demonstrations and training, prize patrol(free products!), and displays. I was in creative overload! It was so much fun, and the best part of all is getting our own copy of the Occasions Catalog and Sale-a-Bration brochures–which debut in January. Getting it first is fab! All the demonstrations and Make & Takes were using new products. That helps us head into the new year with tons of experience and time to play with products and make displays before the new Occasions Catalog and SAB go live. And being this early in November (it was November 4-5), we get our hands on things before the holiday rush so we aren't stressed (theoretically:). I've never been to a Stampin' Up! event that didn't wow and inspire me on every level. SU really knows how to host events. And they really know how to reward us when we achieve goals.
This was the event where accomplishments during the past SU year were recognized and awarded. I walked the stage several times and loved every minute of that recognition! (I used to be uncomfortable up on stage in front of people, but Stampin' Up! has helped me through that:) The big surprise came when they began announcing the new Top 100 Global category. I NEVER dreamed I would make the cut for that elite group. With almost 50,000 demonstrators in the USA, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, and the South Pacific, it's a huge honor and major achievement. (They rank us on various parts of our business, so this is all on merit–not whim or popularity) I was shocked when my name was called. And I am humbled and thankful beyond words.
I am so very grateful to the many who have helped me on my journey–my awesome Southern Sweet Stampers team, my family who supports me and cheers me on, my company that gives ordinary people like me the opportunity to touch people, build them up, and help them share kindness and love, my loyal customers who consistently support my small business and make me laugh and enjoy what I do. This is what God has given me to do–to help others enjoy creativity and worthwhile accomplishments, making a difference along the way. As I do it with all my heart, He blesses me in ways beyond my wildest dreams. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!!!!
I'll be sharing some sneak peeks in the days ahead, so come back for that. In the meantime, hop on to the next stop on our blog hop to see more fabulous On Stage highlights.