What a LONG day! But oh so exciting! I woke at 4am and couldn't go back to sleep. I crawled out of bed at 5:30 then proceeded to serenade Kristin A as her alarm went off. From our hotel room, I could see about 8 demonstrators starting to form a line for the convention center. Kristin and I were in the first group of 20. However, I didn't really need to wait, but it's still fun. Because I'm a "helper" this year - I'm an official reporter- I got into Memento Mall 30 minutes before everyone else. The products inside were fantastic. There was an umbrella, a lunch tote, a cold beverage cup, a sweater, a t-shirt, ribbon charms, SNAIL leashes, pens, business tools, and more! The displays inside Memento Mall were adorable as well.
After checking out, I headed into the Gathering Place where I visited with some SU employees, snapped photos of the displays, tried on hoodies for the Disney Trip, and just tried to kill time as I waited for my downline members to finish shopping.
Our next stop was the Awards Booth. Kristin A earned a stamp set for recruiting. I stepped up and earned a stack of stamps, several pins, and a GORGEOUS purse that indicated that I was once again a member of Founder's Circle - the top 100 demonstrators in the US. Tomorrow night at Awards Night I will learn where I ranked in the 100.
Kristin and I headed back to our hotel to dump our stuff then back to the convention center to pick up the GREAT convention bag which you will see me carrying at EVERY workshop! Then we wandered over to Temple Square to eat on the 10th floor of the John Smith Memorial Building that provided great views of the city.
We then raced over to the VIP Room (Kristin and I are VIPs because we had a new demonstrator join our teams in April). We relaxed, snacked, and then raced down the hall to board the shuttles that took us to the home office in Riverton for a special guided tour.
The tour was great! We were split up into groups of 10. We got to see and experience LOTS that we'd never seen before. We wandered around the warehouse seeing much more of the process than ever before. We also had the opportunity to see Shelli's office. And, whether or not we were allowed, we each sat and posed for a photo at Shelli's desk. Yes, we are dorks. Shelli had also made up a little gift for each of us that included her favorite caramels and a hand-stamped bookmark that she'd signed.
After racing back to the convention center, we were led back into the VIP room for a special meet & greet and photo opportunity with Shelli.....oh and there were donuts!
We returned to the hotel to relax before heading BACK to the convention center for a kick-off party with prizes, games, demonstrations, and swapping! I enjoyed just visiting with my friends.
I think that's a fairly quick summary of what my day was like. Tomorrow will be a fun day packed full of classes (including the one my friend Mary Ellen is teaching), parades, prizes, and Awards Night. I'm so excited and nervous.
Let's see how many photos this thing will let me add!!!! I will try to upload more to my Facebook page tonight and on here when I get home.
Congrats on making the Top 100 again! WHOOT!
Posted by: Denise | July 14, 2011 at 07:39 AM
Omg! You color coordinated with Shellie! L-O-V-E the Founder's circle purse. Founder's Circle Awards in our group - Go PhillyInkers!!! So proud. Thanks for the great update and pics, Kristin - you look fantastic! Happy for everyone in our group who's in SLC right now.
Posted by: Tara Gupta | July 14, 2011 at 07:51 AM