(Above, l-r: Susan Campfield, Brenda Marshall, Rachel Tessman, me) This year once more I had the privilege of sitting in the reserved seating section for awards night at Cnvention 2012. Thanks to my fabulously awesome friends and the successes acheived by my team, I was named to the Top 100 Demonstrators of the Year and will be going on the exclusive Founder's Circle retreat in September again! To give you some perspective, there are around 40,000 demonstrators. I still have to pinch myself to think I am in the top 1,000 let alone the top 100!!
If you remember, last year I ranked 83rd out of 100. Unfortunately, they quit ranking them, so I have no idea if I bettered that or not. It was extremely anti-climactic! But it was still a really fun evening and I loved the Founder's Circle purse they gave us. And I will give my opinion on the countdown to SU, because they are a company that really does listen. I adore working for them! Best job EVAH!!
The girls and I headed to PF Chang's for a quick yummy dinner beforehand, which I guess is our Awards Night tradition! We neglected to get a group photo, though. In fact, we wound up with only ONE group photo taken on the first day of Convention. And none of the After Party!! Phooey!! They even had a red carpet photo opp place set up for us.
Above: Cristy Butzen, Kristin Chowanec, me. Below: me, France Martin).
Love these ladies!! They accept no excuses. They just go out and make their dreams happen. Still can't believe I am one of them!! They are some of the most positive and inspirational people I have ever met--with the ONLY exception being the Stampin' Up team!
(Above, l-r: Stella Mac Kay, Denise Sullivan, me) Everyone looked so nice! I love dressing up. And no, that is not my $15 dress I mentioned on Facebook. I ended up deciding to go for COLOR and wearing this green Grecian-inspired dress that just makes me happy. Unfortunately it also makes me look extra chunky... oop!! Time to lose a few pounds before the next photo opp!
(Top: Georgia Giguere, me. Above, l-r: Brenda Marshall, Tiffany Bauer, me, Robin Merriman) It was Royal Blue night.... obviously I didn't get the memo! We had lots of laughs. I can't wait to hang out with these incredible people in September. I got all registered yesterday!!
One of the biggest highlights of the night was sitting next to my beautiful friend Desiree (above) as she earned #2 in promotions for Canada AND was selected to a seat on the Advisory Board, a super exclusive year-long committee of top demonstrators who help Stampin' Up hash out things before they make changes to different parts of the program. What an honor! We also got to be recognized onstage for earning the 2013 Grand Vacation to Fiji (WHOO HOO!). During the march they played the highlight video from the 2012 Disney incentive trip, so I got to see pictures of my kids and my momma on the jumbtron once I made it back to my seat. I missed them so much!! Those sweeties had roses and hand-drawn cards waiting for me when I got in from the airport on Sunday afternoon.
What an inspiring night! Stampin' Up sure does know how to make their demonstrators feel special and appreciated. I never EVER dreamed this would be my life, but I'm so thankful and grateful for it!
You looked fabulous!!!! That is a great color on you!
Posted by: Brenda B | 07/26/2012 at 11:20 AM
I just love your dress and would love to know where you found it. I want one!! :)
Posted by: barb hendrickson | 07/26/2012 at 03:12 PM
Thanks, Barb! It's actually a couple of years old now, so I doubt you could still find it outside a thrift shop. I have been trying to remember where I got it and I think it was Dress Barn. They actually have some very decent, inexpensive formals and semi-formals.
Posted by: Lyssa Griffin Zwolanek | 07/26/2012 at 04:55 PM
I just noticed that my name is on the screen too in that picture you got for Achiever's Bonus. I'm so glad because I didn't get a picture of that. Thanks!! And, congrats!!
Posted by: Amy Storrie | 07/28/2012 at 08:17 AM