This past week was one of the greatest weeks of my entire life. While I have heard countless demonstrators say how Stampin’ Up!’s Annual Convention changed their life, I’ve never quite understood what they mean. How could a gathering of people who enjoy a common craft make that much of a difference? I will admit that there was nothing normal about my first convention experience – it’s not what most people go through – but I totally get it now. Convention has definitely changed my life forever, and I am profoundly grateful for every moment of it. I am so happy to share some of this experience with you today.
My Tour of Stampin’ Up!
On Thursday morning, thousands of us converged on Stampin’ Up! headquarters for the annual tour. I want to share a couple of pictures from our visit. Justin Krieger and I are standing just inside the atrium of Stampin’ Up!’s main lobby (you can see the “Be the Difference” sign in the background – it was the theme of this year’s Convention):
More about Justin later. We took a peek at the warehouse while we were there. This is where your boxes are setup and the packing begins:
I found this lamp at Stampin’ Up! headquarters. I want to own it, please:
At the main entrance to headquarters, there are two rocks (one on either side of the entrance) that showcase the Stampin’ Up! logo. Thousands of demonstrators have had their picture standing behind the rock, but few are able to mount the rock with just a little hop. 🙂 Justin took this picture of me:
My Presentation
After the tour, I went back to the hotel to prepare for Opening Ceremonies and my big presentation. As I’ve already shared with you, I was invited to speak at Convention. What a crazy honor! I was asked to prepare a board with 15 new projects and to give a 15-minute presentation on the topic of Masculine Projects. Speaking in front of demonstrators from all over the world was amazing! A lot of people came by my booth, and I was so glad I could share with them. Here is a quick shot of my display board. Don’t look too closely at the samples on my display board, though, because they will each be featured on my blog over the next couple of weeks – I don’t want to ruin the surprise for you.
Shannon West is an amazing Curriculum Developer and Trainer for Stampin’ Up! Here’s a snapshot of Shannon and me in the hall where my presentation took place. Behind us is the center of the massive room. I was one of six demonstrators in a tiny booth, presenting my views on masculine cards and some background techniques over and over and over. This room was filled with almost 6,000 demonstrators, many who stopped at my booth to listen to my presentation: 
This photograph was taken by my great friend, Nicole Watt. Not only is Nicole a talented artist (she is the queen of MDS and can stamp an awesome card), she is also an amazing photographer. Nicole snapped this picture while I was marketing Stampin’ Up!’s line of specialty paper towels (page 49 of the Annual Catalog):
I knew I was going to be offering the same presentation every fifteen minutes or so. I assumed I would have a break between sessions, but that wasn’t the case. As soon as I said, “Thank you for stopping by tonight,” one crowd left and another appeared. I only had time to clear my table to start over while another crowd assembled. I loved every minute of it! My good friend, Kris Kilcoyne, snapped this picture of my presentation (that’s a mirror above me so that everyone could see what I was doing):
Kris also snapped this picture of some demonstrators who are watching my presentation. I love seeing my name on a Stampin’ Up! sign (does it get any cooler than that?!). The other thing – and I didn’t know this until I arrived to setup – Stampin’ Up! chose demonstrators from each of the major countries where they have a presence. I was the USA demonstrator. WHAT!? That’s absolutely crazy, and I couldn’t have been more honored.
That was Thursday night. After three hours of presenting to a full crowd, I was done. My voice was gone, and me feet were hurting, but I could have kept going. Again, I loved every minute of it.
Awards Night
Friday was filled with amazing main stage presentations and classes. Friday night was Awards Night. I got to put on my sports coat and dress pants to celebrate the accomplishments of lots of amazing demonstrators.
I worked really hard to have an incredible first year, and I am thankful for every person who supported me and loved me while I worked toward my goals. I earned Stampin’ Up!’s Rising Star Award, which is given to demonstrators who reach certain sales and recruiting levels in their first year. I was one of four US demonstrators who achieved the honor this year, and I am the first male to ever earn the title. How cool is that?! Here’s a quick shot of the screen as Scott Nielsen, Stampin’ Up!’s Chief Financial Officer, made the announcement. Every year, Stampin’ Up! has given the recipient of Rising Star a silver necklace with a star. He explained that they added a watch this year as a gift for the first male. The gracious crowd went wild.
As my name was called, I felt the immediate embrace of the Pals, but I also felt an amazing roar from the rest of the crowd. It was amazing! Here’s a quick photo of Shelli Gardner and me (either before or after we hugged). While Nicole grabbed a photo that looks like Shelli and I are about to be married, that is not one of the amazing things that happened this week:
Kris snagged this photo on the jumbotron – a photo I will cherish for a very long time (check out these gorgeous smiles):
Here’s a picture with Mary Fish and Lisa Pretto, both Rising Stars during their first year with Stampin’ Up! Mary earned just about every award available that night. She is truly remarkable, and I am forever grateful to her for her support and friendship.
Here’s a quick recap video of Convention. I am fortunate to have been showcased a couple of times in this amazing video – see if you can find me.
Friends
While I was super-jazzed about my presentation and thoroughly enjoyed Awards Night, the greatest part of Convention was seeing some great people and making new friends. I have run this blog for over a year now, and I’ve met a couple of blog readers who tell me they read my words each day and enjoy my projects. At Convention, though, a lot of those people were in one place. It was amazing. I finally met a lot of “regulars” on my blog (and you’ll recognize these names): Carol Carriveau, Carol Coneeny, Sharon Francis, Bobbi Miller, Cindie McDuffee and Jennifer Lande. I also met Patti Willey, one of my first dedicated readers:
I was also so pleased to meet a lot of the Pals (Mary Fish’s Stampin’ Pretty Pals) I had never met before (a definite highlight of my trip), and I was delighted to see several Pals I had already met, like Ann Schach:
And Windy Ellard:
Don’t pay attention to the top, left corner of this photo. Pam would kill me if I ever shared this picture with you (she was texting), so please don’t look at it so that she won’t be mad at me. That brings me to Pam. When I joined Pam’s group, I had no idea where this journey would take me. I can’t begin to tell you what a wonderful woman this is. Pam is my “Stampin’ Mom” – and although she is not old enough to be my biological mother, she has done so much to support and teach me at every stage of the way. Here we are, hanging out in the Convention Recognition Room:
I have a million things to be happy for at Convention 2013. I was given an opportunity to address thousands of demonstrators. I met (and hugged) Shelli Gardner. I spent time with Mary Fish and Pam Morris. I hung out with great friends and met new people. Even with all these great things, perhaps the most exciting part of the week for me was making a new friend in Justin Krieger. When I asked Justin to be my Convention roommate, I barely knew him (he and I were Guest Designers on The Paper Players but never got to know each other). Turns out, we had a lot in common and had a great time hanging out at Convention. Justin and I have a similar approach to stamping and are both very grounded and grateful to have a “place” in this craft. He’s a smart guy. He’s a kind guy. He’s a ridiculously funny guy. I enjoyed every minute I could spend with Justin (except for the whole “walking clear across town to find the hotel key he may have left in a restaurant when it turns out it was actually in the room all along). I look forward to a long-lasting friendship with him. This picture was lifted from Justin’s blog at http://www.jkcardsonline.com:
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Tomorrow, I’m sharing my card for this week’s sketch challenge from The Paper Players, along with a summary of the new and fresh promotions Stampin’ Up! is offering right now. You won’t want to miss it.
Brian
Brian,
I enjoyed this post so much – it is so inspiring! Very “different” than all of the other convention posts I have seen with the same content and same photos over and over again. Thank you so much for sharing this – I can only imagine what a wonderful time you had. Looking forward to all of your new and creative ideas!
Pretty cool Brian! Such fun!!
Great recap, Brian! I have been following your blog and admiring your style and was very excited for you when I saw you in the highlights reel! What a great start to your SU career!
What a great post Brian. Congrats on your Rising Star recognition. I can feel your excitement in your words and just look at all that smiling! I bet your face hurt from smiling so much. Thanks a bunch!
From what I have read on several other blogs, you are being very modest. I heard that due to the large crowds at your booth you should be invited to demonstrate on the main stage next year. I also read some non pals blogs where others said how excited they were to meet you. I really hope I can make it next year.
Well, congratulations are in order, my dear Brian, you are indeed a star!! You deserve this honor, we all know how hard you have worked for it. Thank you for posting all of this pictures, they totally reflect the incredibly fun and rewarding time you had, it’s written all over your smiling face!! Welcome back!!
Wow Brian, thank you so much for sharing part if your phenomenal Convention experience with your loyal blog readers!!! You made your time in Salt Lake come alive, just like you make the journey to each of your cards jump off the page with enthusiasm!!! Congratulations on your honors and awards!!! 🙂
I’m going to be late for work! Your blog is so fun and uplifting to read, I started and couldn’t stop. You’re my favorite blogger! TFS your time at Convention with us!
What an incredible experience for you Brian! I’m so proud that a fellow CPA has achieved so much in this creative industry! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you and to enjoy your blog which inspires me each day. Congratulations!
Many, many,many congratulations Brian! You so deserve your award and all the accolades! Sounds like it’s going to take a while for you to come back down to earth after all that excitement! Looking forward to seeing your ‘demo cards’ in detail.
PS I didn’t look at that picture in the top left corner of Pam texting, looking shocked, with her mouth wide open… Honest!
Thank you Loz.
I was happy to be able to share all of your well deserved successes with you! You are an amazing and talented person and I look forward to the start of a wonderful friendship. I could not have asked for a better roommate. I’m grateful to have gotten to know you, you are just AWESOME! Oh, you forgot about the trek to the Amtrak station with Shellie. That definitely runs a close second to my “lost” room key! At least we got our exercise! 🙂
Yes, we PALS heard all about the Amtrak visit, but Brian “doesn’t want to talk about it”. Ha ha You guys were heroes that night.
It was wonderful to get to finally meet you at Convention. I have been following your blog for a while and was so excited to have the opportunity to swap cards with you. You are such an inspiration and I am sure we are going to see many more great things from you. Glad you enjoyed your time at Convention and hope we cross paths again.
Ok I’m in awe Brian.. your FIRST year? WOW!! they way you blog AND craft I would have thought years and years! Kudos to you ! What a wonderful read today, and yes I couldn’t agree more Justin is just “awesomesauce”
I hope to meet the both of you at next years convention!
xo
Congratulations, Brian. I enjoy reading your blog every day. I love my swatch books. Take care.
Wow! What a great post. I felt that I was there with you! So happy for your accomplishments this year. I’ve learned so much from you so keep up with your blog.
What a wonderful experience. Thanks for sharing with us. I feel privileged to be connected with you, even if it’s by blog. I wish I had introduced myself to you when I saw you in Chattanooga at Regional. Congratulations for setting new records at Stampin’ Up!
What an awesome post. I am so proud of you and your accomplishments in just a year! I for one love reading your blog….you are the best writer and so funny! I enjoy Justin’s blog too! And to meet Mary Fish….that is like meeting the Royal Queen! Loved the video too and the song! Ok I did look closely at your board of cards and already spotted one that I need to copy….oops I mean CASE….you had a similar one posted a few weeks ago and I’ve been cranking them out….this one looks like you added two more panels to the 3 longer panels…way cool card. Loved the recap! You’re officially now a ROCK STAR.
I have been waiting for a few days to write a note on your blog congratulating you on your achievements. It looks like right now is the appropriate time. So, CONGRATULATIONS! I saw you several times but did not have the guts to talk directly to you. After all, you are now a stampin’ celebrity. However, you were in the elevator with me when we were leaving at the end. My friend and I got off on P1. You and Max had to exit the elevator so we could exit. Maybe next year I will have guts enough to say hello. Again, CONGRATULATIONS!
Yay! What an incredible week to remember! Congratulations on your many accomplishments! My pleasure to come search you out in the crowd of 5800 Demonstrators! I’m off to locate those paper towels, now that could be a handy picker-upper in my craft room! 🙂
Congratulations on your well deserved award! Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with us! Can’t wait to see the cards in detail.
Congratulations on your RIsing Star achievement this year Brian. Well done to you. It has been great following your blog over the year and seeing your wonderful creativity – and sense of humour!!!! Many of my friends from downunder joined the convention this year. I wished I could have been there.
All the best to another fantastic year ahead. Keep blogging and sharing not only your projects but you! 🙂
Jenny
Soooo incredibly awesome Brian!! Your enthusiasm and love inspires so many. Bless you and love you!
I echo all the comments posted! Your recap made me feel as though I was right there with you! I love the pic of you and Shelli ‘about to be married’…..lol. You are too funny!! Congrats on all of your accomplishments. I can already see this next year is going to be even better for you!!
WOW and WOW again !! Congratulations on everything ! What a great presentation this morning . I just loved all of the pictures and seeing all of the exciting moments You are a star ! You deserve all of the attention because you put so much into your role as a Stampin Up King !
So glad and excited for you …. What great memories .. !! Stampin Up is so lucky to have you !!
I love reading your blog! Congrats on the Rising Star!
Congrats from me also and I “copy” all the things said by others on today’s post. All I can say is “what and experience”. So happy for you.
Brian, congrats to you!! What a well-deserved trip full of recognition and celebration for you!! Thank you for sharing all of these wonderful pictures with us…loved seeing them all. I know you said not to, but I squinted really hard at your display board and look forward to seeing them each closer in the weeks to come. You are so talented and so kind – and very deserving of these great times…enjoy! 🙂
What an AMAZING year you’ve had Brian. Congratulations on your award and your invitation to demonstrate at convention, very exciting!
Didn’t have to work hard to see you in the video!! You had many great spots and you deserved the honor of all of them!! Your accomplishments this year are amazing and I am so glad you got the recognition — it shows that SU is paying attention! I love that SU knows what we know — you are a wonderful part of a great company. I look forward to your blog every day and am glad to be part of a growing fan base. CONGRATULATIONS, Brian!!
I am crying like a baby right now…So Proud of You!!!! But feeling so blessed to be your friend and get to experience and celebrate your recognitions at convention with you! May you continue to reach for the stars and find success! Hugs!
Wow wow wow! I almost felt like I was there! What an experience Brian. I am so happy for you and I am not at all surprised by your success. Thank you for an amazing blog today!
Brian – I am so proud of all you have accomplished – and to think I knew you when you would come hang out in my stampin room and stamp with me. You’ve done well my friend and I am happy for you. As I have moved on to a different phase in my life of raising my little girls, I am always happy to see your posts each day since I accidentally came upon your name on Pinterest. I don’t have NEAR enough time to “play”, but I still enjoy it when I catch a few minutes. Take care Brian and congratulations!
I was so jealous when my boss and her husband meet you at Convention, i told her thats the Brian I’m always talking about. Maybe I will meet you next year! Great job on the Raising Star award. I always tell my crafting friends about your blog, it is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE hands down!
Congrats Brian on your Rising Star achievement……WELL DONE FRIEND! I have some pictures to forward to you (later today). I saw you one time in the hallway (from the opposite side) and with 6,000 demonstrators in front of me……behind me….and to both sides of me…..It was impossible to get myself moved over to where you were standing. Wish I could have met up with you…..but will look forward to the next SU event we are both at. SO HAPPY for all you achieved this first year!
You made me cry all over again. What a beautiful tribute to your success, Stampin’ Up!, the Pals and even Fearless Leader! Much Love . . .
Thank you so much for putting together this wonderful post – you recapped your experience perfectly (except I was hoping to see the watch). Congratulations on all of your achievements- you are so deserving of them all! I love your blog and look forward to reading it everyday. Thank you for sharing your talents with so many!
Great pictures Brian, and congratulations on all your achievements! I hope to meet you next year at convention. And thanks for taking care of my Justin 🙂
OMG Brian,
This is awesome. Just incredible.
I also faithfully follow both you and Justin. You guys are my fav – the highlight of my day is checking your blogs. 🙂
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful experiences with all of us!
Congratulations, Brian, on your accomplishments and recognitions! And congratulations on finding what makes you joyful and giving it your all! And congratulations one more time for sharing it all with folks like me!
Congratulations! Judging from what I see on your blog, you deserve all these honors. Keep up the good work. I enjoy your entries and this “report” was well written and engaging.
Donna
This is so great!! I can just feel how much you loved every minute of being at convention. I’m just a hobby stamper and don’t even get the chance to do that very much (I have two boys at home who keep me very busy) but I really only follow two blogs related to stamping and one is yours and the other is Mary’s!! I am blown away by the fact that you’ve only doing this for a year. That is absolutely incredible!! You should be so proud of yourself…you’re an absolute inspiration in every way. Your positive and contagious outlook on seemingly everything(!), your enthusiasm for stamping, your passion for your business, your commitment to your craft…it’s amazing! Congratulations, it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy!! 🙂
What fond memories I have of Convention! Congrats Brian for getting Rising Star award! So glad I got to meet you! You’re such an inspiration in so many ways!!! Loved the pics you captured! I too am an avid follower of your blog! Looking forward to many many more years of Stampin Up fun! What an awesome company to be a part of….God Bless you Brian!
Hi Brian! So much fun to relive convention again through your recap of the week! Meeting you in person, watching your presentation, and cheering you as you crossed the stage will remain some of the highlights of my convention experience this year. You have always been a star in my book, but now you have the official title to prove it! 🙂 Congrats again on all you have accomplished, and may God bless you with many MANY more years of success in this business and beyond in life! Big Stampin’ Hugs, my friend!
O.K. – so I’m sitting here blubbering and hubby comes in and says “what’s wrong”? Then I tell him “look what Brian has achieved, I am soooooo proud of him!” Then hubby looked at all the photos with me again and said “O.K., that’s worth a few happy tears!”
What a beautiful & heartwarming account of your experience! I am so happy we got to meet while you were standing in line for the bus tour. Congratulations on your accomplishments Brian! I’m looking forward to many more posts to come!
Congratulations Brian!!!! So very proud of you!!!
Wow, besides all of the awards and honors you received at Convention, you know you have “arrived” when you get this many comments on your blog without posting a card!!! Congrats on everything- you make it look so easy to post something new everyday! Keep it coming- we all love it, obviously. Well done, Brian, the King!
Brian, you are hilarious! I am glad to know you. And thanks for the tip on the paper towels! I never noticed them before! 😉
Congratulations, Brian! You so truly deserved everything you have earned! You are the sweetest, kindest, funniest person I know. Although I am not your “Stamping Mom”, I am so, so proud to be your “Stamping Aunt”. Geesh…I am crying as I write this. Here is to your continued success! Love you…