So What Do You Think. . . ?

A while ago, I posted a Q&A, where I answered some of the questions you post on my blog.

There was one question that one of you asked that I didn’t post because I wanted to save it until we could have a little discussion. This week is kind of slow, which is rather unusual for me! Of course, there’s plenty to do—lots of work, deadlines, meetings, etc.  But it’s all pretty ordinary, so I thought it was a perfect week to post this question and see what your thoughts are.

The question (actually it wasn’t a question so much as a suggestion):

I would love to see a Stampin’ Up! Weekend Retreat, a weekend getaway where stampers could get away for a weekend and just work on projects. Have you ever thought about something like this?

I loved this idea (not saying we’re anywhere CLOSE to actually doing it!), but I wanted to get your feedback. If you were to attend something like this, what would it look like? What kinds of things would you like to see offered? What would be a reasonable price range? How often would you attend? What other ideas and feedback do you have?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. . .

Comments

[Maggie]

I would be more likely to attend if, as others have suggested, the event/events would be on the local level. The time involved to travel a distance would be an issue for me.

While it wouldn't be quite as special as a larger national level gathering, I do think that having local gatherings, with the same theme, on the same day, would possibly provide some feeling of kinship.

Stampin UP! could perhaps provide a framework for the local coordinators to assist in the planning and have a kit of sorts for the projects? Perhaps video instructions provided by Stampin UP! ?

Maybe Shelli could even visit a location or two as a special surprise! :-)

[Laura Fernsler]

Many LSS crops are held in a place combined with lodging or else at a location where lodging is only minutes away. A good crop allows you to actually crop around the clock, not closing doors at midnight until 6:00a.m. Believe me...there are crazy scrapper/stampers out there who will stamp around the clock when they attend these things. The best part is...you can be in jammies or ultra-comfy clothes and just hang out. It's a huge project, but so very doable. If you have experienced crop organizers, then it's really time and effort. I have taught classes with up to 60 scrappers present and although it's a lot of work, organization is the key...as the SU Event staff knows all about.

[Martha Haddock]

Isn't this what a Regional Event is?? I know they are only 1 day, but why not just offer more regional events, and more frequently, so that more people can go. I think this idea is great for a team event hosted by an upline or two...but I don't think this could ever work logistically on a company wide scale. Just do a few more regionals and encourage people to come to convention.

Just saying...
Martha

[Cecilia B]

I love the idea of a retreat- perhaps holding 4 a year, for each direction (NORTH/EAST/SOUTH/WEST)Each region could have a unique retreat for that region? I am in TX and pretty close to Galvelston, maybe doing a CRUISE retreat? I think whatever is decided as long as we are stamping and laid back with no specific schedule to follow would make everyone happy. Also, the cost would depend on the retreat but perhaps having different levels of cost within the retreat would work.
Cecilia

[Bonnie Jones]

Yes, I think this would be awesome!!! I don't have all the answers to your questions but I just wanted to say what a great idea it is!

[Vi Baker]

I responded to a survey once with my wish - a retreat devoted to learning how to use MDS.

[Joy Conley]

I love the idea. I think an annual event would be great in each geo area. (It would be great to have an East Coast and West Coast based event for those of us in the US.)
I would love for it to be at a resort so we can craft and do what we love, hang out some, and just relax. A long weekend would be the perfect get away.
I would love to see projects, samples, swaps... all the normal things. It would be so exciting to share the love of stamping in our PJs.

[Dee Tollaksen]

I would love for a retreat to be a product a customer can purchase from me. I host a shoebox for customers and demonstrators and it is some work to set it up, but they LOVE to spend the day stamping, meeting new people, trying new techniques and enjoying a catered lunch. Super fun!

[Pat]

I love the idea of a retreat! It would be great if we had access to some ideas for projects for a retreat. If others are like me, I don't accomplish much at this type of thing because I get caught up in visiting. If I had at least a couple of ideas with tutorials there for me I would maybe get something done, besides enjoying the company of other demonstratore. I would go maybe twice a year if the price were somewhere around $200 for the entire package. And I think we all have plenty of supplies that we could bring for the projects with maybe the exception of some of the larger items.

[Peggy]

I think it would be great if SU could put together a training class that would teach demos how to offer such a thing in our locality. Maybe you could offer us packets that we could purchase to use at the events. Work with us!!!

[Jane]

I love the idea of having retreat options throughout the states. For those that cannot afford to travel to SLC if there were more options around the states it would allow more to attend. Convention is a 'big' event on it's own and already a very expensive trip so my vote is for smaller venues...hope to see more on this :o)

[Emily]

I was lucky enough to move to a seaside town in 2010 and immediately said I would love to do weekend retreats. Well I have now done 3 and had a ball each time.

Guests stay in the B&B next door and craft at my house all day and often into the wee hours.

We try new techniques, new products as well as old favourites.

All 15 guests so far have loved every thing and several are coming back!

I think the key is to keep it relaxed and a nice pace. People want to chat and relax as well as craft.

[Kathy Swanson]

I love this idea and would attend yearly. I live in the Kansas City metro area and can see this being held at a Convention center and would love to see guests included. My 2 best friends and I attend a Friday 3pm-Sunday 5pm crop every fall at a church camp. We make our Christmas cards and last year stayed up from 3pm til 7pm on Saturday to earn the 24 hour cropper award!!
I can see this event being modeled similar in time frame, Friday-Sunday with swaps, SU projects and demos similar to Regionals, but with the option to stay and crop. Since it would be local, folks could actually stay in their own home or find reasonable lodging close by. Or stay with local demos. I would think $250 dollars would be a top price. We pay $175 at the church and it includes food, but is in a really small town.
I would love to see a MDS room, I never seem to have time to use MDS! Great idea I hope to be attending soon!!

[Debra Daam]

We just had this in Michigan! We call it the Michigan Mania Magical Mingle! This year we had a 50's theme. So much fun! Stamping, eating, challenges and best of all visiting. The Terrific Trio (Patty Bombyk, Lorien Clark, Tracy Maikrzek) planned this event. We already can't wait until next year and we just had it last weekend.

[Gayle]

I actually do attend something like that in Florida, where it's open to SU demonstrators only, unless it doesn't sell out. The cost I think was $95.00, plus your hotel & food.
We "cropped" Friday (afternoon), Saturday, and part of Sunday. some demonstrations and some make & takes.

[Jackie]

I havent' read all of the other suggestions, but wanted to offer some options. I guess I would see this more like regional events, so demos can travel there by car, rather than associated with convention. I also suspect that much of the expense is in sending SU representatives to the event, so my question would be what could be done to avoid the requirement.

- a SU weekend in a box, where a location is rented, and "goodies" are shipped to the location so just a couple of SU employees could "pull it off". Demos could bring a list of supplies (adhesives, cutters, scissors, ink/markers, several sets that were suggested in order to complete the MNT, ribbon or brads, etc) and SU would include DVDs with projects, 1-2 make n takes using the suggested sets. I would think several demos by SU or local demos would be a must, but then that increases the complexity of this event, unless they were done at booths so computer equipment would not be necessary.

- Scrapper weekend. Again, SU rent a space, send several employees and provide some supplies (1-3 different packs of DSP, some coordinating c/s) and ideas on handouts (or DVD demo of projects. Demos can try to put together a number of pages or scrapbook projects using the paper product and contribute their own consumables.

- Could video of projects be sent to participants (who have paid) in advance so that they could be viewed prior or at the event by those who might have capable electronics? That would fire people up prior to getting to the location, so that they would have their juices flowing for creating.

- Could SU send one computer "viewing center" so that participants could look at demonstrations between working on projects?

- Could demos compete (send samples to SU) to provide the booths/demos for this event, as is done with regionals.

- If participants received a handout with DVD in advance, then they could decide what product to bring to make their projects for the day. Then all that would be needed would be some booths/demonstrations to help keep juices flowing. SU might provide a couple of items like DSP or CS or journals, that were related to the DVD participants had received.

[Misty Thomas]

I have held retreats since I signed up to be a demo. I know a guy who owns a 13,000 sq foot cabin, and I rent it from him in central Utah. I provide meals, snacks and an over the top project or two. I charge $100 for one night. The guests arrive around 4pm and we stay until noon on Saturday. I certainly do not make $ on this, it is just fun to have a group get together and craft. It takes a ton of time to prep for and it is a lot of work. I love doing it though. I would love it if we had SU! support on something like this, it would take some of the work out of it! I hope to see more info soon!

[Karen Bernhardt]

I would love it. 6 of us rented a cabin in Nags Head last year and stamped all weekend. We had a great time and each had a special project to share.

[Karen Bernhardt]

Maybe a retreat could be an add-on to Regionals. Most of us have to travel and a day or two more wouldn't be bad.

[Ilse Vargas]

I love the idea! The good thing is that there is less stuff to carry and you can bring it to Canada, so we have more events here too! I'm sure you'll get a very good price, and if the price includes hotel room and meals that would be perfect!
Thank you!

[Sonja Hanks]

This would be so much fun!!!! It would be great to do something like this near your homebase (easier on you and staff). Another idea would be to have something like regional weekend retreats. This might be good for keeping it down to a managable number of people - I don't know, everyone may want to come. I would love to do something like this if I had other demostrators to work with and help me that were close (one disadvantage of living in a small rural area).

[Andrea Cavitt]

My upline demonstrator, Cheryl Holtman, has offered her customers a weekend retreat for three years now. This May will be the 4th annual and my first as a demonstrator! She books the large party barn at a rustic bed and breakfast and sets up tables for everyone. We begin to gather on Friday afternoon as we get off of work and bring our own projects and supplies. We receive our bag of pre-ordered SU! goodies along with little thank you gifts from Cheryl when we arrive. Everyone spreads out their projects and gets started! We only stop for food breaks, which are delicious! We stay up as late as we want, go to bed, and get up when we are ready to start again. These are so much fun as well as helpful to all of us who need to spend some concentrated time finishing up projects that get pushed aside on regular days. This year will be the first time to add the option of coming on Thursday evening to spend an extra night. I can't wait!
I think everyone should get to go to an annual stamping retreat!

[nancy]

LOvethis idea. It is a dream of mine to operate a retreat facility that gives retreatants access to an art studio, craft room, art room overlooking nature of all kinds, water, forest etc..

[Angela Carter]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this idea!! Going across country every year is pricey, so if there were weekend retreats, say within 6 driving hours, I would go, even if it was 4x a year!! I think it would be great to have 1 or 2 night options, for those more budget minded and meals included. Raffles and items available to purchase would be wonderful. Just play- no work. Ahhh... I can't wait to hear what you come up with! I am excited already :) Have a lovely day!

[Sherri Wildeman]

I think this is a fabulous idea. I would love to be able to attend more SU events. They always get me re-energized to get my butt in gear with my business! I agree the regional’s are simply fantastic and I am sad when they are over, so something designed like a regional, with demonstrations and LOTS of stamping time would be great. I think they would also need to be completely different from a regional though otherwise they run the risk of just becoming another regional. So, it would need to be set apart from the regional’s somehow. The cost would have to be more than a regional as it would be a weekend getaway, but it would still have to be fairly reasonable to not discourage anyone from coming. Maybe there could be an option for a discounted price if you BYO items required to stamp that weekend. I for one would sign up for something like this and would love to see more events close to my home (Winnipeg MB Canada).
• Offer more crafting projects – if we are using a regional as a template, extend the stamping time and keep the amount of demonstrations the same but spread out over the weekend
• I like the idea of using sneak peak products – gets us excited about what is to come
• Offering different techniques for us to try – and bring in some older techniques to remind us of what we might have forgotten!
• Workshop Wow presentations – they are a must. They remind me that sometimes less is more
• Price range from $90-$150 would be reasonable depending on where and how many days.
• Sample boards – What would a SU event be without sample boards!
• Theme night – make one “event” in the weekend an evening of stamping with a theme- Mother’s Day, Summer parties, Halloween projects, Easter projects, Valentine’s day, Thank you cards, Birthday cards etc and create projects geared to that specific theme.
• It would be tough to pick the number of times a year, as location would be everything. If it were in my hometown every time, I would think twice a year would be awesome. But since that is not practical, I would be extremely happy if I was able to attend 1 a year. A suggestion might be offer one in each province (in Canada) in a year and this would allow everyone the chance to attend at least one weekend getaway.
• You could also create a package similar to the front row regional- to allow demonstrators the opportunity to host their own getaway and have a SU package to help them get started.
I hope this helps! Thanks for asking for our input! I still love this company and look forward to many more years as a demonstrator and attending events.