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

[Jannette Bole]

I love the idea of a SU Retreat--but please make it open to all, not just demonstrators. I've attended retreats held @ special "retreat cottages" and at local hotels and have enjoyed them immensely. Meals (simple, but tasty) were provided. Places to stay/sleep were right there. Vendors had make & takes set up, and product demos. This could be done by SU. It needs to be affordable. Home office should make/provide SU Branded guidelines so that all events are organized the same. I love the idea of classes or other activities being available. I hate to haul all of my stuff, so I generally bring only a small project or two. My main reason for the getaway is to GET AWAY with people who enjoy what I enjoy doing, chatting, & making/learning a few things. Give aways, prizes/drawings are great. I also would enjoy SU sharing how to use products different ways, to get more from them. Good Luck!

[Christine Rebbert]

I would like to see retreats held in many locations around the country so many people could participate without a lot of travel expense. I would make it pretty simple -- just a chance to "hang out" together, work on projects, and share. I think what we'd really be "buying" is TIME to create just for fun and informally learn things from other participants. I don't think you need to have scheduled make-n-takes or classes. Just give me part of a big table to spread all my stuff out... If you want to "GO BIG", yeah, have every stamp set and every tool for folks to try out and play with, but I don't really think that's necessary. And displays are always an exciting part of any event, but maybe the participants should build the displays themselves as they create... I would like to see just a Sat./Sunday time-frame (to not interfere with day jobs), with the room open all night; we WILL stamp 'round the clock! Folks should be responsible for their own hotel rooms, but you could provide snacks and box lunch/dinners,and continental breakfast Sun. So, let's say, 9 am Sat. to 6 pm Sun., and I would probably pay $100... If it were in a city-center with restaurants or a hotel near a mall, folks could get their own meals on their own schedule... Sorry for the disorganized answer, but just throwing out thoughts... Actually, even a one-day thing, say, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. would be fun, without a lot of structure...

[Michele Gallo]

I LOVE this idea it would be so wonderful to have something like this 2 times a year Tina Roserkranz has or had a Spring Fling and Fall Fest in NJ. It would be so wonderful I agree with the BYO, As a demonstrator I don't like to have fees padded to include a stamp set or other supplies - great to be able to see projects online or something and then pick which ones you want to do and BYO supplies for them.

[Rachel Marsh]

This would be awesome. I would say a long weekend. something like 2 nights 3 days would be great. Depending on accommodations and "goodies" I would pay anywhere from $200-$400.

I did like the idea of it being like a longer regionals. Where there would be some presentations etc. & then more time for "social crafting".

I've been to these kind of events before with our family, etc. They are so fun to create and share ideas.

[Heather]

Not just for demonstators, right? There are die hard Stampin Up-ers who aren't demos. I'm all in.
Heather in Las Vegas

[Kay Marini]

I would sign up in a minute! It would be a wonderful way to accomplish something individually. I find that I do not do my best stamping at Convention because I am rushed and have so little space to work in. If I could do what I want with people around me with similar interests it would be very enjoyable. As far as price, I would think that there would be different room rates so if someone wanted a single- they would pay more or those on more of a budget could have several roommates. Food could be on our own with the option to dine right in the facility. Kay

[Barbara Bower]

Yes! I love the idea of a weekend retreat given the cost factor is not too high and spread across the country for less traveling cost. So many wonderful ideas to learn and exchange among fellow stampers. Possibly this idea could be worked into a regional meeting?

[Elizabeth Beasterfield]

Like the idea of a weekend retreat type event - I imagine themed projects would be awesome similar to the make & takes of convention, only it's open for all (not just demos). I can't get enough SU! Unrelated, but wanted to get my idea/suggestion out there...will there be a sort of mini start up kit offered in the future? I want to re-join, but don't really want a full start up kit. Thanks for opening the forum to us!

[Laura DeVincentis]

I love the idea of demos hosting a 'retreat' event on a regular basis and if SU! would offer demos a discounted package of items, say a hodge-podge of things - then we could encourage creativity and originality by maybe hosting contests to see who came up with the best ideas with just those items. Keeping costs down is important, but fun and an avenue where you can just 'play' with new goodies to come up with something original is even better.

[Celia Cawthon]

I love the idea of a several day retreat. I would pay the same as I do for Leadership conference, or there about. I've thought of doing a retreat with my downline and they are all for it .... lots of local hotels and B&B's lease their entire facility for retreats as they are very popular here in the Texas Hill Country. Especially now, with all the bluebonnets exploding and the rest of the area about to bloom in the work of Lady Bird Johnson. Make and Takes and a nice big room set up where we can do our own work would be lots of fun, and is how the common quilting retreats I've been on have run.

And here's another idea: a Stampin' Up! cruise retreat. There are those cruises already out there for other brands or multi-brand companies, but it would be great to be able to do nothing but Stampin' Up! projects: cards, 3D's, scrapbook pages, and Digital Studio. Y'all already do a great job of this during Convention and Leadership, so I'm sure I would attend!

[Beth]

I have no suggestions or ideas, but I love the thought of being able to do this! So, YES, please. :)

[Carmela Gibson]

I think that if the cost was cheaper than convention I would try to go as often as I could. I usually go to convention every other year, and it is my time to do something strictly for me. I love how SU! makes me feel pampered. As a mother of several children I don't usually get too much time to do things all by myself so I look forward to my time all year long. I think by having retreats on a smaller scale (maybe in different parts of the country like the regionals) it would allow more people like myself to attend events more frequently. It would be fun to have time to work on projects or make and takes, eat and swap with friends as well as enjoy a weekend away. If there is a way to incorporate chocolate too that would be a bonus :).
Thanks so much for asking,
Carmela

[Rachel B]

I think you would be utterly mobbed!!!! I know many of the UK demos runs such things and we also run them for ourselves to inspire and refresh and have a ball without the pressure of being on the job so to speak.

I think if SU themselves were to do them you would need to think about a whole series of them, stick to what you are great at which is making it a LUXURY experience. BYO is for local get togethers in my mind and it doesn't match well with the SU way - in my view - I don't think you would do yourselves justice if it wasn't seen as a luxury thing. It could also help you handle the sheer volume of interest you would get.

As to projects and so on, I love a good mix of things maybe with a bit of choice int here - so maybe able to select a colour way for a themed scrap book or set of cards or 3 d project. I do also like things to have technique in there rather than just hints and tips - although others just like to use them as crops.

[Stella MacKay]

I would love it! Maybe corporate could create one template, we all get a list of supplies for many projects and to save corporate resources (vis a vis personnel), instead, SU asks some of us to take on the organization and leadership of the event? It'd be cheaper for SU to pay me and a downline or two of mine or other local demos (with a cap of 2 or 3 demos total) to run a weekend event than it would be to ship out your staff. SU could say "2 days/1 night, find a venue that would cost no more than $X, clear it with the corporate liaison, SU takes the reservations and the demo in charge is the person at the event, checking people in, leading the projects, etc...."

I would actually not want it tied to an existing event as I'd want it to reach far and wide, coast-to-coast and so we could have many, many events. SU sells the products and charges a registration fee. You pay the demo in charge out of that and SU pays the fee for the room rental and attendees pay for their own hotel, etc... I think it could work! And it'd be a blast!

Just sayin'....

[Amy Fink]

I LOVE this idea!! I see a place with lots of good lighting both natural and artificial, vintagey looking furnishings comfortable and overstuffed, large work tables with comfy chairs and garbage bins by each work station. A big kitchen for all the yummy snacks that we know goes so well with stamping and bunks for overnights. Who wouldn't LOVE a Stampin Up pajama party?????

[Holly]

This would be great. I enjoy M&T at Convention and I also liked the extra classes we had last year. I think a retreat should include both. A longer amount of time to enjoy projects and receive instruction would be great. I think it would be different from Convention, maybe it could be all creativity (or almost all) and less business. I'm not crazy about the BYO idea. I would like to have some amenities available and would pay a little extra for a meal, either included in the price OR available on-site.

[Patty Bombyk]

I love this idea, but my first thought was "there's no way to do this and please everyone!"

However, today I was thinking about offering a "Stamp Camp" when the new catty is released and thought "it would be cool if I could do an actual Stamp & Camp" at a regular campground.

So this idea blossomed and I thought I'd share it with you after all ;)

What if you could rent an actual "Summer camp" the type of place parents send their kids? Or maybe a "ski resort" but in the off season. You'd have either dorms or cabins that would probably fit 10 to 12 people per cabin, Dorms usually fit around 25 people. Most summer camps have an activity center/mess hall for project making, as well as outdoor activities (or access to shopping, yes please.) Being adults we wouldn't need staff counselors, or maybe we would, who knows ;-) So you might be able to get something at the beginning or end of the season. The down side to most "camps" is that you have to provide your own bedding/towels/etc, so it might be something for "hardier" stampers and may not appeal to those who only enjoy the great outdoors to the "having drinks on the patio" limitations.

For activities I'd say a couple of make and takes per day, with time set aside for working on your own projects (remember stampers take up space with their stuff, my rule of thumb is two seat spaces per individual when I do a crop or girls stamping night.) Also some time for site seeing or shopping depending on the location.

Price range, I guess it would depend on the setting, for this type of setting I'd say around $60.00 to $75.00 with a continetal breakfast & simple lunch - dinner on your own option. Remember where you offer it might have to include airfare for people, so if you start hitting $100.00 a day plus airfare it is a pretty big budget crunch for a lot of people these days. Plus for a $100.00 plus per day, people "assume" there's going to be some luxeries included.

I'd love to explore this idea further, but hopefully this will get you started.

Good Luck,
Patty

[Carol B]

I have attended weekend retreats for scrapbookers. Attendees are often stampers or stamper/scrappers. I live in a large metro area so some have been close enough that I don't have to pay for a hotel (although one is available) and I find them very reasonable in price. It is very relaxing to get out of the ordinary routine and concentrate on crafting. It is also good to spend time with people that I don't see on a daily (or even weekly) basis. The overnight retreats that I have gone to have been at a Christian retreat center. Costing about $200 for 2 nights and 6 meals with an 8 foot table to work on has been very affordable. I do think that size is an issue and would suggest a range of 30 to 70 is good.

[Cheryl Campbell]

I love the idea. For those of us with no apparent upline...a retreat would give us the opportunity to share ideas with other demonstrators, on a smaller scale. I think a weekend retreat would be fantastic and I would be willing to pay for SU home office guidance, rooms, and either BYO supplies or kits from home office. Open stamping time and sharing from those that do it best. It is really tough to get your business off the ground when you have no upline to turn to for guidance and SU won't let those of us in that position, switch. A retreat could help those of us somewhat left out of the process who want to find ways to build our business and become successful.

[P. G.]

This all sounds really great, but it would be really special if it was open to others, not just demos. But, it also would be great to have them in areas most wouldn't think about, like way up north where I live. I used to be a demo and loved it, but it's not feasable now, so I would love something like this in our rural area, or even somewhere half way close. Thanks for asking about this.

[Trish]

This has nothing to do with the question you asked but this has been on my mind for several weeks . . . I just read a biography of someone else who is CEO of a direct sales company. All I could think of was that I would enjoy even more reading about YOU-not only as you have built up your business but I also know that family and faith are a part of what you breathe in addition to Stampin Up. I am a fairly new demo and I LOVE being a part of the SU Family. I am more of a hobbiest and enjoy being part of the family almost regardless of the financial rewards (ALMOST). Just a thought . . .

[Amy Gehman]

Hi Shelli! I love this idea! :) My wish would be to have many of these events so that they were closer to home than the regionals have been so far...I haven't been a demo very long, but the regionals to date for me are too far to travel with little ones at home. I like someone's idea of paying for the event and booking your own accomodations. Also, I love the idea of getting a DVD with the card samples/videos on it...could play it on my own laptop at the event or again at home. Thanks for considering doing this on top of everything else SU! already does :)

[Becky Kittaka]

I just held my 5th annual retreat this past weekend with great success! I live in a somewhat rural area and have been able to attract a wide variety of customers and fellow demonstrators each year. I would be happy to help with my input of how I plan and carry out my retreats. I keep the cost to just over $100, include at least $50 of Stampin' Up! products (+ free SAB set), provide all meals, and stamping projects for Friday afternoon thru Saturday evening. I offer a choice of Scrapbooking (album + 10 2-page spreads) or cards (20+ cards). The hotel I utilize gives me a great price on their conference room because I also reserve a block of rooms. Overnight stay is optional and an additional fee. Becky Kittaka, Piketon, OH bkittaka@hotmail.com

[Sue Whtiney]

I love the idea of a retreat on an annual basis, or semi-annual basis (held in different parts of the country). I currently host a small weekend retreat at my house once a year for a very small group of family and friends. The creativity, laughter, and bonding during that weekend is incredible!!

Here's what has worked for me - a weekend retreat (Friday evening thru Sunday afternoon) works wells. Provide some structure to the retreat but mostly let people just enjoy being together, being creative. Games with prizes help break up the day and goodie bags to take home are a must.

Go for it Shelli and I volunteer to assist in any way.

Sue Whitney

[Karla Endris]

I would love a weekend get away. I have only been to 1 regional but absolutely loved it. I was sad when it was over. Cost would depend on how often and how close the event would be. I would love to have something close enough to drive and not have to have hotel cost. Someone mentioned including a stamp set with the cost and then having the projects all centered around that set. That is a great idea! Having a fun coupld of days with products that sell themselves sounds wonderful and I would defintely be up for that. How often? That depends on how close it is to me and how much it would cost. I"ll be attending my first convention this year and cannot wait!