Today’s post is long overdue. So overdue that I debated even posting it but I still wanted to share my experience at OnStage last November. Last November was Stampin Up’s big 30th Anniversary Celebration. When SU first announced the anniversary celebration would be in Orlando, I knew it would be the perfect excuse to add on a family vacation to one of our favorite spots, Walt Disney World, during one of our favorite times of the year there, the Food & Wine Festival.
Lyndi decided that she would do a family trip as well so both our families flew in a week before OnStage and enjoyed all of the Disney parks and both Universal parks as well. Poli flew in a couple days early so she could join us at Universal. We had a fun time enjoying all that Disney has to offer and the Harry Potter stuff at Universal.
Here’s a couple pictures of us pre-OnStage. Maddie and I at the Magic Kingdom. Me, Poli, and Lyndi in Diagon Alley at Universal Studios. Lyndi and I at the Magic Kingdom in our matching sweatshirts (it was so cold that day). The six of us waiting for the Hogwarts Express to take us to Hogsmead and Hogwarts at Islands of Adventure.
Then the family trip came to an end and Rob and Maddie went home and Lyndi’s husband too. That same day was the very first day of OnStage, which was also the CentreStage celebration. CentreStage is the reward party for those Demonstrators that are at Silver Elite and up. This year’s party was a day at Epcot with a dessert party at the end of the evening. In addition, Stampin Up had arranged discount theme park tickets for those that didn’t earn CentreStage but still wanted to go to a Park. We were all able to enjoy the day at Epcot together. At the end of the day, I headed to the CentreStage dessert party, and the rest of my team headed back to the hotel. 
I didn’t stay long at the dessert party. By this time, I had now spent seven very full and very long days at theme parks. I was exhausted. Even though I was tired, it was so much fun to spend time with friends from around the Country enjoying the day at Epcot.
Then Thursday morning, bright and early, OnStage kicked off with singing, stamping, and prizes. All four of us won a Prize Patrol. I’m pretty sure everyone wins a prize now, but it’s still exciting when it happens. This time we all won different stamp sets. 
This Tool Tote was just one of several gifts they gave to all attendees. I love this Tool Tote so much. It has come in so handy for crafting on the go. Stampin Up definitely made sure we were loaded down with goodies. 
In the past, we’ve always had a variety of classes to attend at OnStage. This time was a little different. It’s really hard to move 7000 people around from room to room all at the same time. So instead all 7000 of us spent the mornings in a large auditorium. Then at lunch we all split up into different rooms and had the afternoons in a nice, well-lit area to do our make & takes, take pictures of samples and products, and spend time with friends.
I love that they had this great photo op set up for people to take pictures. All the tables had much smaller versions of the “30” as the centerpiece. Stampin Up lets us take the decor home at the end of the event if it’s something like this that they won’t reuse. Annette was swift enough to snag one of the “30” table centerpieces for me at the end of lunch on the last day since they weren’t in the lunch room that I was in. Thank you, Annette!
And, here’s the photo you’ve been waiting for… the LOOT! Stampin Up is so generous in the amount of products they give us. This time we received a nice mix of logo gear and new products from the Occasions Catalog.
People ask if it’s financially worth it to attend OnStage. And depending on the location, the trip could cost some money between airfare and hotel. But, I always come home with a pile of goodies. And, even better than all the products is time spent with friends. We have the best time on these trips.
The next OnStage is in April but registration starts next week. We are already making plans to be there. For the first time ever, our group will be splitting up. It looks like a couple of us will go to Salt Lake City for a quick weekend trip and some to Atlantic City for a longer vacation.
If this looks like something you might enjoy, send me a message and I’ll fill you in on all the details.
If you want perks like being able to get your products early, then you need to sign up to be a Demonstrator. But, don’t sign up today! You need to wait until January 3rd so you can take advantage of the Sale-abration rewards that are available. There are two options for signing up: Option 1 spend $99 and select $175 in products to come in your kit; Option 2 is spend $129 and select $175 in products for your kit and get that amazing new Craft & Carry Tote Bag! I was able to get one of these tote bags last month and it is so great. I love that it fits my paper trimmer and has a ton of pockets for so many things.
Oh my goodness! Guess what’s now available. It’s a tote bag for your Stamparatus. And it is beautiful. There is plenty of pockets inside to hold your Stamparatus, some extra plates, and your grid paper. You are going to love this tote bag. This bag will be available now and it’s $29 (item #149695). If you’ve been waiting to purchase the Stamparatus until the tote was available, you can buy both as a bundle for $78 (item #151961).
Leave a Reply