Monday, July 7, 2014

Convention 2014 recap…


DSC_1625
Disneyland, California…what a wonderful place to hold our annual Close To My Heart (CTMH) Convention!!!


Come join me as I share a brief recap (with lots of pictures) of what a CTMH Convention is all about…. J


Convention 2014_arrival_disney characters

Disneyland, Disney World…Disney - just amazes me!!  You are treated so special by the staff (cast members) around the resort!! They make your stay extra special!

We had an amazing greeting as we entered the resort on Tuesday afternoon!  We were greeted by Chip or Dale, Alice (in wonderland), Cinderella, Baloo & Goofy!!  What fun!!!





AND…EVERYTHING around the resort spoke….Mickey Mouse!!  If you looked closely at most places (carpets, wall color, tiles, etc) you would find a Mickey head & ears somewhere!!  What FUN!!
Convention 2014_mickeymouse everywhere


20140707_124225Convention is a Thurs-Sat night, but Leadership Day starts on Wed & was free to attend this year!!




I was asked to be a speaker on “Marketing my Niche, working in a small community” and was honored to be asked to share. While I didn’t have a voice, or very little of it…it did go quite well!!

When we register for Convention, we always receive a name badge and this was my name badge for this year….




Spa Girls_2014 Convention_DSC_1543I ALWAYS look forward to getting together with my “Spa Girls” at CTMH events. 


This time there were only 5 out of the 9 in attendance at Convention.  While we missed the other girls, we did enjoy our lunch together on Wed to catch up with what is happening in our lives!  I’m so thankful for these friends!!



DSC_1638Thursday’s General Session started at 9am! As Directors, we didn’t have to scramble to find a seat…but had seats reserved for us directly in front of the stage!   When I arrived at my Director Chair I found a special blanket, all packaged up for me!!  CTMH gives such special treatment to their leaders, and I feel very blessed to be apart of that this Convention!!




Convention_stage_1st day_DSC_1643Our day began with Disney performers sharing a little bit about how you fly CTMH style…

DSC_1758and then our VP’s - Brian, Kristine & Monica- along with some Disney actors, helped share NEW PRODUCTS with us!!  They were on the CTMH “Amazing Race” & tried to locate & find New products along the way!!





And the BIG, EXCITING event we look forward to each Thursday at Convention - the NEW Annual Inspirations REVEAL!!!
Elizabeth & I with our NEW books!!  Wahoo!!!
20140626_104345

Thursday evening was as special treat for us as Directors!! 
 CTMH has a special dinner & evening planned for us each Convention!!!
mickey and me_cu DSC_1926


We started out with meeting Mickey Mouse & having our photo taken with him…and then onto the Rose Garden to have a FABULOUS dinner!!

DSC_1933





Here’s a picture of some of the desserts we could choose from - SCRUMPTIOUS!!




This is the group of ladies that I enjoyed my dinner with…
Directors Dinner_table of ladies DSC_1940

Then CTMH gave us special entrance into one of the Disney parks - we chose California Adventure to see the World of Color laser, light, water show!! 

But FIRST…we had 1 1/2 hrs in the park before the show started…so as per Monicas recommendation - I headed over to the Radiator Springs, Cars ride.


convention 2014_radiator springs cars ride


Oh WHAT FUN!!!  I wish we would have had time to ride this ride more than once! 
We waited 45 min in line…for the SINGLE RIDER line.  The regular line was a 190 minute wait!!! Yikes!!!  Thanks to Monica for her recommendation!! 


As you can see in the picture below…I was definitely enjoying myself, even as a single rider!! My fellow consultant, Roz, is sitting directly in front of me as a single rider too! J
20140626_212415


DSC_1958We then headed over to find our Disney Cast Members, with the lit up torch. 



This was a special seating section where we would watch the World of Color display…beautiful & amazing how they pull off this production!! 
20140626_215039_LLS


Friday was another grand day of Convention….lots of presentations - business & artwork & we learned so much!

Friday evening is our annual Awards Dinner! 

We all enjoy getting dressed up, and enjoy a fabulous meal with 10 of my friends!!Convention_awards dinner_table of 10_DSC_2183
DSC_2270

Awards & recognitions were given to many consultants & we celebrate with them on their great accomplishments!!



We finished our evening (actually each night) with a display of fireworks!  They took place in Disneyland at 9:30 every evening.



Saturday - The last day of Convention - sniffle, sniffle….
20140628_061106

We started the morning at 6am with the 1st Rise & Shine 5k run/jog/walk event! 


I walked with my dear friends and  we were excited to also have this be a Fundraiser event!!  

Our registration fee for this 5k event helped support 20+ SMILES for children with cleft palette’s at Operation Smile!
Convention 2014_riseand shine 5k_20140628_070416
After our 5k event, we got started with our last convention day. 
There was Extravaganza ( I won’t share these photos because of all the new products shown) & business classes…wonderful helpful information for us to soon share with you!!!

Then in the afternoon we had our final General Session.  DSC_2754

I always enjoy the Q&A time that takes place with Monica & our founder, Jeanette Lynton.  Jeanette always talks to us from her heart & shares so much!  We are so thankful for her & her dream to start this company & the care that she gives to each one of us!!
DSC_2745

I was part of a large group that went on stage for recognition of our Costa Rica trip that we earned with CTMH last year.
DSC_2762
There were many other recognitions as well…we’ll see what the next 3 months hold for me as a CTMH Consultant & if I am able to earn the upcoming Disney Hawaii incentive trip!  I know that it’s Jesus & His blessings that allow me to earn these trips!  He is the one who has given me my creative talents & so whatever the outcome, I am thankful for the opportunities that he has given me through CTMH!!  

DSC_2749There wasn’t a dry eye at this session - but it was a great way to end our time together. 

DSC_2790



The rest of the evening…was play time! J 

We had a magnificent dinner,
(butternut squash soup was our 1st course - amazing!)...

 DSC_2784
created away (I chose to talk instead of create - imagine that J)....

DSC_2812
& then walked through Downtown Disney to purchase the last of our souvenirs before heading home!!




Oh- and we CAN’T forget…I got a Sticky Boy!! If you don’t know about Sticky Boy….oh my you are missing out!!! 


20140628_105646Sticky Boy is our mascot - and ONLY makes an appearance at Convention each year!!! 


The staff of CTMH hide Sticky Boy stamps around our meeting halls & they have to be found!  My dear teammate - Nickie - found a Sticky Boy, hid it on my laptop in my room &  I found it there!!!  Thanks Nickie for adding a special touch to my Convention experience!!

(Click HERE to view the original Sticky Boy video…this video was made 10 years ago when CTMH first introduced clear stamps.  This video shows you had DURABLE our Clear stamps REALLY are!!)


DSC_14004 am came rather quickly on Sunday morning as we headed out to catch our shuttle to the airport!!


I was so excited to get home & see my family again!!  I’m so thankful that I can take part in this event each year, but it’s definitely a long time to be away!! I missed them greatly!!



I hope you enjoyed this brief (very brief) re-cap of what a CTMH Convention is all about!! 

Would you like to join me next year???  

Contact me & I’d love to share how YOU can join me in at Disneyland, CA CTMH Convention next year!!  Stay tuned for pictures of all the GOODIES we received from our time at Convention!!!  Wahoo!!


Blessings to EACH of you!!
Krista Hershberger J


Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
PHONE/TEXT: 610-587-9116
PINTEREST: http://www.pinterest.com/kristascrafty/



Annual Fall/Winter Open House!!
acorn and leavesSAVE THE DATE!!!


Thurs, August 7th from 6-9:30pm
Fri, August 8th from 12-5pm




***You can “attend” my Open House & take advantage of my personal specials even if you can’t be here in person!!***

Stay tuned to my blog for more details to come!! J

1 comment :

Thanks for taking time to make a comment!
Blessings to you for a BEAUTIFUL day! :)