What Should First-Timers Expect at Their First Conference?

[amy07]

I am so daggone excited about going this year it is not even funny! I wish I would've waited to do my Director Walk at NC instead of Leadership. I think it would've been more exciting. I so want to experience the "Big Picture" that I hear so many talk about. If this is your first time, what are you looking forward to getting from Conference?

 

[PCJenni]

getting away from my husband and 2 year old... he he he!

I am excited to meet all the wonderful motivating women that are a part of PC

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Learning stuff that will make my business grow!

It has suddenly become my lifeline ... and spending so much on this trip is a HUGE step of faith!

 

[redsoxgirl]

I'll be there with nervous bells on

 

[pampcheflisa]

This will be my first time too!! I am so excited that I can't wait. It will also be the first time I've been away from my two sons (2 and 4) for longer than a day.

I am looking to get lots of information about how to grow my business, gain knowledge, skills, meet other consultants. Just the whole "experience" in general!!!

 

[amy07]

ok, I have to admit that I am very nervous about getting lost in the shuffle of NC. I'm traveling totally alone. No Director or cluster mates (yet) so I'm afraid that I will not know the "flow".

 

[krzymomof4]

My first time too
I'm sure the vets won't let us stumble around too much

 

[dannyzmom]

Make sure to wear a Chef Success button so we can find you!

 

[lacychef]

ok, I have to admit that I am very nervous about getting lost in the shuffle of NC. I'm traveling totally alone. No Director or cluster mates (yet) so I'm afraid that I will not know the "flow".

Dont' worry Amy; you'll get the swing of things quickly! All you first-timers will have a blast!

 

[pcheftammy]

ok, I have to admit that I am very nervous about getting lost in the shuffle of NC. I'm traveling totally alone. No Director or cluster mates (yet) so I'm afraid that I will not know the "flow".

I am also going on my own! I just lost my second director and no one is going from my hospitality cluster. Where are you staying?

 

[amy07]

I am also going on my own! I just lost my second director and no one is going from my hospitality cluster. Where are you staying?

At the Hilton. Do you have roommates?

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

I'm not in a conference hotel ... but I'm very close to the Sheraton and all the rest of my cluster is there.

 

[crystalscookingnow]

Ladies - I'm making a spreadsheet with cell #'s, e-mail addys & hotel info so that we can all get in touch with one another. We're also going to have a MNG at some point so that we can meet each other in person. PM me your info:

name (real life)
hotel
day arriving
cell #
email (where you want the final list sent)

I'll get you added to the list & then I'll send it to everyone closer to conference.

 

[pcheftammy]

At the Hilton. Do you have roommates?

All of a sudden I have 2. No one I know. I am open to one more though. It is a 2 bedroom 2 bath, so it's quite do-able!

 

[crystalscookingnow]

I may be in the market. I probably won't know until closer to the date though.

 

[pcheftammy]

Make sure to wear a Chef Success button so we can find you!

Where do you get the badge?

 

[Chef Bobby]

ok, I have to admit that I am very nervous about getting lost in the shuffle of NC. I'm traveling totally alone. No Director or cluster mates (yet) so I'm afraid that I will not know the "flow".

Last year was my first time. Take advantage of the free time between classes like lunch breaks to sit with consultants that you don't know to pick each others brains. I got some great advice on wedding registries while riding the bus back to the hotel. Your going to love the "Suprise Boxes". You buy one or more and open it on a long table and trade with everyone else.

 

[amy07]

Last year was my first time. Take advantage of the free time between classes like lunch breaks to sit with consultants that you don't know to pick each others brains. I got some great advice on wedding registries while riding the bus back to the hotel. Your going to love the "Suprise Boxes". You buy one or more and open it on a long table and trade with everyone else.

Dumb question. These surprise boxes that you guys talk about, are they gifts from HO? I thought I read somewhere that we buy them?

 

[janetupnorth]

Dumb question. These surprise boxes that you guys talk about, are they gifts from HO? I thought I read somewhere that we buy them?

Yes, you buy them. They are boxes of discontinued products with various price ranges.

I think there was a $25 and $50 box last year...

There was memorabilia (logo bags, mugs, etc...)

Regular products (cutting boards, parchment paper, stoneware, etc.)

...and a third category...

You can then take them to the FedEx booth and they will seal them up and ship them home for you (S/H fees apply). A lot of people would buy Merrill stuff and throw them in their boxes before shipping.

Oh, and there are tables to open them up on and you can barter. A lot of people traded stoneware for something less due to the weight. I got some stoneware pieces last year since I drove!

 

[amy07]

thanks Janet! Good to know for budgeting!!

 

[jrny2001]

I'm a first timer too! I'm very excited to be going. I really need a boost to rev up some motivation!
Hope to meet some of you there as well? Anyone taking the 1st home office tour on day 1?

 

[Chef Bobby]

I sent home one of my suitcases at the Fed Ex booth last year so I wouldn't have to take it back through the airport.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

I would rather leave some room in my suitcase (or carry on!) and put the stoneware in there!

Most people from here are going on Day 1 ... I am going on Day 3 because most of my cluster will be staying on until Sunday morning.

 

[peachey]

I can't wait. This is my first year with PC, and I will be at Wave 1! I am going solo too, no other cluster mates coming. But, I am psyched!! Road trips are wonderful. 483 miles with girlfriends who are not PC consultants.