CHA brain purge post

Okay.  The fact is....I still don't have time to organize my thoughts.  I've been home for 3 days, we have another wedding next weekend, out of town company is beginning, I have August 1st deadlines.

Life is nuts.

So - once I have a few kid-free minutes on this Saturday afternoon, I'll just go for the off-the-cuff CHA report.

Where to begin?

• I drove down Thursday from Upper Michigan.  An 8 hour - blissfully quiet, alone time.  I crave that sometimes.  I love to drive, I love to travel.  I have to remind myself to stop and stretch my legs.  I had lucked out at a garage sale the week before and had an Iris Johannson book on CD to take me thru 5+ hours of the trip.
  Pure bliss.
• Got off the Convention Center exit - and was instantly delighted to see that with one sweeping glance, all the places marked on my map were within walking distance.  While I love a road trip, I'm not real fond of driving in the city.  I could park here, and never have to move my car.  Perfect!
• Found the Hyatt parking lot, and got my parking ticket.  hmph.  Don't you think when you pay X amount of dollars for a room that parking should be - complimentary??  This was the first foreshadowing that this weekend would NOT be cheap.  Small town girl experiences culture shock.
• Called TT at the convention center to let them know I was there and ready to work.  I've been with Technique Tuesday for over a year now, but had not met anybody from the office yet.  This was one of my main reasons for wanting to get to CHA - it was awesome to meet those voices that I pester from miles away.  I enjoyed their humor, enjoyed watching them in action, enjoyed seeing where each ones strengths lie.  This alone would have made CHA worth it for me - but I got to experience so much more.
• Worked for 2 hours when the trip started to catch up with me - went to the room and put up my feet.  I cancelled my evening to Chicago with the girls - darn my logical/practical side...but I just couldn't do it.   Went out to dinner with Kelley and Kevin from the Scrapbook Zone along with some other store owners from Michigan, and then called it a night. 

The rest of CHA
I have so so many thoughts - I don't know how to best type them so that they are coherent.  I'll start by saying that for me - it was all about the people.  I loved putting names to faces, I loved meeting everybody and seeing how their real life person matches (or doesn't) their online person.  It completely fascinated me. 

I didn't take many pictures - and, well..I actually didn't step into all that many booths.  Truth be told, I'd be hardpressed to come up with 10 new products.  I found myself more drawn to the overall presentation.  The booth set-ups, how they displayed their layouts, how the service crew dressed...that type of thing.  I wouldn't have foreseen that it would be these things I'd be attracted to...but I loved it. 

So....let me rattle of a few things with all that in mind

• Imaginisce gets my two thumbs up for best grand entrance.  A new company that did it with flair.  They had an awesome booth, eye catching product, extremely generous give-aways by way of a new scrap tote - and just an overall friendly booth.  I predict much success for them.
• The American Crafts booth impressed me with it's class.  The booth was well thought out, practical, and planned so that your eye went straight to the product. The salespeople were all professionally dressed...suits for the guys, that type of thing...and the whole booth radiated efficiency.  These are the kinds of things I noticed.
• Fun booth?  Doodlebug.  Hands down.  It appealed to my whimsical side - wanted to come home and change my kitchen right up.  But alas, Chicago was expensive and my bank account is empty. Ah well...another day
• Booth that employed the friendliest and best salesman in the place?  Mustard Moon.  Vicky's husband Bill is *it*  I loved meeting him - he makes you wish you could order, even as a designer.  lol
• Best impression from a fairly new company?  A2Z.  They haven't been around long, but their booth is top notch.  It's efficient, eye catching, professional. 
• Loudest booths?  Chatterbox - I ended up feeling sorry for all the booths around them...they raise the roof, those ones.  Quickutz - I happened to be leaving the show as they were having one of their pep rallys, and I had to wait...I could not get thru.   I was telling a friend, you know...I could work the crowd like that, but I have absolutely no interest at all in being part of that crowd.  haha.  It was a bit fun to watch tho.
• The booth that most tickled my fancy?  Thermoweb.  Why?  Because they are an adhesive company and their displays are behind glass.  It tickled me because I imagined that this must be so that people don't go around pulling and tugging the displays to see how strong their adhesive really is.  Seriously...I got a kick out of it.
• And I'll go out on a limb here....the booth whose outfits I most wanted to change?  hmmmm....maybe I'll see if anyone can guess it......

let's move into people and events....

• The first night I found a floor in Wendy and Kelly's room - I had ended up coming to town a day earlier than I planned on.  I brought my aerobed, but somehow ended up in Kelly's bed instead.  hehe.... she slept on the aerobed.  I had argued the taking of someone's bed before the trip, but the 8 hour drive had now taken it's toll...and I didn't say no when there.   I met Kelly at 7 in the morning, both of use bed-headed and in our pj's. 
• One of the first people I met at the show was Heidi Stepanova.  I really enjoyed walking around and chatting with her - wish we had had more time. 
• Most adorable flat?  It was tough...so many of the '05 HM's came as flats...and I never did see E with the 2 heads, or I think it would have been a tie...but I have to go with the flat Kelli Crowe. If you find a picture of the Designer reception...you'll see her in the back row of the group shot.  I reckon it's the first time she's ever been in the back row in her life (you have me to thank for that, Kelli!)  hehe...
• The Papercraft editors.  I was invited to the PC reception at their booth on Saturday, and was greeted with the butts of all the overflow from the Chatterbox hurrah.   Anyway...while waiting, I bumped into Vanessa and Karen - superstars both, much pubb'ed by PC, and I totally hung onto their shirttails - I'm so glad I bumped into them, otherwise I'm sure I would have gotten shy and then left.  I am shy.  and unobtrusive.  I hate worrying that I might be bothering people.  Anyway...in clinging to them I got to meet and talk with Cath, Stacy and Jennafer.  That was the type of thing I enjoyed...putting real faces and personalities to names. 
• I kidnapped Ali Edwards.  Totally.  I had a message for her when I got to the CK reception...and we totally bailed.   I think some of the gals were genuinely worried about what I said to have her whisk me out so quickly.  Wonder on.  hahahahahahaah!  Ali's a hoot.  I'm so glad she's talking about coming back to our lss next year. 
• And I also have to say, that I'm still surprised when people know me.  It's the oddest thing for me.  I consider myself pretty low key and under the radar.  And while I know that the publication board pretty much knows me for my prattling fingers...it's when someone who I don't realized is there lurking, knows me, that I'm totally floored.  Case in point....while at the CK reception I had been telling a friend that I wish I had the nerve to go up and say hi to Erin Lincoln and talk with her because I've totally admired some of her opinions and thoughts.  But, like I told my friend, 'she doesn't know me from BEANS!'   Well....probably 1/2 hour later I happened to be in her circle and she looked over and totally says, "TORM!"  I think my jaw hit the floor, and I told her exactly what I had just minutes ago told my friend.  Crazy, huh?  So then I got to tell her in person how much I enjoy her opinions.  THOSE are the kinds of things that totally made my weekend. 
• StephPea was the best roommate.  I've met her several times in real life (for my family wondering how I dared room with an internet acquaintance) and it was fun to come back to the room at night and have someone to bounce the thoughts of the day on.  I enjoy her to bits. 
• People.  I loved meeting so many of the '05 HM's.  The '06 HM's.  The pub board frequenters.  The lurkers.  The people of power, the retailers, my email friends (you know who you are) and so many more.  I'm so glad I had the chance to go - it'll be at least 2 years before I go again.  But with what I learned this time...I can go back so much more prepared,  I'll have a better idea of what I want to do, what to expect.  It was an awesome experience.  I had the best of all worlds - working for several hours/day, keeping my schedule light, no pressure...just rolling with where it took me. 

And I've left out so much...but the kids are home now.  If anyone has a specific question on my take on something, please ask, I'd love to answer if I can.  With so many thoughts and directions, it's hard for me to feel coherent in my writing....

Time to get ready for this evenings wedding (this week..next week....how many weddings do YOU go to a year?  me?  whew....I think this is the 4th this year)

'til then
be good

Comments

[Sherry]

Loved reading your insights to CHA!
enjoyed meeting you.. even if it was oh so brief!

[Steph]

Great thoughts, Sharyn! You were an awesome roomie!!!!

[suetreiber]

great post Sraryn! Love to hear your perspective of the show.Wish I had seen flat Kelli. :)

[Joanna]

Erin rocks, and you rock, too!! Hope you've recovered from the fun!

[Ashley]

oh, sounds like a wonderful time!! :)

[pc smart]

i am soooo bummed i missed you!!! i one show in 4 years that i am a no show and you show up.....

[Lisa]

Hey Torm! We just got back from the east coast... I totally will not plan vacation smack in the middle of CHA ever again. Must go to one! Glad you had fun. Email me when Ali will be at the LSS.. I have to go for that one!

[The Scrapbook Zone]

Great recap of the event Torm. Love hearing about your take on how the show was from a designer perspective. Glad you got to experience it first hand. I would love to hear your take on those booths that didn't do it for you??? See you soon.

[Sprayers in Uttar Pardesh]

I like this post!