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Origami Owl Convention Chicago 2015 Recap

July 29, 2015 by Jennylou

The-19 year old Bella lit up the stage of the highly anticipated 2015 Origami Owl Convention with her personality, her musical talents, and even her beautiful sense of style and fashion. This weekend was spent with 5,000 Ind. Designers who came for training and development, team building and leadership, and a whole lot of fun.

Many remember her as the 14 year old that brought a dream to fruition with the sales of lockets and charms which is now replicated by 65,000 Ind. Designers nationwide. Being my 3rd Origami Owl Convention, I have already made many great memories but this year is my favorite yet. I took plenty of pictures and lots more video on the happenings of my days from Wednesday morning July 22 to – Saturday night July 25. The videos have been posted up on my Origami Owl Facebook Page, as well as my YouTube Channel {LocketsNcharms}.

Everything was so memorable. Days were filled with convention events and the nights were filled with sight-seeing with new-found friends. Many firsts occurred in Chicago: riding a train, eating Chicago deep dish pizzas, and using a selfie-stick. I loved the sights and the old buildings with its unique architecture and art that lined the streets of downtown. Contagious energy filled the streets and intertwined with diverse culture and eateries and shopping galore, but what tops my list of happy were all the people that I got to meet and got to hang with. Everyone treated me as if we have been long-lost friends eager to unite once again.

Above is a video recap of the ‘Find Your Happy’ o2experience15 Convention 2015 sent out by Origami Owl for all to see what went on, what many have missed, and what they can expect if they should come to next year’s Origami Owl Convention.

Want to see more vids, remember to check out my videos posted on my Origami Owl Facebook Page, as well as my YouTube Channel {LocketsNcharms}.

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I close here with a few pictures from the closing event – the Roaring 2os party! I had a blast dancing and eating more sugar than I should. I am so blessed to be in this Origami Owl journey with these women who have brought life and love and lots of happy to my Origami Owl life. I would love to see you there at next year’s convention. Will you be there dancing the night away with me?

Take it from Gigi:

Origami Owl Convention 2014 Ted Rubin Presentation #O2GROW

July 30, 2014 by Jennylou

This is Ted Rubin’s presentation. He gave an awesome talk on building relationships at the Origami Owl Convention #O2Grow. My favorite quote from the presentation is on slide 6: A “Brand” is what a business does, and a “Reputation” is what people remember and share.

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ROR, #RonR… Build Greater Intimacy. Origami Owl 7.26.14 from Ted Rubin

10 Tips for Making the o2 Convention Experience a Breeze in 2014

July 14, 2014 by Jennylou

Tip #1 Pack accordingly. Keep in mind the climate and the things you will be doing over there. Make walking from convention to hotel or your car as easy as possible. Flat shoes and light clothing. I did the heels thing last year and though so cute, it was tough. Despite the heat, add a sweater, scarf, or shawl to that suitcase of yours. The inside of the Convention room is cold to freezing! Beyond these tips, pack and wear what you would feel good in. Don’t worry about what others are wearing. If you feel great in jeans while others dress up or vice versa, you’re all set. The Gala ranges from gowns to back dress to causal dress pants. I will be packing a variety as I dress the same as I eat – whatever I feel like at the moment.

Tip # 2 Plan your entry and exit to the city.

I am flying in Thursday and leaving Sunday. Just like last year, I plan on taking the cab to and from the hotel. A taxi from the airport to the hotel is $20 and fit 4-5 people. If anyone else is coming/leaving in at or around the same time, we can split the cost of ride. Other Ind. Designers are talking about taking the rail, public transportation, Über and Lyft. Some are thinking about renting a car from the airport. Whatever you do, just get there

Tip #3 Have access to your cellphone at all times.

That also means, have a battery charger with you. The only thing worse than not having your cellphone is having it but not having battery. There will be charging stations (tables and sections of the convention o2 has set up to plug in our devices and charge them. The downfall to that is you are sitting there while it charges. Get on Amazon.com and get a portable charger. Charge your phone while in your purse as you walk from point A to point B or sitting in General Session. In case you need to reach me, here is my contact info. Text is best as lots of times it will be too loud to talk.

Tip # 4 Get a Room.

If you have not already, get one. There’s nothing worse than going to your destination and all the rooms are packed and you are there with your bags. Those who have already told me that they needed a room, I have reserved them. I have my own room this year as I am a late sleeper and my 3 roommates all went to bed well before I wanted and could go to bed. For those who want to keep me company, I will be offering mini workshops to those interested. I am also staying at the Sheraton.

This is what you see in the ginormous lobby of the Sheraton, just off to the right. In case, you do not see the hotel front desk, you may see a sign to mark the spot =)

Tip #5 Know thy Food Options.

The shopping center across the Sheraton has plenty to choose from. I eat practically anything so I can go wherever. Last year, sometimes we went as a group and sometimes we split up and ate wherever. For those who don’t sleep, there are places open late too. The attendees this year is double of that last year so it may take some time and patience to get food anywhere. Breakfast: Starbucks, Corner Bakery (or something like it) is in shopping center across the street from Sheraton. Sheraton has a restaurant attached to it and there is a coffee stand near the lobby for those who want the closest thing. Lunch: Friday, o2 provides a boxed lunch. Saturday is on our own. Convention Center has several eateries there on site or we can walk to eateries a block or two away. FYI, it is dessert hot in PHX and short distance make everything feel longer. Dinner: I will be there Thursday night and have no particular plans.

Maybe, Mi Amigos again. That Mexican restaurant was pretty good. Friday, itinerary says Team Dinners. My mentor Leslie Rhoads is working on dinner plans for Friday night but that has yet to be finalized. It has been real hard to plan dinner as many have reserved the space and places already. We may just simply wing it. Saturday night is a dinner and awards ceremony with o2.

Tip #6 Do things early.

If you are coming in Thursday, do your registration that day. The earlier the better in avoiding the lines. Lines will get longer as more and more people arrive towards later Thursday and early Friday. There will be signs posted and you pick up your name tag, etc. at designated booths. Do your shopping early too – Thursday morning is best. The lines are shorter and the items are plentiful. Last year, neck forms were sold out pretty quickly. o2 Store Will be open starting Thursday. Make room in your suitcase to carry things back or you can ship things home from the o2 store. A large neck form fit the Vintage o2 bag perfectly along with all my other sway I purchased. I was able to carry that as a carryon with no additional cost on my flight home.

Tip #7 Be ok with not being together all the time.

One of the reasons we attend convention is to meet those in our team we have only been taIking to online, or on the phone. I am definitely looking forward to meeting each one of you at some point. My team is spread out nationwide and during convention, our team is spread out between different hotels, events and the many activities led by leaders inside and outside of our team. With this said, do take note:

Sitting all together can be tough. When they open those convention doors for seating, all runs to them. The majority will reserve rows of seats, while others strongly will push that there is no reserving of seats, and are of the first-come-first-serve mentality. There are no seat reservations are allowed but I did notice that there was a Reserved section for Directors. If there is a face-off between who seats are their’s, the louder seat-saver wins that battle.

If we get split up, do not assume I do not want to be with you. I would be the first to assume that one wouldn’t want to be tied to me. I’m a free spirit and don’t mind being alone but I did worry last year that some people were left out of the group because there were not enough chairs in our row, at the eatery, or at the gala.

Tip #8 Conquer by Dividing.

Due to the many breakout sessions listed, I recommend the splitting up and and taking of good notes and then coming back to the rest of the team to report what was covered. The info in sessions may or may not be posted in the back office in the future. If one had to go to just one class, I recommend the Maximizing Your Earning Potential. I attended this with our Director Heidi Russel last year. She will be sharing with you how cultivating good habits and a team makes Origami Owl so worth it. Here are 2 other classes that were offered last year:

Tip #9 Be honest and follow the golden and platinum rule.

Do not take more than one towel or freebie that is being given out. o2 knows how many are attending and they know how many they are to give out. Don’t steal from the company and a sister/fellow owl. One’s attempt to make their pockets a little sweeter with more swag takes away from the experience of someone else as some does not get one. See this towel? I was so glad to get just one – not 2 or none.

Tip #10 Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Some people were so tied up about the minors that were were losing the majors. For example: Stop worrying about what you should wear or what you think someone is thinking about what you are wearing or voicing your opinion about how someone spent too much on their clothes or how you can only afford nothing. It’s not nice to others and it is not nice to ourselves. Do with what we have and let others do as they please. We are here to learn, celebrate, and be with others owls. Personally, I like to dress for the occasion. Here are pictures taken on the nights of the 1st Annuowl o2 convention. Whatever you wear, enjoy the moment!

White Out Party

Gala Night

Here is my short video recap of last year’s convention:

3 Things to do Before Origami Owl’s 2014 Convention

April 24, 2014 by Jennylou

Now that taxes are behind me, school is winding down, and lots of things are also coming to it’s close, my head has been refocussing more and more on the upcoming Origami Owl Convention taking place in July.

When I think about it, I have a mix of feelings – everything from excitement to a bit of stress. Exciting because I totally recall what took place last year in Phoenix, Arizona. Have you seen my YouTube video on it? Here you go:

With the anticipation and excitement of all the fun to come, I know I have lots to do. On the upside, there is not that much to do and I have done the most important part of all:

1. Buy Convention ticket – check!

I bought it last year days after the last Convention for the price of $175 – or was it $150? I don’t remember. I knew right off the bat I was not going to miss all that I went through – the fun, the partying, the time with my team who were there and became my instant BFFs. Being part of o2 as it all happened, being the first to know and the first to have o2 stuff was also pretty amazing!

2. Buy Convention plane ticket – not checked =(

This is one of my stressors – just a tad. I have been talking about buying my place tickets since last year. I know what flight I want going out and what flight coming back but I just have not paid for my ticket. Back then, it was just plain forgetfulness. Then the uncertainty if hubby and family was coming along too. Now, I’m just procrastinating. On second thought, I’m waiting for my o2 payday which is in 3 weeks. I am kind of scared that it has gone up in price tremendously since the last I looked months ago and the fare was only $99 each way. I sure hope it has not skyrocketed. If it has, shame on me, that’s what I get!

3. Lastly, Buy rooms + finalize room mates – half checked =)

This isn’t too stressful but I am a natural people pleaser and just want it all to be perfect. Last year, I roomed with 3 other girls in a 2 full-size bed room. And the rest of the team were in other rooms in other parts of the hotel and a few in another hotel. But as far as my room situation, it kinda sounds crazy as that is pretty close living quarters for people you’ve never met before until that day, right? But it was a blast! I’m used to close quarters as my kids never leave me for a second. The girls I roomed with were all my Level 1 Designers and since we talk and communicate so much, they never really were strangers. And after 4 nights of stay, we all just paid for 1 night’s cost.

I have reserved several rooms and many of them are claimed for. I just gotta see who is looking to be a roommate or want their own, and if wanting a roommate, how many. Also, who sleeps early, who sleeps later, etc etc, etc. Last time checking a couple of months ago, the rooms nearest to Convention Center were fully booked out. With 4,000 of the 5,000 tickets already sold, it may be even tougher to get a room now so I hope some consider rooming with another. I know I don’t mind =)

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This morning, I told myself I need to get #2 and #3 done. Just when I finally got to my desk to complete these tasks, we receive a video from Bella & Chrissy:

Whoot whooooot! Gotta get this list done!

Are you joining me? Let me know! I would love to meet you and give you a big o’ o2 Sister hug!!! Gotta warn you, I’m really quiet and reserved and keep comfort in my iPhone as I walk the Convention halls but if you talk to me first, I am all yours =)

Let me know… were you there last year too? Do you have pics posted online? Post your links in the comments below.

Interested in seeing some of my pictures from last year’s Convention? See my Origami Owl Convention 2013 Blog Posts >>HERE<<

See you there!!!!

Jennylou Raya #1186

http://locketsandcharms.origamiowl.com