2006 & 2007 Endorsements please....

[CARAN52]

What I'd like you guys to do while Rob and I take a breather for a month or two is to post your "endorsements" as to why anyone who has not attended one of our gigs yet should attend in 2008. Who knows you may even win a prize!! I mean what else are we noted for right? Please do not take the lack of postings from the coordinators as a lack of enthusiasm, etc. We are taking a month or two off, but still working on contracts, etc. behind the scenes. I believe our website for 2008 will go online beginning of January. Most important at this point is getting the contract signed and also to secure "plenty" of hotel rooms which is a major problem for us in the past. I am working on getting the discounted rates now and will post as soon as I have them. Then, please, please, book up the rooms.....they only have 200 total and actually 2 other big ballrooms to compete with. Someone got in ahead of us for 2007 and took a ton of them up. It's our turn to steal the bacon!!

[CARAN52]

thanks for the responses in the past couple of days. We are up to 55 already!!! Can we get to the 200 even before the contract is signed???? Sure OLS always comes through!!

[obxhatteraslight]

I was so scared to attend the first Hershey Mini and was soothed over and over by the current coordinator AKA caran52. It definately was a time to remember in 2006 and it only got better in 2007. For me personally its not so much about WINNING A PRIZE (although it doesn`t hurt :smile8:) but being amongst others that walk the walk and talk the talk!! Speaking of people that I have met especially OLSERS!! Might I add that they ROCK!! It doesn`t surprise me that OLSERS are so open and willing to chat and welcome you into the group!! KBSocial herself is just amazing, giving and OMG so FUNNY!! Maybe you haven`t heard the story of me walking through the lobby that first mini and seeing a guy with P-LIFT on his name badge. I wasn`t too familiar with OLS then but knew the name P-Lift. That kind man aka NOW anyways as RABIO extended the warmest handshake ever. I consider next years coordinators some of the best sweepstaking friends that I have. So if your anything like me don`t be afraid to take that leap into something new!! You`ll be thankful that you did and will have made friends with some of the nicest sweepers around!! Hope to see you in the vendors room next year!!

Something that I really enjoyed was donating items for prizes. If you make envelopes or anything sweeping related a donation down the road would be welcomed. I loved seeing the smiles on peoples faces when they won!!

Hope to see you all next year and I promise to come out of my comfort zone for some Karaoke!! KB was so sweet R U gonna dance she asked me with the cutest face:):) She is such a wonderful woman!!

If we are lucky Rabio will make another appearance!! We are lucky, we are winners we are GRAND PRIZE MAGNETS!! :jawdrop: :crowd: :cheer10:

[demmi]

Why go to the 2008 Hershey convention? You will have a blast. My husband did not go to the whole convention with me he only went to the banquet . He had such a good time he is going to do the whole convention in 2008. I to donated a prize at the convention I am a bookseller so I donated a basket with new books and other items, so if you sell stuff such as Avon or Watkins just about anything talk to Rob about making a donation people like to win all kinds of things. And of course my donation brought me luck I won a Hershey basket, the table prize and I also when I got home I won a guitar signed by the band Augie March. SO MUCH FUN :cheer10: :cheer10:

[CARAN52]

I agree with your statement; sometimes just by giving a little you will get a lot in return. We try to keep the registration fees cheap for this event, so we do need to rely heavily on all donations. It don't have to be you yourself; how about your employer; your family's employers; enter some sweeps for some cool prizes to donate (that's what I've been doing over the past 2 years); just as you visit stores or anything.

If you have any business in mind that you want me to contact, please PM me directly. I will be organizing the donations this year, as I am going to be leaning on Rob once again to keep the website functioning and doing some marketing for us. Plus he has 2 beautiful little girls and a wonderful wife to keep happy. Lori was a huge help this year and drawn into our "sweeping world" without any hesitation. It's good to have her aboard!!!


I'm also looking for topics for the sessions. I have some ideas I've been working on, but I want to hear from you guys!! PM ME!!!! :sing:

[CARAN52]

I am glad that your husband enjoyed himself to come as a full attendee next year!! John never wanted anything to do with sweeping either....but, I had talked him into helping with the DJ stuff last year and next thing I knew when we got home he was asking about how to do the OLS website and he has been a faithful sweeper with online sweeping only for the full year now ---and winning!! Smaller stuff yet, but winning!!

I think I talked to a couple more over the weekend that now that they have met and seen the amounts of actual winners are willing to give it a try. Hey, one of the biggest reasons I organized this event was not only to promote my business, but to meet all of you guys and share info. The prizes are just the icing on the cake!!

[CARAN52]

We're at 65 already!! Is that cool or what???? :clap: Come on guys Rabio is even comin back!!! :pinkie:

[CARAN52]

We are starting to gear up to sell out this year's convention and with summer coming up we hope to be sold out before the pre-convention activities get started so that everyone can participate. (See discussions on Hershey Bonanza and the Mail-In Raffle under the 2006 & 2007 convention headings, plus some details are posted on the www.hersheyminiconvention.com website).


In the meantime we are looking for other OLSers who have attended to give their opinions and recommendations to those who may still be in the thinking mode and haven't attended one of ours yet.

We are uniquie -- we are not a full national convention -- but not a half day meeting event. We are a combination of everything. See agenda on our website.

Carol:magic:

[hondaray6]

Why go to Hershey? Why wouldn't you?? You can't imagine the fun you'll have and the great sweepers you'll meet! I've been both years and in 2007 we made it a family trip. My son, DIL and 2 g.kids came with me and stayed in my room (discounted rate) and while I had a ball at the convention, they did up Hershey Park, while also enjoying the pool etc at the hotel. We came a day early so I had a chance to look around the area. Then I told them to just go their merry way and pick me up Sunday! LOL Everything you need is right in the hotel and once they crank up Friday evening you are pretty much in sweep heaven til Sunday noon! I am not a party animal, I go for the swepstakes, but if you want to party they can accomodate that too! Just know that not everyone is up to that! LOL My party days are WAY in the past! However, I am thinking I may have to come 2 days early this year since there will be a new casino open across the street this year! I'd better start winning some gambling funds! Hope to see you there! Rhonda

[obxhatteraslight]

:gift:Let me take you back to 2006 when the first mini was hatched. I believe it was meant to be a girls weekend out for some members in the founders club. With that notion I believe they decided to expand to give others the chance to see what a mini convention is like. How lucky of us to be extended that invite to go to one of the sweetest places in the whole United States? Well let me tell ya, this lady hadn`t been out of the state of NY on her own. Ok I did go to Niagara Falls ON Canada but that is a whole differant story. I constantly emailed the Coordinator of the mini and asked her a ZILLION questions. I think that we might of had a tiny misunderstanding via email prior to the mini. Cause I was a bit scared to meet the Infamous Carol M!! She kept telling me not to worry that there would be others to meet and fun to be had. Well the group from Rochester NY known as the Lucky Lilacs extended me a warm welcome!! Thanks Terry...

Might I add that Carol and I have become very good friends and traveled to Vegas together. She is one top notch lady, who I hope takes pride in knowing that she has inspired others to enjoy sweepstaking!!

Why to attend the Hershey Mini? First, why not??:welcome:

Here Are My Top 10 Reasons Why!!
****************************
1) Hershey Bonanza
2) Spending time with people who walk the walk and talk the talk
3) Vendor room gleaning ideas to become more crafty
4) Mail-in Raffles
5) Rabio or Fabio...... or is it Robio....:highfive:
6) Meeting fellow OLSers!!
7) NOVA Sweepers and Fabio!!
8) Fikey!! (kudos to Rhonda ME)
9) Vendor Raffles
10) CHOCOLATE!!

I hope to see many of you this October! I know that I will be coming down Route 81 again. Of course, stopping at Hershey World!!

I forgot to mention that I have won some amazing prizes since attending the Hershey Minis!!!

Wishing You All Many Wins
Aimee NY:kitty:

[positivelift]

Woo hoo Aimee! I made it in your top 10 list! :toast1:

My main reason for attending is to meet people who are very enthusiastic about this hobby, such as Aimee, Carol, KB, and the rest of the OLS gang.

The 2006 NE Mini was my very first convention. I didn't know what to expect, but had a blast the entire weekend. It's reassuring and exciting to be surrounded by people who understand this hobby and are excited when others win.

I cannot tell you how grateful I am that Carol decided to extend the invitation to 200 people this year. There are spots remaining, but I fear that these will be taken soon.


Until October, best of luck to everyone in your sweepstaking adventures. I can't wait to see you at the sweetest place on earth! :-)

~Rob

[gracepap]

I'm so sad still that I can't make it this year. :sob: My daughter's sweet 16 is that weekend and the San Antonio convention (I have ALWAYS wanted to go to San Antonio!) is the weekend I bring my other daughter to college for the first time. Bad timing for me. I am having a hard time knowing I have to wait until 2009 to see y'all again. :(

[positivelift]

I'm so sad still that I can't make it this year. :sob: My daughter's sweet 16 is that weekend and the San Antonio convention (I have ALWAYS wanted to go to San Antonio!) is the weekend I bring my other daughter to college for the first time. Bad timing for me. I am having a hard time knowing I have to wait until 2009 to see y'all again. :(

Awww Grace!!!! We'll miss you this year, but understand that a daughter's Sweet 16 is very special.

But....didn't anyone tell you that this is the last year for the mini? JUST KIDDING!!!! :rofl3: See you in '09! :cheer9: Until then, best of luck to you and your family.

[Adrianita]

I'm so sad still that I can't make it this year. :sob: My daughter's sweet 16 is that weekend and the San Antonio convention (I have ALWAYS wanted to go to San Antonio!) is the weekend I bring my other daughter to college for the first time. Bad timing for me. I am having a hard time knowing I have to wait until 2009 to see y'all again. :(

Tell me about it! I don't even know if we are going to be able to go because of work and school, I'm trying to see if I can get that weekend off!

[positivelift]

Tell me about it! I don't even know if we are going to be able to go because of work and school, I'm trying to see if I can get that weekend off!
:( Oh no! Here's some good vibes to help you in getting that weekend off! :gvibes:

[obxhatteraslight]

:sing::scoot::bouquet:Already talking with my co-workers and working out trades of shifts right now. Yep, planning ahead is gonna be the key for me!! I have already started a coin jar on a mention from our Fearless Coordinator Carol!! Hey, not to mention that I am taking Vitamin C too!! I don`t plan on being sick this time around and missing Hottie Rabio/Fabio!!
Speaking of Rabio/Robio, while I was driving to work last night they were playing the song that he did karoke to!! It was the first time that I had heard the song since.. LOVE IT he he :superman:

[dcreed]

Well, I just sent in my registration for my third year attending.

I have the most fun!!! The speakers are always great, the food is good and the PEOPLE are super!!! All ages, all sizes, all FUN!!!!!

So many positive attitudes. Always smiles when someone wins!!

Now, I freeze my butt off because Im not use to the weather but I just love it.
In fact, I rather go here that a national because of the closeness!!!

I do suggest you stay at the Holiday Inn. Makes it easier for you to just walk downstairs.

Come everyone.....What are you waiting for???????

[positivelift]

thank you (dcreed) Georgia Peach for the endorsement! We look forward to seeing you again this year. We're going to make it a blast!