Disney's EarMarked Convention 2009
Posted by Charlene at 1/26/2010 5:28 PM 
Categories: 3D Travel Company
Tags: Disney's EarMarked Conference 2009
Categories: 3D Travel Company
Tags: Disney's EarMarked Conference 2009
Kim and I arranged to meet in the Orlando International Airport and take the Magical Express service to the Yacht and Beach Club together.
By the time we got there we were tired from our early morning flights but pretty excited about staying at the Yacht and Beach Club Resort. Arriving early enough to really enjoy the day we checked in and immediately began to feel pampered.
After our FREE massages, we picked up our TAG units and began playing with our new toy. We headed over to Beaches and Cream where we met a few other agents and thoroughly enjoyed our lunch. By now it was time to head back to the room and prepare to meet up with the rest of our 3D Travel Gang! Carol Beth - the leader of the pack - called a meeting right away because we work from all around the country this was one of the few times she could get a meeting in face to face.
Afterwards we all headed out to Epcot and then to Downtown Disney. We put together a little surprise for our clients. The fun had most certainly begun and the conference wasn't officially started YET.
The speakers were AWESOME. Bertice Berry really got us started with a blend of humor and hard hitting truths about "keeping our filter clean", "jumping over the job description","getting to heart of things" and "getting my life work in balance". Her words about making sure I am well hit home with me. "Common sense ain't common" and "We walk around everyday in shuffle mode" are a few other bits I've thought about since then.
Disney treated us like Kings and Queens and our party at Disney's Hollywood Studios was spectacular. I never imagined partying on Lights, Motors Action Extreme Stunt Show's set! THEN, as if that wasn't enough we were escorted to our own private viewing of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. I viewed them with the special 3D Glasses and without, took pictures and some video. Awesome definitely describes it!
You think with all that excitement we'd be done for the night - but nope we weren't! Next stop Pixar Place - the after party! Tables were set up along the street along with dessert stations and drink stations and of course a DJ and dancing. Toy Story Mania was available for our personal enjoyment also! Private motor coaches whisked us back to the Yacht Club, where we found goodie bags in our room! This one contained a book An American Original Walt Disney and a reading light so as not to keep our roommate awake - geesh after we stopped giggling we fell fast asleep!
And those were just the Highlights of DAY ONE!
Day two was filled once again with great speakers and sessions that I picked out. A few that I choose were Adventures by Disney - the stories that the Cast members shared were magical indeed, and I was about ready to book one right on the spot for my family. Secrets to Increasing Sales During Current Times, How to Build a Marketing Plan and winning strategies to Selling over the phone. My sessions concluded with a tour of the Central Shops.
I chose to spend the evening at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party - which was very merry indeed. This was my first opportunity to experience one of Disney's ticketed events and I was pleased with the night. The Character's were dressed up for the Holiday and were readily available - for pictures, signatures and even during the multiple dance parties going on. I love fireworks and there's not a better backdrop for fireworks that Cinderella's Castle!
Day TWO was coming to a magical close once again!
Day three began with more speakers and sessions - My first session A Disney Legacy: Keep Moving Forward - really inspired me - Walt Disney was one special man, who wasn't afraid to take risks to keep Moving Forward, even when that old adage One step forward two steps back was trying to keep him down.
Greg Gray was awesome in my session Desperately Seeking Service. He urged us to "stand out in a sea of monotony" and explained that adults forget quickly - 55% in one hour! That Explains a lot!
The General Sessions were also filled with key Disney Leaders and they each shared with us the challenges and triumphs the company has faced this past year. I appreciated their candor and respected them for standing up in front of us all and speaking truthfully. During these sessions we celebrated Mickey and Minnie's birthday party and left with Mickey ears, dessert and even ice cream bars, we were treated to meeting our new Princess Tiana, one lucky agent won an Adventure by Disney's trip, another a night in Cinderella's Castle and the gifts just kept coming! Ivanna Dream sure kept us laughing!
During our last general session we were treated to a visit with an Imagineer. I had always wondered what that would be like. How interesting could that be? Midway through I was completely captured by his life story, which started out like any ordinary person's story. He shared with us his illustrations and the intricate animation he helped draw. He showed us drawings for merchandise we have seen in our local stores and can go out and by right now! AND THEN he began to tell us the story of how he was commissioned to do something special for EarMarked - he shared with us why he decided to put this or that into it and we watched it literally come alive before us. Up until this point only ONE person had been chosen to receive the awesome gifts they would give away at the end of the sessions - so I was completely blown away when they announced that EACH ONE of us would go home with one!
As if that wasn't enough -- THEN in front of a backdrop of Walt and Roy and the Dreaming Tree Sharon Siskie ended our last General Session in typical Disney style - she told us a story the Story of Walt And Roy and the Dreaming tree.
Next thing you know, we are all getting seed packets from the Dreaming Tree......... and dreaming, of the potential in all of us, of what just one person can do with that small dream within them.
Enjoy this video of EarMarked 2009!
Oh the memories......
I am actually a little weepy right now. I can hardly wait for Earmarked 2010!
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I sure could use one of those massages right now --- and I am weepy for a little warm weather - wind chills are below zero here, and the sunshine.........
The next EarMarked will be awesome do doubt!
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WOW Char. I can not believe you got to experience all of that. Thank you so much for sharing. Your descriptions were so good I thought I was there myself. I just love that they give you a little something when you get back to the room. I can really hear you giggling with excitement as to WHAT COULD IT BE? Also, I love the saying, "we walk around all day in shuffle mode!" Ain't that the truth. What an adventure your life has been lately and lucky for all of us that you can come back and share all these fabulous experiences with everyone. If I didn't already know Disney was the happiest and most fun place on the earth, I would now.. Thanks so much again for sharing in such great detail!
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