Thursday night. Last day of the Crystal Diamond Reward Trip. We put a wrap on this shindig by reserving a fleet of seven helicopters to fly our group up and down the strip.
Movie fans might have favorite movies with helicopters in them: Die Hard; Blue Thunder; Black Hawk Down.
Mine is Apocalypse Now. (Movie geeks will recognize my allusion to the movie in this post's title.) Big ol' Hueys flying in formation over the Mikong Delta, giant speakers strapped to them blasting out Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries," Robert Duvall gone mad. It's a heckuva scene. It's always made me want to ride in a chopper and see if it really makes you feel like an avenging angel thumping through the air.
Answer: it does.
Riding in a helicopter made me want to quit my job and immediately go to flight school so I could fly choppers all day.
What a rush. And based on the reactions of the distributors in my group, they thought so, too. Over the headset, I could hear them exclaim as we banked, "This is awesome!" (Someone else said "This is scary," but by scary, I think they meant awesome.)
Seeing the bright lights of Vegas from above was serene: we hovered away from the chaos and noise that fills the space below. All we had was the heartbeat thump of the rotors and the eye-popping neon before us.
We journeyed to the end of the strip, banked, and flew back on the other side. The glass panels of the chopper's sides and nose afforded fantastic views for all, and I was sad that the journey was coming to an end, but extremely grateful to have had such a wonderful experience.
I suppose that sentiment sums up my experience here at the Crystal Diamond Retreat. I hope to attend more in the future and bring it to life for you via blog.
Or, better yet, after you set some serious sales records this year, you will qualify for the next trip so you can experience all this firsthand rather than reading my postings about it. I look forward to meeting you at our next Reward Trip.
Thanks for joining me on this whirlwind tour. I'll be signing out now, but I'll be adding more photos next week from the helicopter trip and some miscellanous shots that I haven't posted yet. So, check back a few more times if you have the time.
Until then, adieu, adieu, to you and you and you...
Chris
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Kissing Marilyn Monroe, Marrying George Clooney, and Hopping into Bed with Hugh Hefner...All in One Night
On a personal note, I just want to say that I ate lunch at Olives restaurant here in the hotel, and it was one of the best meals of my life. It was a salmon dish that gives me hope that if the human race can concoct such an exquisite tasting meal, then perhaps there is hope for us crazy apes after all.
OK, moving on.
Wednesday night was spent at Madam Tussaud's wax museum, which is cool at first, but then gets creepy if you're in there by yourself.
Example: I went to the venue early with the Events team, and as we strolled through the mostly empty building filled with posed, life-size, life-like figures of famous people, I would occasionally pass one of the catering staff who was standing still among the statues. As I hurried through rooms, of course, the living person would blend with the statues. And as I passed, the caterer would move, which I would see in my peripheral vision, causing me to jump, swear under my breath, and move along.
Again, I've seen too many horror movies like this.
Distributors had a blast, though, and the occasional scare (yes, it happened to them, too) only heightened the pleasure of the night.
We found one distributor making out with Marilyn Monroe. In another alcove, the ladies could put on wedding dresses and pose with a tuxedo-clad George Clooney for a wedding photo. And in another corner, the several ladies enjoyed hopping into bed with Hugh Hefner, while their hubbies posed with adjacent playmates. Others played actual percussion with Blue Man Group, and some shot putts as Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus watched on.
Kazuo Yamaguchi of Japan was one of those lucky ladies who married George Clooney. I asked her how it felt to be newly married to such a handsome man. "I just got married! I'm giddy!"
Shinya Akimoto of Japan said, "Thank you so much for tonight! It's been very fun. Thank you."
Neways reserved the entire museum just for our Crystal Diamonds, and each room of the museum had a catering stop to load up on drinks and goodies.
I have been unable to confirm that the statues come to life after the museum closes for the evening, and frankly, I was unwilling to spend the night to find out.
Ladies and gentlemen, only one more activity to cover, and then I'm flying home where my family needs me to mow the lawn and change a few diapers (my baby's, not mine).
Next stop: Helicopter Flight Over the Las Vegas Strip
Either That's a Dead Squirrel on Gappmayer's Head or He's Wearing an Elvis Wig
John Gappmayer emceed the Wednesday morning General Session, and he arrived with the timeless flair of polyester and an Elvis wig.
It's hard for me to convey the visceral reaction of the distributors who witnessed Gappy strutting to the stage in his white, synthetic jump suit with 70's-wide lapels and red fringes, with his wig looking a bit like a dead squirrel, or even a perturbed badger. Certainly, a wide swath cleared in the humanity before him as he advanced to the stage.
General Session
- ERIC LARSEN: "There's a saying that what happens here in Vegas stays in Vegas. I hope that what we're doing doesn't stay in Vegas. I hope that you go out and share this--that it makes you and your team even more successful in the coming year. We want more people to qualify for this reward trip next year. I want to make sure that you feel appreciated and that you know how much you mean to us. We know that you represent a group of people who are working with you, an army of Neways distributors. We appreciate all of your efforts, because working together, you're helping all of your dreams come true."
- BRIAN SLOBODOW: Brian provided details outlining goals for the Global Sponsoring and Seamless Commissions plan. He also related his experience in running the Jerusalem half-marathon, sponsored by Neways, and how 20 athletes who trained with Neways products were so impressed that they signed up to be distributors.
- SCOTT MOBERLY: Scott busted a move and showed everyone some Elvis dance moves. Then he announced that in response to distributor concerns, Neways would be reducing the amount of plastic used in the Hydracial packaging to reduce our eco-footprint and make it more in line with the Healthy Homes mission. He called the new packaging "extraordinary and beautiful" reflecting the high-scale product that this is." Scott then gave an advanced look at a product in development called BeautéNectar, to support the health of hair, skin, and nails. Everyone in attendance got to sample this product. Be sure to ask your upline leaders who attended for more details.
- DR. ANDREW BERMAN: Dr. Berman is a cosmetic surgeon in Beverly Hills with dozens of actors as clients, and his patients average 40 – 50 screen appearances a week. "I keep them looking good--looking younger longer, literally for decades." Dr. Berman announced that he enthusiastically endorses Neways skin care products. "I know there are companies out there who have products that don't do what they say they're going to do. Nor do they always use safe and effective ingredients. After extensive research, I've found that Neways does both." Dr. Berman loves Neways skin care products so much, his wife currently uses ClearScience, and he is recommending these products to several of his patients.
- JAMIE ANDERSON: Jamie talked about Neways' quest to develop an exciting new product. Want to know more? Your leaders who got this exclusive sneak peek will heave more in-depth information for you.
- ELVIS GAPPMAYER: "These are fantastic new products and programs that you're hearing here first. Make sure that you give your leaders the first opportunity to see these things. Please take it back to your markets. Get them excited!"
Distributor Reaction
"I'm looking forward to a seamless compensation plan," said Adele Brunier of Australia. "Money drives business. And of course, it confirms the credibility of our amazing skin care products to have Dr. Berman's endorsement."
"The look of the packaging is great, surpassing anything in the world," said Ken Ridley, also of Australia. "I'm excited that Neways is reducing the plastic in their packaging. It shows their commitment to listening to distributors. I look forward to the packaging's continued improvement, especially for international air travel."
"The [new product that Jamie Anderson introduced] is something that everyone has been waiting for!" said Ryohei and Matsumi Matsukubo of Japan.
"I loved the taste of BeautéNectar," said Emilia Millikan of Australia. "It has a very nice berry flavor. I really liked it."
"I love the skin care line and what they're doing with it," said Kyoko Nagano of Japan.
Next stop: Dinner at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
There's a Man Sleeping in My Bed! (And Other Stories from Tuesday Night's Award Dinner)
At last some time to catch up on my blog entries. True, it's nearly midnight, but I have an iPod playing Johnny Cash and a giant bottle of Mt. Dew, so I think I can kick it for a while.
As for the title of this entry, you'll just have to read on to see which distributor walked into her room and was surprised to discover a man sleeping in her bed.
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
Tuesday night brought us many things, not the least of which was a stomach ache from gorging on nearly every dessert offered at the banquet's dessert table. Of course, when I says "us," I just mean me. I had chocolate mousse, chocolate fudge cake, a different kind of chocolate mousse, a fruit and custard cup, a coffee flavored chocolate thing that makes me feel nostalgic just typing about it, and yet another different type of chocolate mousse. When I had finished all that, it was time to stroll over to the two chocolate fountains which erupted a steady flow of molten chocolate, into which you could dip rice krispy treats, fruit, short cakes, and other delectables.
Oh, yeah. I had dinner, too.
Distributors shared my enthusiasm for the food and desserts, and everyone was feeling quite full and happy when the awards of the evening were handed out.
And the Winners Are...
The top three teams in the Diamond Dash were:
3rd Place
Munenori Bundo
Minako Bundo
Toshiya Yanagihara
Mieko Yasui
2nd Place
Kai Lok
Cathy Lok
Joobee Ho
Yenmen Kong
1st Place
Michael D'Avolio
Lynn D'Avolio
Norma Johnson
Debra Camp
Winners walked away with pride and Neways goody bags. Congratulations to all our Diamond Dashers.
The Moberly Awards
Scott wandered the crowd with a bag full of prizes for the winners of The Moberly Awards. Here's who won:
Funniest Picture
Sayaka Shigematsu (daughter)
Masumi Shigematsu (mother)
Photo: Of them posing with a Chippendale's dancer.
Prize: Wallets
Happy Anniversary
Munenori and Minako Bundo
Prize: A Shoulder Bag and a Tie
For Bringing So Many People with Him
Roman Sobolevsky
Prize: Versace Ties
Extreme Patience
Kazuko Nukaya
Why: Found that her room was triple booked when she opened the door and surprised the people already in there.
Prize: Wallet and Purse
Most Patience
Toshiko Yamamoto
Why: Toshiko was surprised to walk into her room and find a man sleeping in her bed. No word yet on whether he became a distributor.
Prize: Wallet
Karaoke Night
Kelly Queensberry's band rocked the house for a seven song set before they turned the lead singer spotlight over to the audience. Scott Moberly, Eric Larsen, and Yoshi Komiya got things started by performing "La Bamba." Then, Shinya Akimoto got the crowd hopping with "Twist and Shout."
From there, distributor after distributor became the star of the show, fronting a live band for a moment of glitz and glory.
Sadly, I got suckered into hopping onstage and inflicting my voice upon the masses, for which, I sincerely apologize. My singing voice can best be described as a cross between a rabid raccoon getting the Heimlich Maneuver and an elephant swallowing a set of bagpipes. I torpedoed whatever rock 'n roll mojo that Eric Nugent, Jina Shin, and Jamie Anderson brought to the stage. Thankfully, the distributors who took to the stage before and after us made my shockingly poor performance a short memory for all. One of our Ukrainian distributors, whose name this investigative journalist is still tracking down, is apparently a professional opera singer, and she wowed everyone with a beautiful aria.
The night pulled distributors from their seats to the dance floor and stage, and in the end, everyone left the party abuzz and happy.
Distributor Reaction
Bev Irwin of Australia, made it a point to wander over to Koral Reid and tell her how successful the night came off. "We have people up and dancing and carrying on, and these are people who haven't done that in about 15 years," said Bev. "It's wonderful to see them carry on like that. I've never seen that. They're all bonding and having fun."
Bev went on to tell us how a member of her team had grown as a leader on this trip. "Adele [Brunier] sold our gondola boatsman on Neways while we were riding in the Venitian. She sounded more confident than ever before. Her approach has matured."
Bev concluded her conversation with Koral by again expressing her extreme gratitude to Neways for planning such an event to recognize the company's top performers, and how this positive energy will effect the entire company. "A little recognition is so important," she said. "And we appreciate all this. Everybody needs a little recognition, including the leaders. We saw so much today. More than we ever would have seen otherwise. Thank you, thank you for such a wonderful time."
Peter Anton of Australia agreed. "I enjoyed the singing and it's beautiful to be a part of this with my friends from around the world. And that's what Neways is all about: have a lot of fun; help people make a lot of money."
"Thank you for a wonderful evening!" said Lana Samarski of Australia.
Ginny and Linton Parker of Australia, who have been married for 22 years (and who sang a duet of "I've Got You Babe") said "We had a blast!"
Next stop: General Session, Wednesday Morning
More Pix from the Diamond Dash
Since this blog page will only allow me to upload five photos per blog entry, I will add occasional photo-only entries. Above are more images from the Diamond Dash.
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