Showit United Conference 2018

Snuggle in, because this is bound to be a long one, friends! We are home from the BEST WEEK EVER in Phoenix, Arizona. We ventured there for the Showit United Conference 2018. Showit is a website builder for creatives that gives businesses like ours the tools to easily make amazing websites like the one you’re currently on! The team throws one epic conference every year to fill creative entrepreneurs with education, inspiration, and community. Todd and the rest of the Showiteers are changing lives with this experience!  AND we still can’t believe that we had the chance to go!!  As first timers, we went in bright-eyed and ready.  #showitunited2018 was everything and more than we could’ve ever imagined!!

 

Sunday:

Whew!  Arriving to Phoenix on Sunday was seriously a DREAM!!  As we were driving from the airport towards the hotel, we scored the BEST Uber driver!  Les gave us the low-down on everything, pointing out important landmarks and made us feel oh so welcomed to this stunning city!!  Our jaws dropped and our hearts pounded fast as we explored.  (This was out first time ever in the desert…)  Desert dwellers, count yourselves lucky because you live in a magically beautiful place!!

The hotel was literally built into the mountains and the highest point delivered the MOST INCREDIBLE views of the city.  We were sure we were in heaven, haha!

After registering, getting our first round of ‘Showit Hugs’ and grabbing our awesome swag bags, we were off to the Welcome Reception.  We ran into the arms of SO many of our sweet friends, and actually met several ‘Instagram’ friends, too!!  AHH!! SO MANY HUGS!! I was thankful we were among so many great people.  What a way to kick off the best week ever!!

Monday:

Let the good stuff begin!!!  Our first session started early with an incredible line-up of speakers who were ready to change lives. Many industry leaders stepped up to pour out their hearts and souls!!  Katelyn James, Caroline Logan, and Jasmine Star were at the top of our favs list!!  Our hearts and our notebooks were full and we were already on FIRE!

We were reunited with SO many sweet friends!!  Our hearts were exploding with joy!!  AND we even got a chance to do a group photo with the gals from the Next Level Retreat!  WE WERE PUMPED!!!

That evening the entire group ventured to the Phoenix Zoo for dinner under the stars…AND under all of  the magical Christmas Lights!  We laughed the night away with everyone, filled our bellies with the best food, and explored the Zoo the entire evening! OH, and we officially can mark ‘meet Jasmine Star’ off of our bucket list!!  #fangirling

AND naturally, we were amongst 300 photographers, SO the never-ending photoswap was MY FAV!!  Those creamy, dreamy Arizona sunsets were MAGICAL!!

Tuesday:

We kicked Day 3 off with a BANG!! Again, the lineup of speakers was pretty much mind-blowing…Our notebooks were on fire and full of great info.  We were also lucky enough to be Julie Paisley’s guinea pig during her ‘Posing the Bridal Party’ session!  As you can imagine, we awkwardly giggled our way through Julie’s commands, haha!!

AND then, the most memorable, magical part of the week…

Let’s begin by stating that we are where we are today because of two people. Our business has grown, our lives have changed, and our dreams/goals have been met because of these two.  Amy and Jordan Demos are a husband and wife photography team out of Arizona…Bret and I have looked up to A&J for years.  Officially meeting these sweet mentors for the first time was overwhelming!  We were left speechless (and in tears) at the first hello.  How do you conjure up the words to say ‘thank you’ to someone who has impacted your life/marriage/business in such a HUGE capacity?!  Amy & Jordan, we love you two SO much!!  Those smiles say it all!!

It was time to party!!  We ran back down the mountain to our room, threw on our best outfits, and hiked back up the mountain for a few photos before venturing off to the GALA!!!  Snuggling with Bret on top of that mountain in the desert was something I’ll never forget!!

Photoswapping side-by-side with my sweet friend Quianna!

The gala was a dream come true!  Celebrating with everyone in our fancy clothes was a blast!!  There was a live band, unicorn-llamas, and photo booths! The air was full of giddy giggles all night long.  We danced the night away at the gala before heading to the Tonic After Party!  Bret & I didn’t realize just how out-of-shape we were until we danced for 6-ish hours straight!  Our legs were on fire! WHEW! haha!!

Wednesday:

Our final day of the conference was mind-blowing!  First up on stage was our dear friend Natalie Franke and the closing session was with Amy & Jordan.  With cheers and tears, this amazing week was officially coming to an end.  We couldn’t believe it was over already.  Why are goodbyes SO hard?!

Thankfully we had a day of sitting by the pool with friends & a cold drink to relax!  Can I just live here already?!

And our trip wouldn’t be complete without one more photo swap in the desert at sunset!  We met up with sweet Chelsea and her husband to trade sunset sessions at Papago Park!  (Can you believe that THIS is what their parks look like?!)

Our hearts are SO full as we reflect on our time in Arizona.  Showit United 2018 was definitely INCREDIBLE!!!  Here’s to counting down the days until the next one!

Various Vendor/Photo Credit:

Quianna Marie Photography
Regina K Popova
Chelsea Campbell

Brandie’s Dresses:

Gala Dress:  Borrowed from my sweet sister!
Green & white dress
Pink dress with buttons
Blue and white striped dress
White & black dress with pocket

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