Come as You Are

The annual carnival in my hometown was the place to be each June. Our small community didn’t have much, but the carnival was one of those traditions that in my teenage eyes could not get any better. It was the place to be and be seen. The rides and the games were fine. I was more interested in who else would be there and what we’d get up to.

 My friends and I would take great pains with our newly discovered makeup and Farrah Fawcett flipped hair. We would don our bell bottoms and smock tops—the epitome of 7^th grade cool. What can I say? It was the late 70s and the style was hip! I remember clearly my aqua blue cuffed bell bottoms that escorted me to the carnival one year. 

We were all excited to walk around the carnival and see who else was there. We would find our other friends, hang out, laugh and joke with the boys who were always up to something. It was our place, our time and our fun. It was something we looked forward to as our moment and something we recall with nostalgia. 

Those were simple times and even simpler events. As I think about the CREW Network Convention, I know the same is true for our members. The annual CREW Network Convention is the place to be each fall. We look forward to reconnecting with our friends and business partners. We anticipate meeting new connections and we embrace each day as a celebration of women supporting one another in the industry. 

This year is not so simple. Yes, you may like to do something special with your hair that day (though maybe not that 70s flip style). You may want to buy a new dress or shoes. You would likely reach out to your tribe and plan where to meet up—perhaps plan some activities to rejuvenate and re-energize you. 

But that is not what 2020 had in store for us. You might feel like convention will not be the same. In the words of Kurt Cobain... come as you are! Join us and make the most of what the CREW Network Convention offers.  

We’ve all been living and working online for months now. It would be easy to think this year is awful with no in-person convention. But let’s flip it—this year is special—a unique way to experience convention. Just as I looked forward to my summer carnival and meeting up with friends, I encourage you to register and embrace this convention in the same way. It is your moment to see your friends and connect. Don’t let distance or technology make you feel differently. 

Come as you are. Don’t let 2020 take away the connection to your CREW.

Cheers,

WM

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