AWAI Bootcamp

This was a great week for me. I worked like crazy on Monday getting everything finished up so I could go to AWAI Bootcamp- my copywriter seminar. Monday afternoon I drove to Springfield and spent the night at a hotel. I had a 6am flight out the next morning. They had a park and shuttle, so I left the car there and took their shuttle to the airport.

The flights were uneventful. I was supposed to meet us with a fellow Arkansas writer in West Palm Beach at the airport. I was a little stressed out because we were about ½ hour late. But he was even later. Several other AWAI people were waiting for the shuttle. They delayed the shuttle waiting about 20 minutes for Steve (my Arkansas writer) to arrive and get his luggage. Finally we had to leave without him.

However, the joke was on us. As we waited for him, they added two people to the shuttle and a ½ hour trip took a good 1 ½ hours. He took a taxi and got to the hotel WAY before us!

 Walking on the beach with the seagulls

 The tan building is the hotel we stayed in.

I sat at the pool area and this little bird and his friends came to visit.

Tuesday was a get settled day. I walked on the beach and then chatted with a bunch of people at the hotel restaurant/bar. That seemed to be the after-hours gathering place. Made some good connections there. My roommate came in later that evening. Very nice, congenial gal from Kansas. A farm girl.

Wednesday events kicked off about noon and went non-stop from then until Saturday about 3pm. We had a short break to pack and an evening women’s dinner from 8-11:30pm! All this made for late nights and early mornings. Breakfasts started at 7 along with break-out sessions. Friday I went to mediation on the beach. It was really neat to be there at sunrise.

I was able to talk with some potential clients and get some action plans in place. We had great speakers. What I love about Bootcamp is that the skill level ranges from newbie to millionaire… and they are all approachable and friendly. The experts are genuinely willing to help out and chat. The clients are anxious to hire good copywriters when there’s good fit. And the instructors have tons of valuable information to impart.

Saturday-- after the conference was over and before our evening women's writers dinner, Lisa, my roommate, and I went walking on the beach and then down the street to do a little shopping. She said she took a picture of her feet in the Atlantic... so I did, too.

This was our group at the women's evening dinner

This is me with Lori Haller-- a graphic designer I've worked with, Lisa, my room mate, and a friend.

I kept up pretty well— trying to get to bed before 11 and up by 6am. But Saturday night bed at midnight and up at 4am for my 7am flight did me in. One good thing— we carpooled and one of the ladies called Uber. First time I’ve used them. The total cost for the 4 of us was $24, plus tip. A fraction of the $27 per person for the shuttle! I slept both legs of the flight home— or at least had my eyes closed dozing.

It’s nice to be home and I’m glad I had a very productive trip. Now off to implement all I learned.

On the home front: Miranda and family came to visit while I was gone. I think they had fun playing in the yard. Tom did a great job building a deck and stairs at the Midway duplex. Nathan is still struggling to get his feet on the ground and move forward, but we are starting daily planning and accountability sessions that I hope will help him keep on track.