Shoes

[ladikara]

I couldn't reply to the previous thread as it's been awhile, but thought I would let everybody know how this event was. As I said before, I was treated to tickets to the VB event as a birthday present from my older step-sister. We are the best of friends and huge VB fans.

Sorry this will be a long post.

The ticket price was $99 to get in and was sold out. I think in the end, there were close to 200-250 people there. So a larger event but not over whelming.

Upon arrival at the Red Rock Resort, you saw Vera Bradley bags everywhere. It was really fun. We stood in line at the registration desk and once you signed your name on the photo release, you were given your choice of color of the tote bag and lanyard. They had all 4 new patterns (Limes Up, Summer Cottage, Priscilla Pink, or Doodle Daisy). The value of these two items combined is $61!!! I so had not expected this freebie...so it was a great surprise.

We then were welcomed into another room where a yummy hot breakfast awaited. Eggs, bacon, waffles, sausage, fruit, pastries, juice, coffee, etc. We sat at beautiful tables that were covered with a Summer Cottage table cloth.

We then stood in line waiting for the main conference room to open up. It was a line of Vera Bradley everywhere. When the doors opened we saw chairs facing a stage. They had an intro video and a very funny host. Next came one of the founders, Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, who talked about how the company came about. It was a very interesting story and she is quite warm and funny. Seemed like a very nice lady with a smart head on her shoulders.

Next came a in depth introduction to the 4 new colors. They had Liz, who does the Liz on Location videos on their Inside Stitch website and another man speaking. They kind of went into details on how these colors come about and how far ahead they are working. I think they said they are currently working on patterns for Summer 2013!! Anyway, they showed they idea boards on how the colors come about and then went into new items that just came in stores. They started speaking about the new scarves, and then said...would you guys like some scarves? Music and lights started and out came groups of people carrying arm loads of the new scarves. It was very ala Oprah's holiday gifts she did on her shows. People went wild, including myself!!!(The scarf is a $42 scarf! Something I so wouldn't purchase as I feel it's way over priced. It sure is beautiful though and I am very greatful!)

After a short break, we came back to learn about the Vera Bradley Foundation and their commitment to breast cancer research . The ambassador, Heidi Floyd, came out to tell her story. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. I am amazed at her strength and courage. She was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 months into her pregnancy with her 4th child. Just was an amazing story and for me was an eye opener. I am so thankful to have heard her story and encourage all to read about it on their Very Bradley Foundation website.

After we all managed to wipe our eyes they had a nice session on how to use your Vera Bradley items to the fullest. Meaning they have many different uses instead of what they are intended. For example, I use my lunch bag to carry my bottles when I travel. They had tons of free prizes during this they were handing out right and left to the attendees. My sister won a sunglass case.

We were then served lunch. Salad, pasta salad, potato salad, sweet potato fries, hamburgers, BBQ chicken, salmon, and for desert...Peach cobbler and many sweet tarts. Very yummy. By now, I wanted one of the Summer Cottage tablecloths!

After lunch we were back into the main conference room. We then were going to have the Vera Bradley shopping experience in the next conference room. They had placed 5 $250 gift cards under random seats!!! Sadly I didn't win one of those. We were given a $20 off your purchase of $75 or more coupon. Also they had a coupon to spin their wheel of free gifts along with a free zip ID case with purchase coupon. We were told to go next door, and the shopping experience was HUGE. It was like a Vera Bradley store on steriords. So pretty! There were many different stations within the shopping experience. You could talk to Heidi one on one, she was handing out free umbrellas. You could make a video to your mom for mothers day and get a free shopping tote. Pictures with a Vera Bradley background. Make overs. There was a set up of the next set of colors coming out for fall. They are coming out with bedding!!! Also many treats running around.They also had 5-6 stations where you could sign up to win prizes. A bedding set in the new colors, a trip to the next "A Colorful Day" experience in Orlando in October, etc. etc. etc.

During my spin to win, I won a note cube. Which was a $16 value. They had sunglasses, wallets, totes, pen & pencil sets, and purses as some of the other prizes. While waiting in line, they had somebody asking for your facebook and twitter account ID's. If you gave them this info, they gave you a emery board in the new patterns. It's cute.

Anyway, I managed to spend abotu $100 at the shopping experience. I bought a new "abby" purse in Limes Up. Also purchased a wallet, a lotion bag, and a shoppers tote (as I dislike being on camera...where they were giving the bags for free).

After the extra long shopping experience (they gave us 2.5 hours...which was a bit long) we went back to the main conference room. They picked the winners to all the drawings. People were thrilled. They then had a mock game show...kind of like jeporday. It was funny. At the very end they started randomly talking about another tote bag. It ended up being the East/West tote. Up came the lights and music and out came the East/West totes for all!!! A $52 value. People were screaming and jumping!

I have to say this event was amazing. The free gifts were SO not expected!!! I got about $171 in free stuff (my sister got about $216...some people got more). Even without all the free gifts, it would have been VERY neat. I would not think twice about not attending this event again. My mom actually was super jealous as we kept calling her with all the updates. As I said earlier, the next event is in Orlando at the end of October. I am seriously thinking about attending this event with my mama. I work for an airline, so it's very easy for us to get to various cities. She is a huge VB fan...and I think she would have a ton of fun.

I am so thankful I was able to attend this event. It was really well done and exceeded my expectations BY FAR. I met some very nice people there from various parts of the US. Overall...I think everybody should attend it at least once. You won't regret it.