Lets go "Camping" together!

This past weekend was the annual sales representative meeting for the ad sales force at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.  It was held at the lovely Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, New Jersey.  The purpose of this gathering is to invigorate our sales team.   During this 3-day immersion course, sales reps and their bosses are informed about changes in the company and they’re given motivational training to inspire them to sell lots of ads.

The Martha Stewart ad sales force at The Martha Camp.

Christina Cranley has worked in ad sales for more than fifteen years and was just promoted to Group Associate Publisher.

Sally Preston, SVP of Publishing, is a real pro and a bundle of fun, too.

From left to right - Amy Wilkins, Denise Silverberg, Gayle Lambert, Sally Preston, Charles Koppelman, Karen Sullivan, me, Christina Cranley, and Lizzie Utt

I am standing with a new employee - Doug Brown.

Here's a great group shot. I had been told the evening was camp themed so I showed up in my camping gear - of course no one else did!

Cocktails were served in the garden of the newly constructed Crystal Springs Golf Resort.

Amy Wilkins, me, Charles Koppelman, Wenda Millard and Orlando Reece - the new head of sales for television.

This is the view from the balcony of the dining room - a sweeping vista across the hills of New Jersey.

The hat was a successful addition to my camper's outfit, which consisted of J. Crew khaki shorts, a Ralph Lauren blue work shirt, Vasquez hiking shoes, and the old fly fishing hat from my first trip to Argentina.

Heather Kimoto, Charles Koppelman, and Christina Cranley at dinner

Wenda Millard, our Co-CEO with a new addition to our team - Todd Schwartzman.

Amie Smit and Wenda cozying it up at the camp dinner.

Jacki Kelley - EVP of ad sales and Wendy Robbins - from Chicago. Jacki's team organized the entire event.

Lizzie Utt - our new fashion producer with my assistant - Liesl Menning

Christina Cranley said she really wanted to be on my blog - satisfied Christina?? She's with Michael D. Kelley of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Eileen Kiernan, Orlando Reece, and Michelle Snyder

Wenda introducing me as the after dinner speaker.

I brought my Zeh pounded ash basket back pack with me too, to lug all my stuff - it was greatly admired.

Here I am showing off my beautiful back pack.

Now I'm doing a small show-and-tell about the contents of the basket.

The camp theme was very successful and the camaraderie and good will engendered at the meeting will hopefully last until the next gathering.

   
Day one of a fantastic trip to Iceland
Three adorable puppies came to visit me!
Lightning strikes at my farm
Paddock mowing with my John Deere
My friend Susan's kitchen makeover

Comments

[Kathy :)]

Hmmm guess you and I are up late Martha lol, looks like everyone had a great time....love that backpack !!

Inching closer to the 15th,
Kathy :)

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, I can't think of a better way to inspire people than to have a retreat, or in this case, to have a weekend "Camp Out"! It sure looks like everyone involved had a marvelous time, especially you! It is always fun to see more of your fabulous MSLO team. The Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, New Jersey sure looks like a great place to visit. I love your old fly fishing hat and your beautiful back pack! Your photos are once again fantastic. Thanks so much for sharing. Jan

[Isle Dance]

Fantastic basket. Adorable and practical.

[Pam from California]

Martha you are to cute for words! I want to go to Martha camp too!
Pam from California

[Pru]

I have often wondered how you invigorate your staff - it seems like a lovely way to do it! Thank you for sharing, you look lovely in your camping gear by the way.

Pru

[nadine chan]

Oh Martha, you look adorable in your camping gear!! What a good sport you are, and bah humbug to those who didn't dress up for the camp theme!!

[Amanda S.]

Good for you Martha for getting in the spirit of the evening! You looked great.

[xoBeau]

Wow, the view is just beautiful! The hat and the basket are wonderful accessories ~ you always look so fabulous, Martha!

[Margie]

Yes Martha, I would say the same if I stepped out of the car and there was everyone with white pants. "Maybe I did not read that last memo regarding the camping theme........" Oh but that first glass of wine, perfect, forgo the campfire coffee and water out of a canteen.

[KellySchwark.com]

My parents were at the resort the same time as you and your staff, so I will have to pass the word along!

Lovely camping theme... and I bet that more staffers will play the part next time! Hmmm... I think I take your inspiration and whip up some camping themed designs this morning!

Thanks!
Kelly
www.KellySchwark.com

[Cindy Bricker]

I got a kick right away, before I continued to scroll down the pictures, that this event must have been "casual" dress, reminiscing back to my own corporate-world experiences that these types of "retreats" can be some of the most productive in our professional lives - not only motivationally and morale boosting, but building stronger relationships amongst the "ranks"! Let's face it...our workplace is "home away from home"!...lets all get along and work toward the common goal! I know, too, that these folks are the "cream of the crop"...they look like a fantastic, bright and creative team!

It was good to see Charles Koppelman enjoying himself...I had been reading the "girls'" (Alexis & Jennifer) blogs and had learned of Mrs. Koppelman's passing in early July. I sincerely, from my heart, wish for all pain to subside in everyone suffering from losing this loved one in their life. I humanistically share their sorrow.

Onward and upward!

=^..^=

[Kim Wylie]

Hmmm...almost makes me have second thoughts about my rugged camping trip over Labor Day weekend. Your camp looks FAR more comfortable!

It looks like everyone had fun. Hope you all got plenty of work done intermingled with all of the fun. Can't wait to see what comes out of the camp.

By the way, I really enjoyed the September magazine. Just got it yesterday. LOVE the first pasta dish in that section! It was a refreshing change from the norm, and terribly easy. Bravo!!

[Angela Willis]

Oh, come one! You can't have nice hair and make-up while camping!

You know you really should have required camping attire, it would have really added to the atmosphere! Looks like you all had a great deal of fun!

Angela

[Patsy]

PLEASE let us know where one could purchase one of those fabulous backpack baskets. I love it! Thanks so much.

[Ronald]

Boy Martha!

That Doug Brown is a real cutie!!!

Glad you all had a great time!

-Ronald

[Patsy]

Everyone, I wrote earlier about the wonderful Zeh basket. There is a website that one can access that features this basket. I have emailed him for details.

[Sherey]

If that's camping...count me in! Martha...we think you are the cutest camper ever!

[Katja]

That sounds such a fun way to inspire and train employees.

[Nan Ashby]

This blog made me laugh. Martha, you are an inspiration. You were the only one who obeyed the theme. Hilarious as I scrolled through. You are adorable even camping out. Nan

[Trish]

It looks like you and Sally Preston were the only ones dressed for the occasion although no one was really roughing it. You looked great in your outfit and especially the hat. You should have sported a fishing pole over your shoulder too!

Thanks for introducing more of your staff to us. Before long, we might learn everyone's name. Trish

[Trish Henderson]

I am a faithful reader of your blog and I think it's so nice that you give additional information for example in your blog on your friend Susan's kitchen in which you mention Apartment Therapy website. I would have never known about that website nd I so enjoy it! Although my favorite blogs are on your Bedford Farm property I like that you give information about how your company is run. I think you are very generous with information. Thanks!

[Stephen Zeh]

Hi Martha,
The pack basket looks great! It is nice to see that you are enjoying it I am working on a website now and parts of it are up. I've included the address above. Thanks so much for your support of craft artists over the years. It means a lot to us. I hope you enjoyed your stay in Maine.
Stephen

[Alex]

What a fun evening!!! I live very near to the resort, and I can testify that the area is truly that beautiful. :-)

[Robert Van Loon]

I believe you and I are absolutly,the same creature. Only Im the guy side of martha life. I read your magazine if I can find the time. You should see my hoosier retreat near chicago.. Come on out, and lets throw a big one! Love Bob.

[jane caesar]

I just started reading my first copy of Living and would like to know when writing on dressing a bed you mentioned getting your mattress's and box spring specially made. My question is, I have been under the impression that box springs have gone out of existence and are now called foundations, which are really just a hollow base for the mattress. The mattress now contains all the supporting springs. With platform beds becoming so popular is that the reason the mattresses have become deeper than before. I suppose if you do have them made by a specialist you would have a preference but what I'm talking about is the run of the mill companies like Serta or whatever. If you have anwer I would appreciate hearing from you.