So What Is this Pursuit 31 Conference anyway!?!?!

So by now I’m sure you’ve heard the buzz…. Pursuit 31 is putting on a Conference… yeah…so….. What is it anyway?

Well I’m going to do my very best to help answer that today.    Last fall I had a vision of like minded women coming together to just GET AWAY.  To unwind.  To unplug.  To be free to hear themselves again.  And to come back renewed and refreshed to pour out their best to their families, friends and clients.    I searched the internet for what seemed like hours.  I was sick of going to women’s conferences at a youth camp that had previously hosted a group of sweaty basketball players in bunk beds and shared bathrooms.  I was sick of going to conferences where the food was so bad that I spent an entire week hungry or in search of a taco bell.  That just was NOT what I wanted. Everywhere I turned I kept coming back to this place.  The second I saw it I was pulled in… I just knew that this was where God wanted to pour into His daughters.

Upon stepping onto the property a peace overwhelmed my soul and I knew it was the right decision. From the grounds, to the staff, to the food, to the rooms… it was all exquisite. I can honestly say that I have never been to a place that made me feel this way before. I have stayed in 5 star resorts, and gorgeous hotels all over and the peace, rest and pampering that I felt in my soul here was second to none.

THIS is what a Women’s Conference should look like. In my opinion of course. A place surrounded by not only beauty, but comfort. A place to let down all walls, all sense of duty and obligation and to just for once, be in a place to receive. It was one of the most amazing 24 hour periods of my life. No joke.

For reference this is what a VIP room looks like… the basic rooms are the same without the vaulted ceilings

I wanted a place for women to come together with other women who understood where they were at.  I have my own home based photography business.  I have 2 crazy energetic kids who I love dearly.  I am in the same boat as so many of you.  I know what it’s like to try and run a business and be a mom, and a wife and all of the other things that pull at us women.  It is hard.  I have felt like quitting and almost have.  I have felt so inadequate and so much like a failure that it literally hurts.  I have also had high times where my business is booming and yet then my feelings of failure come from my expectations of myself at home.  It’s a tough road.  Don’t feel bad for the fact that it’s wearing you out.  You are NOT alone.

My heart for Pursuit 31 and for this conference specifically is for you to know completely that you are not alone.  I wanted to create an environment for a community of women to rise up together, be a support and help each other hit our marks.   The schedule was designed to cultivate this kind of growth.  Through large inspirational teachings, times of worship, family style dining, smaller business classes, one on one teaching, small groups and ample time for rest and relaxation, it is our hope that you walk away from this Conference forever changed.  It is our hope and prayer that not only do you get practical help for your business, but that you meet lifelong friends and that God meets you there.  That He comes to your deepest place of need and meets you there.  In a very intimate way.  That is our prayer through this whole thing.

We know we are not a perfect conference… we don’t have perfect people and I’m certain we will do something wrong and screw up somehow.  But we are in this together.  We are after the heart of God for you, for your families and for your businesses and we want more than anything to see you hit the destiny that God has for you.  We want to hug you, love on you, talk with you, help you with the practical and also contend for you personally.  If you have been wondering why the schedule hasn’t been released or written out in detail than you will probably just have to keep wondering.  Because honestly, we don’t want to be so tied down to an exact schedule that we don’t give God room to do His thing.  Is that okay if we just give Him room?  I sure hope so! I am SOOOO excited! I know His schedule is going to be WAY better than anything I could ever come up with!

 

 

So what can I tell you???

 

Well A LOT actually!!!  Here’s what I know WILL be happening! I just don’t know exactly when

Jody Gray will be sharing from her heart and her personal journey this year as well as amazing practical insight on how to manage your business finances!  I am SOOO excited about that part… I need that SOOO bad!

Jane Johnson will share her journey of starting and maintaining a photography business, the surprise addition of a design business, and the key parts of scripture that have helped piece it all together.  Jane will also be doing a smaller class on design and offering design critique to some brave volunteers.

Desirea Rodgers will be sharing her journey from visiting Asia to discover the ramped sex-slave movement to helping found Love 146 to help prevent child sex slavery and provide aftercare when they are rescued.

Mary Marantz will be talking finding your greater… ( I will let her expand on that because she is WAY better at it!) She will also be doing a smaller class on posing mechanics to help us get those amazing portraits that she is known for!

Elizabeth Ann King always has awesomeness up her sleeve but one of the things I’m most excited about it her Altogether Lovely portraits!  EAK has such a gift for making every women feel AND look absolutely stunning! She will be teaching you how to take incredible head shots… and guess what?!?! You can get yours done too!!!  It is our heart that every attendee walks away with a new incredible photo of herself for her website!  So between all of us there.. if you want one, you will get one!

Katelyn James will be talking about how to create a solid brand that lasts and gets you the clients you want… She will also be doing a full class on Office Organization/Management!   I am sooo not adminy so this class is going to be SOOO beyond helpful!

Dawn Davis will be sharing on Giving Him the reigns… how placing their business and their lives in His hands has formed a life they never imagined.  She will also be sharing how they have taken their small town business to success and how you can too. How they raised their prices to meet the client who appreciates them for their talents, how they handle client meetings, manage workflow and post production process, along with the decisions they made on their branding, and marketing approach.  (WOW! Can you say GOLD MINE! I am PUMPED)

Karen Stott I will be sharing a lot from my experiences with balancing a business and a family…. when God asks me to take big scary steps and the journey along the way.  I will also be teaching smaller classes on How to create SIMPLE fusion videos that will Wow your clients and bring you new ones.  The Client experience and using FREE custom websites & facebook as my only marketing.

This is just a small taste of the awesomeness that these speakers and the Pursuit 31 staff have lined up for you!  All of the speakers will be with us the entire time and have set aside this time with us to sow into you as well as recharge themselves.  I am literally on pins and needles with excitement.  The thing that gets me all sorts of twitterpated is not the words above or the outlines I have in my head but the in-between.  Those heart to hearts that will happen  until the wee hours of the morning.  The divine appointments and friendships that only HE knows about.  GAH! I get GIDDY just thinking about it!

Our Dining hall…mmmmmm… I can almost taste the sweet tea!

So now that you have a taste of what we will be covering… do you have any other questions??? Well of course you do!!! Here are some of the Frequent Questions we have been getting…

1. When is registration and checkout?

Registration is from 3-5 on Monday October 1st in Rome Georgia.  We will be checking out between 11 and noon on the 4th. 

2. What airport is closest?

Atlanta is the closest major airport and it is 90 minutes away from the retreat center

3. Is there a shuttle to get us from the Airport to the Retreat Center?

Shuttle!?! Shuttles are for normal conferences…. I think we’ve already established that my heart was to NOT be like a normal conference.  We do not have shuttles… however we do have limo and town car services available!  Seating is limited so please let me know asap if you would like a ride to or from the retreat center and the Atlanta Airport.  Cost is $35 each way but is way more fun and cheaper than getting a taxi!  Currently we have a excursion limo scheduled to pickup at the Atlanta airport on Monday the 1st at 1 PM.  

4. Is there a way of knowing who else has signed up so we can connect beforehand and share rides?

Absolutely!  After you register you will be added to a secret facebook group exclusively for Conference attendees.  There we are getting to know each other, finding room mates and figuring out transportation.  We’ve already been having so much fun in there! I can’t wait for you to join us!

5. The room assignments look like they are King beds?  Is it possible to split those up into two twins?

This IS possible… however it is a lot of work for the retreat center staff and does cost extra money.  We encourage you to request a room mate that you know and are comfortable sharing a bed with.  However if you don’t know anyone and would like us to split your bed, please let us know asap so we can figure that out.  There are only a limited number of rooms with this ability.  So it is first come first serve

6. Are we allowed to request a room mate?

YES!!! Next week we will be sending out a questionnaire to all of the new registrations.  In that questionnaire there is a spot to request a room mate.  If you do not have someone specific in mind we will be prayerfully matching people up based on their answers to the other questions.  

7. I have food allergies or specific health needs is that okay?

Of course.  They make every effort to accommodate all food needs.  Just fill out your need on the questionnaire when you receive it. 

8. Is there cell /wifi service?

Yes there is.  I know as a Mom I could not go a week without cell service! I have to reach my babies!!!  The retreat center is a technology limited property.  There is wifi only in the main lodge area but cell service is available on the entire property. 

9. I am a nursing mom am I able to bring my baby?

Sadly no… this was the only downfall to this property.  It is exclusively an 18 and older campus and they are very strict about it.  I apologize but we are unable to accommodate infants at the conference this year. 

 

I really hope this helps you get a feel for the Conference and answer any questions you were having.  If you have any other questions, PLEASE ask them in a comment below… then I will see it and add it to this list with my answer… then it benefits others that might be wondering too!

 

So will you join us???? I SOOOO hope you will!

We are going to have WAY too much fun! It really should be outlawed how much fun we will have! LOL!

 

My prayer is that whatever has been holding you back until this point is now answered!  But if you still have questions or concerns feel free to write me… karen@pursuit31.com

If you are ready… sign up HERE! The VERY LAST day to Register is Friday August 31st!

If you need more info… visit our WEBSITE!!!

If you would like to help someone go by contributing to our scholarship fund, you can do so HERE!  Even $5 goes a long way!

 

Plus if you sign up TODAY you will be entered to win a 30 minute mentoring session with Jody Gray!!!

 

 

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