Donna and Energise Fitness
This month I attended the Zumba Instructor Conference in Lille - France 3rd to 5th May 2013
My companion for the trip and roomy was Louise Evans.
I got to meet Many of the Zumba Zes and Beto himself. In fact as I walked to the conference I passed the hotel where Beto and crew were staying. As he walked out the hotel to his private plated car which was waiting for him, I did ask if I could share a lift. Needless to say I continued walking!!!
I set off for Lille early hours on Friday morning arriving at London St Pancras to catch the 06.50am Eurostar to Lille - Passports at the ready and a sea of bright colours all around. The train was full of Zumba Instructors making their way to the conference - there was a buzz in the air.
On arriving in Lille I made my way to my hotel, dropped off my bags and dashed off to the conference. All around was people dressed in Zumba clothing making their way Lille Grand Palais.
As I arrived I checked in at the desk, received my badge and made my way to my first training.
Today I became a Zumba Sentao Instructor. The room was packed full off chairs, we all picked our chairs and the music started. There on stage for our training the outstanding Marcie Gill and Iza Kin.
The course was busy and full on and lasted all day, quick stop for lunch and back to it. So much fun and energy in the room. After it was back to the hotel for a quick shower change and back off to the venue for a night of dancing with the man himself Beto. The evening was amazing a class lead by Beto with all the Zes dancing on stage. Back to the hotel for a very well needed night sleep.
The next day Saturday started with a very nice continental breakfast and off for my walk to the conference centre. The day kicked off with a welcome session, awards and tributes. And then off to Zumba Gold Boost Session with the great Joy Prouty, One Amazing lady.
The afternoon was Hip-Hop The Zumba Remix with George Lu and Michael Thomas then back off to hotel for quick shower and back for the Theme Party - This year was The Masquerade Ball. There was excitement in the air and everyone dressed up all wearing Masks and Costumes. Every one look fabulous and the concert was out of this world. By the end of the evening I was not sure my legs was even going to carry me back to the hotel. I hit the pillow and was out like a light.
The Final Day - Sunday again started with another yummy Continental Breakfast. Packing of all my case and storing in hotel lobby and off for my morning walk to the Conference Centre. So many people smiling along the way, everyone greeting "good morning, how are you today" I love the atmosphere here. Today I started with Customised Choreography with the brilliant Donna Giffen and then the one I been waiting for A Tribute to the King of Pop with the most amazing Steve Boedt. I can't believe I get to spend the afternoon with this guy. He is so inspiring and passionate about what he does and it is infectious. I managed to just meet up with Vanessa Morris before leaving, had it not been for Vanessa I would probably had not made the trip in the first place. Vanessa inspired me to jump on that Eurostar in the first place and get myself there.
Wow the Conference comes to an end and endless colours stream out of the building all going off their own ways to all different parts of the world. They travelled from far and near and now it was time to travel back. My last walk along the route which had now become so familiar to me. Quick stop back to the hotel for bags and off to the station to get my train home. Whilst there we bump into David Topel from Head Office and Kelly Bullard Zes from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We all had a bite to eat together, then said our good byes to each other and Lille and headed off.
It was a brilliant 3 days and many many memories and many Zumba Friends made.
