So, I guess you’re probably wondering where I’ve been all weekend, eh? Well, I’ve been crazy-busy all weekend long hanging out with 6000 other Zumba instructors at…
The Zumba Convention – 2011 in Orlando, FL!
I flew in with 3 other Zumba instructors from my company on the first day of the conference – Thursday. There were classes and certifications on Thursday, but we didn’t arrive in Orlando till 3pm, so we just used the day to get organized and check out the conference. It was nice to have the down time to get ready for the craziness ahead.
I’m not sure if you’ll see brighter colors and accessories anywhere else. Zumba instructors love fun colors!
Anywho, we took the long hike from our hotel to some of the other conference buildings to do some shopping soon after arriving.
Here’s a photo of the clearance store – discounted Zumbawear galore! The place was kind of crazy and yet also very organized at the same time. The other Zumba instructors were running around grabbing clothes and trying things on. You know how people get when they discount shop! 😉 The crew manning the store ran a tight ship and kept everything quite need and orderly, though.
Next, we headed to the vendor booth area.
There was a lot going on.
The main booth I wanted to visit was the Vita Coco booth. You guys know how I feel about coconut water. I sampled some of their flavored coconut waters (ok, I tried all of them), and though they were all tasty…I preferred the plain coconut water still.
After some shopping in the Wonderland Super store (the full price Zumbawear store featuring the latest styles), we headed back to the hotel to get ready for dinner.
We had reservations at Cafe Tu Tu Tango – a wonderful tapas restaurant in Orlando. (Psst…def make reservations if you want to go, or expect a 2 hour wait)
I love the restaurant because they feature local artists who actually work in the restaurant. The restaurant also sells artist artwork on the walls of the restaurant.
And they also have…
…live entertainment! Like this fabulous dancer. Ole!
We ordered dinner tapas style with lots of small plates. We started with some soup (the chicken/chorizo/bean one), which ended up being one of my favorite dishes.
We also had…flaming cheese
empanadas, tomato/goat cheese flatbread
potstickers, crab chop sticks
pork with sweet potato salad, mushrooms rockafeller (a mushroom dish I tried and actually enjoyed! woohoo!)
…and macadamian crusted mahi mahi
We also ordered this Rocky Road cookie pizza for dessert. Yum!
And on our way out, we checked out some of the paintings by one of the local artists in the restaurant that night.
We actually each ended up taking home a sign. Mine isn’t in the photo, but I’ll share it later. Any guesses what it says? Hint: it’s not in the photo.
Which sign would you most likely buy? (can be in the photo or a quote/line you make up)
Thank you so much for sharing your Zumba convention experience. I’ve been so curious what it would be like and was able to vicariously experience it through your wonderful photos and descriptions!
I’m leaning towards the “I don’t work out” sign because I only like to dance. If it feels like exercise, I lose interest 🙂 I belong to a gym but but call it my Zumba membership because that’s all I do there.
You’re so welcome! Do you think you’ll go next year?
I signed up to go to a certification training workshop this September 2011, so I’ll be a ZIN member next year. The trick will be affording it!
That’s awesome! How exciting!
If you can, definitely save up now…it’s expensive, but SO worth it! 🙂 I missed it for 2 years because of money, but if I could go back, I may have spent less money on other things so I could afford convention.
Looks like so much fun! I love how Zumba has created its own culture, full of brightly colored clothing!
My favorite: “Even my flaws are fabulous”.
I’m so fabulous I sweat glitter is pretty darn funny! Looks like a fun weekend!
looks like such a fun time!!! i would totally buy the sweating glitter sign 🙂
Wish I could have gone this year, but couldn’t fit it in financially due to OTHER planned trips. Guess I didn’t really lose out then, huh? 🙂 Looking forward to GOING next year – hope to meet you there!
You HAVE to go next year! It was so much fun! 🙂
looks like so much fun! i love the sweating glitter one…i sort of want that
How fun!!! Can’t wait to read part 2 and see the video!
I totally would have grabbed the sweating glitter sign.
Thank you for this wonderful account and pics of your trip.
You’re welcome! 🙂