The Salt Palace hosts conventions for everything from software companies to defense contractors.

But this week, creativity, fun and a whole lot of stamping are taking center stage.

Thousands of Stampin' Up! demonstrators are congregating in the Salt Palace until July 20. The independent sales consultants have come from across the United States — or even farther — for the convention.

Michelle Sturgeon made the trip to Salt Lake City from Long Sault, Ontario, Canada. She said she likes to stamp because she likes to be creative and design.

Demonstrators — most of them women, some carrying babies — showed they were into the spirit of the convention by dressing up, wearing everything from matching pink skirts to pompom head bands and tiaras.

"You'd be amazed at the things people put on their heads at convention," said Jean Kyhos, a demonstrator from Mosinee, Wis.

Kyhos was in Salt Lake City with three other women from central Wisconsin. They were wearing white baseball jersey shirts they had stamped themselves.

"We have decided that we are not doing hats," Kyhos said.

This year's convention theme is "better your best." Stampin' Up! CEO Shelli Gardner urged demonstrators to make goals.

"The goals you set to better your best will be as unique as you are," Gardner said.

Demonstrators will spend the rest of their time in Salt Lake City meeting each other, learning new techniques and talking about business tips. The convention is hosting "make and take" sessions where demonstrators can try new techniques.

Jaron Winder, who works for Riverton-based Stampin' Up! in demonstrator training, taught new techniques Thursday. Winder taught demonstrators to use two stamps to give other stamps texture and how to mix colors.

The environment at the Salt Palace is fun and contagious. New President Dale Fillmore has attended many conventions, but he said he has never been to one like this.

"This is what a convention should be like," he said. "This is more than a convention. This is a happening."

The demonstrators are 99.9 percent female, and many are stay-at-home moms.

Dana Robinson of Stampin' Up! public relations said that, for thousands of stampers across the world, stamping is almost a way of life.

"It's definitely a lifestyle. People get into it," she said. "Literally it's addictive, because you can see your own creativity."

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