It’s our first day on the job, although being at the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen trade show doesn’t quite feel like work. It’s more like a family reunion! Throughout the year, I e-mail and call sources for articles and collect story ideas and photos digitally. As fast and easy as using the Internet is to procure content for the magazine and website, there’s nothing quite like sitting down with someone and taking notes longhand—hearing their story face to face.

The thing I’ve always loved the most about working with Teen and Miss volunteers and pageant enthusiasts is their passion for what they do. There’s a whole lot of sparkly jewelry and apparel for sale at the trade show, but not as much sparkle as is in the eyes of those who believe in and work for the success of MAOTeen. This week I’m most looking forward to all that sparkle!

Please come by the trade show and say hello to us! Here’s a little preview of the events we have going on at our booth this week:

• Thursday, August 15 at 10 a.m., MAOTeen 2013 Rachel Wyatt will sign autographed copies of fourpoints.
• Saturday, August 17 at 11 a.m., Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan will sign autographed copies of fourpoints.

We also have some special offers for subscriptions during the trade show! A one-year subscription (six issues) is just $19.95 this week. A two-year subscription (twelve issues) is $39.95. And a three-year subscription (eighteen issues) is going this week for $49.50.

We’ll see you at the booth!

Written by: Erika Rose is fourpoints magazine’s staff writer.