Didn’t make it to the CHA 2013 Winter Show in Anaheim, CA this past January? Here’s your chance to go on an exclusive tour of the Show floor in less than 3 minutes!
The CHA 2013 Winter Conference & Trade Show drew 3336 buyers and 928 networkers, totaling 4264 attendees; of which 790 were international, joining us from 56 countries including Canada, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, Mexico and Germany.
While the temperature was down, the energy was up. Despite the unusual California weather being as low as some 30 degrees, exhibitors and attendees were all in good spirits yielding positive results. For some, this Show was the most successful it’s been in years.
“We’ve been exhibiting at the Winter Show for the entire life of our company – seven years that is – and 2013 was our best Show ever! Our booth was busy literally the whole time. We’ve always seen the Show as – primarily – a way to build brand awareness and network with distribution partners. But this year we worked with a lot of independent retailers and wrote a lot of orders. We did more international business than ever before, picking up new distributors and retailers in Australia, South America, Europe, and Far East.” Sara Davies – Sales Director, Crafters Companion
“This year’s CHA Show was the best in years for us. Not only was it a great forum to see many of our current customers in one place, but it also presented an opportunity to meet new buyers from the international community.” Ryan Newell – President, Spinrite LP.
“The CHA Conference & Trade Show is the only event on the planet where we can greet hundreds of customers in three days. We cannot imagine choosing not to be there. The 2013 CHA Winter show was our best show ever; the quantity of customers, the quantity of leads and the sales dollars written were all record numbers. The CHA Winter Show was a great start for a new year!” Bobbie Medema – Marketing Director, Notions Marketing
Another key contributing factor to the positive momentum was the launch of the CRE8TIME industry consumer awareness campaign and the new CRE8TIME.org website. CRE8TIME is a movement funded by the CHA Foundation, designed to encourage creativity by getting participants to pledge 8 hours per month to doing something creative. CRE8TIME.org serves as the hub of the CRE8TIME social movement. It is a community where “CRE8ERS” share their crafts, pledge their hours, get inspired, stay informed and learn how to reclaim 8 hours a month.
“The positive energy from both exhibitors and attendees is very encouraging and speaks volumes to the vibrancy and momentum building for the industry. We look forward to carrying that excitement forward with all the new programs we are launching in 2013.” Andrej Suskavcevic – CAE,President and CEO, Craft & Hobby Association.
Every year CHA gives out awards to select exhibitors for outstanding work in product innovation. Those receiving awards for their products include: Innovative Product Award – Katy Sue Designs/Flower Soft – Silicone Molds (www.katysuedesigns.com); Attendee Choice Award – Spellbinders Paper Arts – Imperial Gold (www.spellbinderscreativearts.com); and two Honorable Mention Innovative Product Awards – June Tailor – T-shirt Transformation Ruler Center (www.junetailor.com) and We R Memory Keepers – Envelope Punch Board (http://www.weronthenet.com).
CHA accepts nominations annually from members throughout the industry with the purpose of identifying individuals and companies making significant contributions to humanity, the industry, and the Association. This year Creative Leisure News’ Mike Hartnett was the recipient of the Meritorious Award of Honor. This is the highest award recognition the Craft & Hobby Association can bestow upon an individual past or present member, and is given for significant contributions made to the Association. The Special Recognition Award went to Mari Eriksson and the staff of Fusion Beads, a retail store in Seattle Washington. This award is presented to a person, group and/or company for their extraordinary contribution in an activity showcasing the craft and hobby industry in a positive way.
In 2014 the CHA Winter Conference & Trade Show will return to Anaheim, California January 10-14 to celebrate the 73rd edition of the Show.
We hope you are enjoying the long weekend both here in Canada and in the US.
Do you know what Canada Day is all about? It is the date of confederation, when Canada united as a single country under the British Empire. Celebrated pretty much the same as July 4th, only we welcomed the British… not kicked them out! Picnics and fireworks abound, with the red & white flags and Maple leaf flying high. There are celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and parades across the country. Often, border cities in Provinces and the States have joint July 4 and Canada Day celebrations, as the two holidays are so close together. Although Canadians are known for their polite reservation, patriotism runs rampant during Canada Day. It also helps that we finally are guaranteed no more snow!
Check out this crafty patriotic bike, great for any parade! Of course Canadians are polite enough to let you copy the idea with your own stars and stripes…. Happy 4th of July to our southern cousins!
CHA CANADA 2011 FALL TRADE EXHIBITION FOR QUILTING & SEWING
CHA is excited to announce a new regional trade event for the Quilting and Sewing Industry in Canada. The CHA Canada 2011 Fall Trade Exhibition for Quilting and Sewing will take place on October 3, 2011 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Brampton, Ontario.
For more details on this event please go to our Canadian affiliate website at: www.cchacanada.org, or contact our Canadian Representative in Canada, Paula Jones, at pjones@craftandhobby.org or call 519 940 5969 EST.
In a news release issued on March 4, 2011 CHA announced its first-ever, one-day, for-Canadians-by-Canadians, CHA Canada 2011 Spring Trade Exhibition For Paper Arts at the Courtyard by Marriott Brampton Convention Center, Brampton Ontario, Canada. See the complete release below and contact Paula Jones for attendee or exhibiting information Pjones@craftandhobby.org or (519)940-5969.
CHAS CANADIAN SPRING TRADE EXHIBITION FOR PAPER ARTS - MARCH 28, 2011
ELMWOOD PARK, NJ (March 4, 2011) In efforts to continue the international advancement of the craft and hobby industry, the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) is pleased to announce first-ever CHA Canada 2011 Spring Trade Exhibition For Paper Arts at the Courtyard by Marriott Brampton Convention Center, Brampton Ontario, Canada. This one-day Canadian craft industry trade event will focus on paper crafts and is anticipating about 10 leading Canadian paper craft manufacturers and up to 40 retailers attending. Manufacturers, suppliers, media and designers from across Canada will exhibit.
The Spring Trade Exhibition will highlight demonstrations/presentations from Donna Downey Studios Inc, Wendy Russell, Rosewood Stamps and Susiebee Studios, a brand new Canadian company launching at this event. The event will also provide a sales and buying opportunities. This one day event will give exhibitors the opportunity to address Canadian retailers in a smaller, less formal environment than a typical trade show. It will include table top exhibits, order writing, a mega workshop featuring exhibitors’ and some non attending U.S. companies’ class kits and opportunities for both retailer and manufacturer education and seminars.
This “for Canadians, by Canadians” craft industry trade event has been initiated, funded and will be staffed exclusively by and for Canadian businesses. Canadian companies exhibiting and participating include: Acme United Ltd Canada, Ecstasy Crafts, Harmonie, Multicrafts & Gifts, MyStamp Box, Rosewood Stamps, Stix2- Kool Tak Canada and SusieBee Studios Inc.
About the Craft & Hobby Association
The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) is an international not-for-profit trade association consisting of thousands of member companies engaged in the design, manufacture, distribution and retail sales of products worldwide including the $29 billion U.S. craft and hobby industry. For more information about CHA’s programs in Canada go to www.cchacanada.org. For more about CHA, membership, or its award-winning CHA Conferences & Trade Shows visit www.craftandhobby.org.
Welcome to the official blog of the Craft & Hobby Association
Check back weekly for the latest news and information from the craft and hobby industry.
The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) is an international not-for-profit trade association consisting of thousands of member companies engaged in the design, manufacture, distribution and retail sales of craft products worldwide.
For more about CHA, the value of membership, or its award-winning Conferences & Trade Shows, please visit www.craftandhobby.org.
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