Craft & Hobby Association's Winter Show Opens Exhibit Floor to Nonmembers
October 31, 2011
For the first time, the Craft & Hobby Association is opening up its Winter Conference & Trade Show to exhibitors who are not members of the organization.
The strategy behind the decision, according to CHA officials, is to be aligned with the show’s renewed focus on the power of building a creative community and commitment to serving the entire industry.
By allowing nonmembers to exhibit at the show, Jan. 29-Feb. 1 at the Anaheim Convention Center, CHA is inviting the entire industry to participate in and experience the craft and hobby community first-hand and participate in the hobby industry’s largest event of the year.
"A challenging economy and increasing competition both domestically and internationally have caused many organizations to pull back and focus on their core business function," said Tony Lee, acting president and CEO of CHA.
He added, "The risk in this mindset is the missed opportunities to open and diversify the craft industry. By focusing on inclusion, CHA believes we can share the benefits of the Show with the broader crafting community and as a result the entire industry, CHA and our members will all benefit."
Last year, the winter show was revamped in several ways to boost attendee and exhibitor attendance, including a flat fee to attend events instead of paying ala carte.
The event also was held in the city of Los Angeles for the first time in its 70-year history before it switched back to its long-time home in Anaheim for this year’s event.
This 2012 show will debut new features, including a new experts program, a matchmaking program and an appointment-scheduling tool.
In addition, the show will utilize the latest technology to support a new exhibitor invitation program that makes inviting the right buyers easy using smart phone applications.
To shine more of a light on its educational offerings, the association changed the name of the show last year from the CHA Convention & Trade Show to the CHA Conference & Trade Show.
This year’s conference begins Jan. 28 and will offer sessions for the crafting community to develop new skills, gain knowledge and share best practices and lessons learned with other attendees through workshops, seminars, demo-nars and special events, according to show officials.
Last year’s winter show saw tremendous growth in the number of exhibitors and showfloor space and, as a result of changes made to spur the increases it is nominated for the inaugural TSNN “Best of Show” award. The winner of this award will be announced during the 2nd Annual TSNN Event Excellence Awards Nov. 4-6 in Washington, D.C.
Partner Voices
Here at Mandalay Bay, venues are inviting and innovative. As one of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center has recently undergone an exciting upgrade. This renowned venue now offers everything your business needs, with a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, as well as an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're searching for a venue that is both inviting and innovative, Mandalay Bay is the place to be.
Mandalay Bay is committed to investing in a new wave of enhancements, not only in the convention space but also throughout the entire resort. With new restaurant openings and remodels, spectacular entertainment, and updated rooms, Mandalay Bay promises to deliver new and exciting experiences to its guests until 2024.
To create a truly effective conference venue, Mandalay Bay has carefully considered what businesses require. The right technology, capacity, and inspiration are essential to take ideas to the next level. The refreshed Mandalay Bay Convention Center has been designed with your business in mind. Every room is equipped with newly-upgraded technology, enhancing our ability to support bandwidth demand and overall data capabilities. Additionally, the addition of 10 new digital walls provides bigger and more dynamic ways to display customized content messages.
Mandalay Bay offers world-class conference space and service. The venue options range from ballrooms to ample pre-function spaces, catering to teams of any size while accommodating multiple large groups simultaneously. Our certified planners work collaboratively with you to understand your specific event requirements, anticipating your business needs and offering the best-fit solutions.
In addition to providing exceptional conference facilities, Mandalay Bay is also dedicated to sustainability. We strive to give our guests an unforgettable experience while minimizing our impact on the environment. As part of our sustainable energy efforts, you'll find refillable water stations throughout the property, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles and reducing unnecessary plastic usage.
Mandalay Bay is proud to offer an upgraded and enhanced experience for businesses seeking a venue that combines innovation, convenience, and sustainability. Whether you're hosting a conference, meeting, or other business event, Mandalay Bay's refreshed convention space, world-class service, and commitment to sustainability make it the ideal choice. Come and discover the new wave of experiences awaiting you at Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip. Wherever your organization is going, getting there starts with being here.
Add new comment