Then & Now-Events
The 1946 industry tradeshow featured 61 booths, primarily with model trains, car kits, planes, and a few early pioneers introducing new craft products and projects.
The January 2007 Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) Winter Convention and Trade Show at the Anaheim Convention Center experienced a record 12.1 percent increase in attendance over the 2006 edition. All told, 16,364 total attendees from all categories came together to conduct business, attend countless educational programs and explore the latest introductions from 959 exhibiting companies encompassing 311,341 net square feet of space.
As the largest exhibition of its kind in the world, the 2007 event welcomed 7,457 buyers from 46 countries, a 5.5 percent increase in buyer traffic over the 2006.
“We’re delighted with the strong numbers the Winter edition generated,” said CHA CEO Steve Berger. “Our buyers and exhibitors have a deep passion for this business and that was especially evident this year. From sold-out workshops and crowded booths to the tremendous turnout for Martha Stewart’s keynote address and other events, the show’s atmosphere was charged with creativity and commerce. We will build on this momentum and work to fine-tune the show offerings to continue meeting the business needs of every segment of our membership base.”
Although locations have changed and an assortment of new products have been introduced each year, one shared passion continues to unite professionals throughout the industry.
Themed “Celebrations: Crafting for Holidays and Special Occasions,” the July 20-22, 2007 CHA Summer Convention and Trade Show returns to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL to help retailers tap into this lucrative market with countless new product resources and an unprecedented line-up of educational programs, buyer services and events, including a special keynote address by Trading Spaces Designer Genevieve Gorder.
The educational offerings at the CHA Summer Show are extensive. Retailers can choose from more than 50 hands-on workshops that touch on home decor, art materials, card-making and gift-giving. There will also be 20 business seminars addressing marketing and branding, digital scrapbooking, and industry trends, as well as the latest market research findings on the booming teen and Hispanic markets. Workshops and seminars will begin on July 19th and run throughout the show.
As the largest summer trade show for the craft and hobby industry, the 2007 edition complements the unique educational offerings with a tremendous product selection. Explore the newest introductions for holidays, special occasions and year-round sales from 460-plus exhibiting companies in every product category, including scrapbooking and paper crafts, digital imaging, card-making, general crafts, art materials, framing, fabric, quilting, needlecrafts, floral, home décor, jewelry/beading and more.
For further event information, visit http://www.chashow.org
