Are you planning to attend trade shows or conferences in 2024? If you are not, why not? We have always been believers that you need to find your community. Those people that will be able to support you through the good times and the tough times.
If you are struggling to justify making time to attend trade shows or conference this year, we want to challenge your thinking. If you are going to say it is about the cost, we have answers for that below too- as not all shows are expensive.
We will highlight both 5 reasons to attend trade shows, and 5 shows you can consider attending. Here are 5 reasons why you should strongly consider attending trade shows and conferences:
Break out of day to day isolation and monotony
Does it ever feel like the day to day gets to be a grind? One day slides to the next and you get so busy in your routine that you lose all sense of time. And over time, you can get lost in the work and lose your inspiration- that very magical thing that is the heartbeat of your company. One of the best ways to break out of this and to change your scenery. Going to something new and interesting will add a little zip back to your step- we promise.
Meet like minded individuals
Share with other business owners- often you will find other business owners may have the same challenges that you do.
It’s important to surround yourself with some people that think like you do. Many small business owners wish they had stronger networks- this is a great way to build yours.
Get new creative ideas
When you go to trade shows and conferences, it provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with other people. But more importantly, it gives you an amazing space and time to crowdsource solutions to your trickiest business problems.
My first trade show since buying Handmade Seller and re-launching the magazine was at the H+H America’s conference in Rosemont, IL last year. I was eager to gather feedback on the content in the magazine, so I got a couple of sample magazines printed at my local Fedex store. We had two total copies of the magazine with us at that show, and we protected them like they were gold.
When we would show the magazine to artisans, the feedback was amazing. When I showed it to retailers- they asked who they could get their wholesale subscription from. It was a resounding- where do I buy this? How do I buy a subscription?
I was not prepared for this. These were sample magazines! While I gathered content feedback, I learned a lot from showing the magazine to both retailers and artisans. The best part- no one looks down on you for not knowing. Many many people at these shows want to help. And how nice is it to think about someone else’s problems for a change? As a magazine, we started printing because of the feedback we received at this show
Create new business connections for collaborations
A friend of mine once said, “business moves at the speed of trust.” How do you find new partners or companies to collaborate with if you never get out and meet people?
It takes time to build relationships. So many people complain about how transactional our world has become. Is it that way for your business? If you are genuinely build a business for the long run, you will need to figure out how and when to invest in that.
We can say a number of our collaborations of the last year grew out of the relationships we established at trade shows. We find many new ideas and approaches at these shows.
Discover innovative products/new services
Researching products and watching videos to try to find out if you want to use a product gets pretty boring after a while. You can’t touch or feel things in a video.
When you attend shows, it’s like a playground of new and interesting products. It’s an opportunity to talk right to many of the people that design and make the products you use. It’s also a great place to talk with fellow artisans and learn about what products/services they use.
What shows are out there? How do I know if I will like it?
A common thing we hear from many people is that trade shows can be a little boring and maybe they just don’t feel so relevant. We reached out to some of our show/conference organizers and asked them how they are ensuring that the trade shows/conferences of today are staying relevant.
We are including information on five trade shows/conferences that you can consider along with links to the shows so you can see if they are a fit for you and your business needs.
Trade shows and conferences will come at a variety of price points. Two of the options we discuss you can attend for either free or nearly free ($1). So no excuses!
Click on any of the options to get an overview of the show. For some show’s we’ve even included feedback from previous attendees.
h+h America’s- May 1-3rd, 2024 Rosemont Illinois, USA
We asked Darrin Stern of h+h America’s these questions:
How are you designing your trade shows to include visually appealing elements that draw in attendees?
The show’s design is centered around fun and creativity, with elements that inspire and engage visitors. As soon as you enter the exhibit center, you’ll be greeted by an engaging entrance art display, a fashion boulevard designed to inspire, and a cosplay display showcasing creative uses of materials. The exhibitors’ creativity is also noteworthy, as their booth displays always create a buzz. We’ve designed the event to provide a conducive learning environment, with opportunities for individuals to engage with one another, relax, and be inspired.
How are you designing either educational content or events at your trade shows to encourage attendees to engage with each other?
h+h americas is an event that offers various opportunities for individuals to engage and make the most of it. This year’s event will feature community meetups organized by individuals from around the industry. Additionally, daily social happy hours will be hosted to allow the community to engage in a social environment while learning. The program will offer masterclasses, an interactive contact creator summit, a product academy, a hands-on learning lab, an inspirational fashion show, a cosplay show, and thoughtful discussions on our mainstage. These programs, along with innovative activities from our exhibitors, will produce an engaging, lively, fun, and worth-attending event. H+H Americas is for everyone to enjoy and benefit from!
Please note: h+h also runs a very large trade/show conference in Europe. h+h Cologne is from March 22nd-March 24th, 2024 and can be found here:
What's it really like?
Lynette Newby @Lynette.Crochetqueen shared her experiences at h+h america’s last year:
“Last year was my second year in my craft business and I had experienced several struggles, so I decided to attend H+H to see if I could learn some valuable tools, techniques and tips to apply to my business and help me better prepare for future obstacles or hurdles.
I specifically focused on how to use Facebook ads and social media in general to engage more customers. The information that I learned was invaluable with many tips and tricks coming from other attendees as well as the instructors. The engagement and sharing of ideas with other like minded craft industry professionals set the stage for me to attend again this year.”
We also have a special deal for you- you can register for this show for Free! This event is a wholesale event open to all making a living through crafts. Click our link for a free registration.
Craftcation- April 3rd-7th, Ventura, California, USA
We asked Nicole Stevenson from Dear Handmade Life about this year’s Craftcation conference. Here is what she shared:
How are you designing either educational content or events at your show to encourage attendees to engage with each other?
At our conference, Craftcation we prioritize attendees connecting with each other through limiting our workshop sizes and lots of social activities for all types of interests including a meet-up for introverts and first-time attendees, a board game hang out as well as a dance party and a Live crafting competition. We strive to have social activities for everyone! We also have an ambassador program and part of the ambassadors duties are to help new attendees and those who might need a little extra encouragement when it comes to connecting.
What kind of adjustments have you made post covid to encourage connection?
One of the things we did post-Covid to help people feel more comfortable connecting was to offer what we call comfort pins. There are three pins, a green one with an illustration of two people hugging, a yellow one with two people shaking hands and a red one with two people talking at a distance. When attendees arrive they can opt to wear one of the buttons to signify their level of comfort. This helps people connect by bypassing some of the awkwardness of explaining what type of interactions they’re comfortable with. We also have created more events for attendees to connect in smaller groups.
What's it really like?
Want to hear from a previous attendee about this conference? Here is what Paige Muegenburg shared with us:
“Craftcation is like an insanely fun, crafty summer camp for adults…where you also learn business skills! It is truly magical. When you walk through those doors, it feels like you’ve entered a creative wonderland just buzzing with positive energy. I have learned so much from all the amazing classes I’ve taken, and I could go on and on about my favorite events, like Wanderings, an evening where you wander through the immersive art experiences that Craftcationers have created in their hotel rooms.
But the thing that really keeps bringing me back is the community. The first year I attended, it felt like I’d finally found my tribe. There is nothing like being around hundreds of fun, creative, quirky, passionate women who are just like you! And there are so many successful and truly inspiring female creative business owners who are open to sharing their skills, knowledge and support. It was really this community that inspired me to embark on my own creative journey: I took my first silversmithing class at Craftcation, and now just a few years later I’ve started my own jewelry business.
I would have never had the skills, and more importantly the courage to fulfill this dream without Craftcation. I’ve also made lifelong friends! If you are even considering attending, absolutely go for it. No matter what stage your business is in, I guarantee it will be a truly fun and life-changing experience.”
Creativation by NAMTA- March 23rd-27th, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
How are you designing either educational content or events at your show to encourage attendees to engage with each other?
At our conference, Craftcation we prioritize attendees connecting with each other through limiting our workshop sizes and lots of social activities for all types of interests including a meet-up for introverts and first-time attendees, a board game hang out as well as a dance party and a Live crafting competition. We strive to have social activities for everyone! We also have an ambassador program and part of the ambassadors duties are to help new attendees and those who might need a little extra encouragement when it comes to connecting.
What kind of adjustments have you made post covid to encourage connection?
One of the things we did post-Covid to help people feel more comfortable connecting was to offer what we call comfort pins. There are three pins, a green one with an illustration of two people hugging, a yellow one with two people shaking hands and a red one with two people talking at a distance. When attendees arrive they can opt to wear one of the buttons to signify their level of comfort. This helps people connect by bypassing some of the awkwardness of explaining what type of interactions they’re comfortable with. We also have created more events for attendees to connect in smaller groups.
We have an entire article on all the changes and updates NAMTA has made to their show. See that article here.
Next up we have two brand new events debuting this year for you to check out.
Increase! Crochet Business Summit- April 10th-12th, Aurora, Colorado, USA
We talked with Pam Grice, the creative force behind first first Crochet business summit. We wanted to learn more about how she has designed the summit. Here is what she shared:
How are you designing either educational content or events at your show to encourage attendees to engage with each other?
“Our conference emphasizes engagement and collaboration through a mix of interactive formats. Small group breakout sessions combine teaching and hands-on implementation, fostering active participation and feedback. Panel discussions further encourage attendees to share their wisdom, stepping into community leader roles. Additionally, informal gatherings like Sip n’ Stitches evenings and a game room offer relaxed networking opportunities, enhancing the overall learning experience and community building.”
How are you designing your show to encourage and foster connection between attendees?
“To foster meaningful connections between attendees at our event, we are initiating the networking process well in advance. Attendees will be grouped into smaller cohorts and given access to private Facebook groups, allowing them to begin interacting and forming bonds before the event. During the conference, we will allocate dedicated time for these groups to meet in person, share insights, and discuss implementation strategies, enhancing the collaborative learning experience. Additionally, our schedule includes various networking sessions, meet-and-greets, and niche meetups, specifically designed to facilitate personal introductions, collaborative planning, and the establishment of lasting professional relationships. This approach is geared towards creating a supportive community atmosphere that extends beyond the duration of the event.”
Indie Sellers Guild - April 13th-14th- Virtual Convention
We talked with Chiarra Lohr. the Executive Director of Indie Sellers Guild about their upcoming virtual conference. Here is what she shared:
Why did you decide to pursue having your first convention virtually?
“We decided to have our first convention virtually, and a mix of pre-recorded videos in addition to live panels and presentations, because that is much more inclusive and accessible for people to attend. Not only do we have attendees in time zones ranging from the US, to the UK, to Australia, but we know people are busy, have disabilities, have childcare demands, or just different levels of interest in participating.
By having a mix of live events that will be recorded for viewing later, pre-recorded videos, and ongoing forums throughout the weekend of the event, we offer several ways for people to attend and engage however works best for them.”
Interested in a subscription to the magazine?
Interested in a digital or print subscription to our quarterly magazine? Or are you interested in reading back issues of the magazine?
