CHA Announces Change To Conference Format in 2011

The Craft & Hobby Association announced today a major change to the format of the trade events it hosts, starting with the upcoming Los Angeles event in January 2011.

Beginning with the January 2011 event, the shows will be renamed from the Craft & Hobby Association Convention & Trade Show to the become the Craft & Hobby Association Conference Trade Show. The new name for the event is a reflection of the new direction being mapped for the shows by CHA, with a larger focus on education and networking than in the past.

Although members are reporting in surveys to CHA that they believe education should be a top priority of the association, 42% of members also report that they have never participated in any CHA education. Schedule conflicts and price are reported in surveys as the common barriers to taking part.

To provide more access to educational options for show attendees, CHA will implement a new conference model starting with the January 2011 show. For a $25 fee (waived for exhibitors), attendees will get unlimited access to all seminars, workshops and special events, including the keynote presentation, welcome reception and international reception.

The trade show floor hours will be altered to allow more flexibility for educational time. The show hours the first three days of the show (Sat/Sun/Mon) will be from 10am to 6pm, allowing more time in the morning for education and networking while still providing a full eight hours of trade show time.

“We believe the new Conference model and Trade Show enhancements are very valuable new benefits to our members,” said Steve Berger, President and CEO of CHA. “They were designed to help all attendees and exhibitors take advantage of as many educational and networking opportunities as possible without the burden of additional costs.”

“Having unlimited access to valuable business education and networking opportunities will provide CHA members with the information and insights they need to successfully navigate challenges and grow their businesses during challenging economic times,” explained Michael McCooey, CHA Board Chair.

For more information on planning for CHA Winter 2011, visit Scrapbook Update's CHA Winter 2011 planning page.