Events | CHA PaperArts 2014 Atlanta [Details]
The Craft & Hobby Association held two webinars last week to share the details of their planned PaperArts show in Atlanta in July with members. What follows are the details of the show as shared with members in the two webinars.
The show is designed to fill the void for the scrapbooking market that was left when the CHA Summer show was discontinued, to give them a marketplace and promotional opportunity for the all-important holiday products released in the second half of the calendar year.
CHA PaperArts 2014 is scheduled to take place from July 29th-31st, 2014 at the Hilton Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. July 29th is a workshop day, with the exhibit floor being open on the 30th and 31st.
Hilton Atlanta
During the webinars, CHA staff members stressed that plans for the hotel-based show will be very different from the previous CHA convention center shows. They repeatedly described the event as "casual" and stressed that the event will be focused on transactional and product education events - a "buying and learning" show. There will be no business seminars - all education events will be hands-on workshops.
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
According to CHA staff, the location of Atlanta was chosen based on the locations of other events hosted by the association in 2013-2014. They also referenced the large segment of buyers in the southeast and Atlanta's proximity to attendees - 80% of the U.S. population is within a two hour flight of Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson airport (ATL), which serves 250,000 passengers daily as the world's busiest airport. From Hartsfield-Jackson, flights depart to 150 U.S. destinations, and 75 international destinations in 50 countries. For those who prefer to carry more than 3oz of shampoo with them when they travel, 60% of the U.S. population is within a day's drive of Atlanta.
What is CHA PaperArts 2014?
Tuesday, July 29th, will feature workshops from 8am-6pm while exhibitor set-up is going on. That will be followed at 6:30pm by a welcome reception that takes place in the actual exhibit hall.
The exhibit hall will open at 9am on Wednesday, July 30th, and remain open until 5pm. A continental breakfast (included in registration fees) will be available to exhibitors and attendees from 8am-9am, and from 12:30-2:00pm a "heavy break" (snacks large enough to replace lunch) will be served as well.
A networking and demo event is scheduled on Wednesday evening from 6:30pm-10pm.
Thursday, July 31st, the exhibit hall will be open from 9am-3pm, followed by exhibitor move out. The meal service schedule will be the same as Wednesday.
One intriguing new concept being floated by the CHA staff for the PaperArts show is the allowing of "cash and carry" sales by exhibitors, enabling them to bring sample packs of new lines and close-out inventory to the show for cash sales to buyers on the show floor. Such a rule would also possibly allow the sale of booth display inventory and samples if a company did not wish to ship them home.
For Attendees:
One of the key differences of the Paperarts show will be on the attendee side. The show is being described as "buyer only". Only attendees who can qualify as buyers through the provision of a reseller certificate will be admitted, along with qualified members of the media. No designers or non-exhibiting manufacturers will be admitted.
In addition, there will be a registration fee for attending the event, which will be $195 for CHA members. The registration fee will include:
a promotional gift bag valued at at least $195
continental breakfast on the exhibit days
"heavy breaks" at noon time on exhibit days (snacks that are heavy enough to serve as a meal)
networking event with food service and make & takes/samples
welcome reception with food service
In addition to the registration fee, there will be nominal fees for attending workshops.
For Exhibitors
There will be some big (or should I say small?) differences for exhibitors, as well. A concerted effort is being made to keep costs down for the event. Only approximately 140 8x10 booths will be available at the show, and exhibitors will be limited to purchasing three booths unless they are a title sponsor of the show. Title sponsors can have an "island" space as part of their package (contact CHA if you are interested).
Booths will cost $995 for an 8x10 booth. This fee includes the registration for two staff members in each 8x10 space (two booths, for instance would come with 4 staff registrations). Additional staff registrations cost $100/person. Furniture rental is available. Drayage will cost $61/100lbs, but hand carrying and the use of luggage carts is allowed. No priority points are being used for the PaperArts show - booth registration will be first come, first served.
Accommodations
The Hilton Atlanta is offering a special "Book the Block" package in conjunction with CHA that offers rooms at $126/night for single or double occupancy for buyers. The package includes:
Free internet
2 free waters daily
Discounted self parking (regularly $22/day)
10% off food at some hotel outlets
$50 shop the show credit
The "shop the show" credit, one per room, is a $50 voucher good for buyers to use against an order at any vendor at the show. CHA will reimburse the vendors for the credit after the show, but the vendors are being encouraged by CHA to offer a match to the credit. Lists of vendors matching the credit will be publicized by CHA.
The Book the Block package rate is also available for exhibitors, minus the "shop the show" credit.
CHA is also working with local restaurants and attractions to arrange show discounts.
