AFCI Creativation 2019 Conference Schedule Preview

Conference registration is now open for Creativation 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona from January 17th-21st, 2019, and you won't want to miss out on the creative and business offerings on the schedule!

Creativation logo

[This is a sponsored post for AFCI, but views are entirely the author’s own.]

The Creativation 2019 conference schedule is more jam-packed with education than I ever remember it being, with over 100 workshops and seminars for attendees to choose from. One highlight of the workshop program is the addition of the track for Calligraphy, which is experiencing a recent resurgence. The program also features a strong emphasis on social media and marketing skill development for industry business owners of all types. Check out just some of the highlights below! (Visit the Creativation website for the full show schedule.)

Thursday - January 17th

Perhaps the most unique session offered at Creativation 2019 on Thursday is the Spellbinders-sponsored appearance of renowned calligrapher Paul Antonio. His 2:30pm session on "3000 Years of the Western Alphabet" [S107] promises to be both an amazing demonstration of calligraphy and a fascinating tour through history.

AFCI attendees wanting to learn more about managing their social media have two stellar options to choose from on Thursday: a Pinterest session by Jennifer Priest at 3pm [S103] and a Facebook session by Marie Segares at 12:30pm [S101]. And for retailers, Gwen Bortner's 3pm session on "Creating an Open-to-Buy Report" [S104] is a must-do session on a critical (and often misunderstood) topic.

For those looking for creative sessions, there's plenty papercrafting-related to choose from. Graphic 45 is back with another of their popular album classes [W116 at 4pm] and PaperArtsy has two mixed media workshops [W102, W116]. Art Impressions will be teaching how to create a trendy watercolor look with markers in their workshop taught by Kate Swanson and Bonnie Krebs [W110 at 3pm]. And speaking of trends, if you haven't learned yet how to do the ultra-trendy gel plate printing...Gel Press will teach you how to do that in their two beginner sessions on Thursday [W105, W111].

Friday - January 18th

On Friday the lawyers are in the house at Creativation, bringing attendees sessions on important topics for creative businesses! Kiffanie Stahle will be presenting sessions on Defeating Copycats [S214 @ 11:30am] and the new GDPR in Europe [S203 @ 8am]. Tammy Browning-Smith will educate attendees on FTC disclosure rules for sponsorships & endorsements [S213 @ 11am] and the legalities of selling online [S227 @ 3:30pm].

Perennial favorites Kizer & Bender will be back at Creativation 2019 with two sessions for retailers on Friday [S209 @ 9:30am, S221 @ 2pm]. Business expert Lindsay Anvik is offering several seminars to retailers as well: Apps for Retailers [S208 @ 9:30am] and Sell More Through Wow Merchandising [S228 @ 4pm]

Ranger is offering a full slate of workshops on Friday at Creativation 2019 featuring Tim Holtz, Wendy Vecchi, Dyan Reavely, and Dina Wakley. But there's plenty else to love for papercrafting and mixed media industry attendees. Rising star Catherine Pooler will be kicking off the day with an 8am Ink Techniques workshop [W203].  49 & Market is pairing with The Dusty Attic for a layout techniques workshop with their vintage look products [W203 @ 1pm]. And Kelly Marie Alvarez & Jenn Shurkus will be teaching trendy interactive cardmaking for Lawn Fawn at 4:30pm [W226].

Creativation 2017

Saturday - January 19th

The Creativation Stage will feature some great sessions on Saturday afternoon at Creativation 2019. Lindsay Anvik will start the day with her talk about "Email Marketing is Not Dead" at noon [S301], followed by Anna Ebert talking about "Social Media Time Savers" at 1:15pm [S302].  At 2pm, Terina Nicole and Nneka Mosley will take on "The Evolution of A Creative Career" [S303] while Kaylee Pope of Prime Publishing will be discussing content writing at 3pm [S304].

On the creative side, cardmakers won't want to miss the Layered Cards class at noon Saturday from stamp company Pink & Main [W302]. And mixed media fans will really get into "Rustic Shabby Chic" using Gelatos with Mou Saha & Faber-Castell at 3pm [W307].

Sunday - January 20th

Sunday afternoon another speaker series will take over the Creativation Stage. Kaylee Pope of Prime Publishing opens it up at 11:30am with her session on Email Newsletters [S401]. At 1pm, Sakura follows with what is certain to be a thought-provoking session on "Why Cursive Handwriting Matters In A Digital Age" [S402]. At 2pm, Mark Hill and Keri Cunningham from AFCI will present AFCI's latest Creative Products Size of Industry Study findings to show attendees [S403]. Finally, Arkon Mounts will close out the series with a presentation on how to improve the quality of craft demonstration videos [S404].

Stampers have plenty to choose from on the Sunday class schedule. Paper Artsy is offering two workshops (taught by Sara Naumann and Tracy Scott, respectively) to create mixed media projects. Art nerds will definitely want to check out Marabu's 3pm class where attendees will create a Kandinsky-inspired mixed media work [W405].

Creativation 2017 New Product Showcase

Creativation 2017 New Product Showcase

Special Events at Creativation

If you are a new to Creativation, you won't want to miss the free Newcomer's Welcome Session on Thursday evening from 5pm-6pm. Host Jason Baum (AFCI Director of Membership) will share with new attendees everything that you need to know about how to have a successful show at Creativation.

Who says Creativation has to be all work and no play? On Friday night, show attendees can get down to some music and win prizes at the free Show Party [E205] from 6pm to 9pm. (And you can even do some networking while you have fun too!) Before you go to the party, be sure to check out the popular New Product Networking Event from 4:30pm to 6pm. [E204]

If you are an AFCI member who likes to keep your finger on the pulse of the organization, you definitely won't want to miss the annual business meeting and town hall event on Monday morning at 7:30am. It's a chance to hear the Executive Team and Board of Directors talk about future plans for AFCI, and also to share your feedback with them.

Don't miss out on your top choices of sessions and workshops...register now for Creativation 2019!