News and Trends from International Quilt Market

JANUARY

SPRING QUILT MARKET PORTLAND SEMINAR PRESENTERS

 

 


PEPPER CORY

Pepper is a longtime quiltmaker, author, fabric designer, and general philosopher on the quilt/sewing industry. As a former substance abuse therapist and shop owner (not at the same time, but the subjects are related) she is presently trying to figure out what to do with the next 50 years of her life. She has come to one conclusion: if it's not fun, don't do it.

 

SEMINAR

Deep Work—How Emails, Phone Calls, Twitter, and Facebook
Fragment Our Focus and What to Do About It

Feeling frazzled/fuzzy/always exhausted? Welcome to modern quilt retail! Learn to focus and take back time to regrow your personal creativity. Friday, May 18, 8-9 a.m.

 

 

 

JILL FINLEY

Jill is the owner/designer of Jillily Studio, which produces the popular notions Appli-Glue, Poke-A-Dots, and Perfect Pieces Templates. She also designs fabric for Penny Rose Fabrics and creates quilt patterns and books. Jill is a Master Designer for Aurifil Threads and a BERNINA Ambassador. Teaching and lecturing about her quilt designs and appliqué methods keeps her busy traveling all over the country and hosting retreats. She brings over 20 years of experience to the quilt industry—and loves every minute!

 

SEMINARS

Catching Their Eye—Displays That Sell

Learn how to arrange beautiful, eye-catching displays that will promote sales, and about the impact of visual themes for your store from a Best Booth winner. Saturday, May 19, 6-7 p.m.

 

The Power of the Demo

Learn why demos work, what results you can expect, and how to plan, prepare, advertise, and execute your demos to increase sales. Sunday, May 20, 8-9 a.m.

 

 

 

EBONY LOVE

Ebony, of LoveBug Studios, is an award-winning author, quilter, and expert in fabric die-cutting techniques. She has published more than eight books independently, and uses social media and content platforms to build an engaged community of quilters who are eager to participate in her online and offline events.

 

Using her engineering degrees from Columbia and Purdue University, Ebony has spent the last 15 years building expertise in the areas of technology and marketing, and applying that expertise to grow her business. She works from her studio in Northern Illinois, and you can reach her via her website at LoveBugStudios.com.

 

SEMINARS

Blog Revival—How to Get Your Blog Off Life Support

You started a blog because someone told you it was a good idea, and your last post was sometime in 2012. You haven’t run out of ideas; you just need a plan. Get seven strategies to refocus and relaunch your blog now. Friday, May 18, 6-7 p.m.

 

Pricing for Profitability When Everything is On Sale

Unearth the factors that impact your product pricing, and create a winning formula that enables you to make money without sacrificing your cash to the deal-hunting customer.
Saturday, May 19, 7-8 p.m.

 

 

 

BILLY LOWE

Billy has a 20+ year track record in sales/marketing leadership for global health and beauty brands. He has led countless campaign launches for some of today's top products and eventually landed on the red carpet as a celebrity hair stylist and national beauty expert.  Billy brings a wealth of knowledge and business insight to any presentation opportunity.

 

SEMINAR

Don’t Quit—Quilt!

It’s true the “deal of the day” websites and apps have completely remapped how and where people spend money. The in-person experience seems a thing of the past. If you’re curious about tomorrow’s retail market, how to survive as a brick-and-mortar, and how to engage new and existing clients to return time and time again, spend some time learning tips and tools to keep your quilting business (and passion) alive. Remember that your business is still your business and your passion is still alive! Friday, May 19, 6-7 p.m.

 

 

 

KAREN MONTGOMERY

Karen is the owner of The Quilt Company, a full-service quilt shop located in Allison Park, Pennsylvania, established in 1993.  In addition to her day-to-day duties as a shop owner, Karen designs rulers for Creative Grids and has developed The Quilt Company line of books and patterns.  You may also know Karen as the author of the “Savvy Buying” column in FabShop News or from Sewposium, an annual workshop for shop owners.

 

SEMINAR

What Every Shop Owner Should Know

Learn the answers that will make your stores a consumer favorite by training your staff to provide top-notch education. Thursday, May 17, 6-8 p.m.

 

 

 

TRACY MOONEY

As Senior Editor for Generation Q Magazine, Tracy happily pursues one of her pet passions: teaching children to sew. She designs projects and writes patterns for WeSew2, a feature in Generation Q that teaches kids ages 7-12 how to sew and quilt. She has also been instrumental in creating GenQ’s Cut & Sew Club, a booklet series with sewing projects for kids. Tracy, who has been quilting and sewing for 25+ years, has spent the last year lecturing shop owners about cosplay and can be spotted as a correspondent for “The Quilt Show” with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims.

 

SEMINAR

Kids Really Are Sewing—Get Them In Your Store!

Are you wondering how to get the next generation in your door? Tracy will share tips for implementing a kid’s club and tricks for keeping the kids coming back for more, and will offer curriculum ideas and tips. Saturday, May 19, 8-10 a.m.

 

 

 

BOB NEGEN

Bob founded the Mackinaw Kite Co., a small chain of specialty toy and kite stores, in 1981 when he was only 23 years old. It didn't take long for him to realize that his passion for his product wasn't paying the bills, and he spent the next twenty years learning how to make money in retail.

 

In 1999, he and his wife Susan founded WhizBang! Retail Training to help independents thrive in today's super-competitive market. He is a well-known speaker, author, and co-creator of the acclaimed Retail Mastery System and the new Retail Sales Academy.

 

SEMINARS

Boot Camp—The Five Pillars of Retail Success!

Through this fun, lively, and interactive program, learn proven, practical techniques for creating a profitable store that runs like a dream. You already know about quilting; now learn how to make each of the Five Pillars—Marketing, Leadership and Employee Management, Inventory Management, Creating an Amazing Customer Experience, and Personal Business Skills—work together to increase your sales and free you up to have more fun—a lot more fun!
Wednesday, May 16, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

 

The Productive Quilt Shop Owner

Manage your time, energy, and focus so you can get a lot done and have lots more fun!
Thursday, May 17, 8-10 a.m.

 

 

 

KIM NIEDZWIECKI

Kim started with a sewing blog 10 years ago. In 2012, she began building brands in the sewing and quilting community through social media using techniques that can also benefit your brand. Learn how to build your business with techniques she uses for brands including Aurifil Thread and her own sewing brand, My Go-Go Life.

 

SEMINAR

How to Build Your Shop Social Media on a Shoestring Budget

Learn creative ways to create the look your shop needs for social media platforms without expensive equipment or software! Saturday, May 19, 9-10 a.m.

 

 

 

CHERYL SLEBODA

Cheryl has been an executive in a specialty market retail industry for 20 years. She teaches niche retailers how to grow their businesses through technology. She is also an award-winning art quilter who speaks and teaches to guilds around the country. Cheryl has been featured in magazines, newspapers, and on Quilting Arts TV. She started a new business focused on sewing for cosplayers to get them into independent sewing stores. Follow her adventures at Muppin.com.

 

SEMINARS

Fast Strategies for Your Social Media

Get results without overextending yourself! Explore proven, time-saving methods in this easy-to-follow plan. Perfect for retailers, teachers, and artists. Thursday, May 17, 6-7 p.m.

 

Crush Your Challengers—Strategies for Brick and Mortar in an Online World

In this market, you must know your competition. Understand who they really are and develop a plan to get ahead. Sunday, May 20, 9-10 a.m.

 

 

 

CATHY DONOVAN WAGNER

With over 30 years of experience in retail as both an owner and a consultant, Cathy has the unique position of having worked on both sides of the counter. She has seen firsthand the tremendous benefits that paying attention to your numbers makes. It is what helped her to grow to three stores grossing in excess of 2.5 million dollars. She sold her stores to be able to help other retailers achieve the same success. As The Retail Maven, Cathy helps retailers develop action plans that increase sales, improve cash flow, and create success...and love their life!

 

SEMINARS

Top 10 Tactics to Increase Your Cash Flow

Learn tried and true tactics from a retail expert with over 30 years of experience about how to keep your finances and cash operations flowing smoothly. Thursday, May 17, 9-10 a.m.

 

The Sale That Really Works

Learn exactly how to have the best sale ever—how to move the most product out and put the most cash in your pocket at your next sale. Friday, May 18, 9-10 a.m.

 

 

BACK TO THE TOP »

 

 

 

 

 

UPCOMING SHOWS

2018

International Quilt Market/Portland

May 18-20
Classes begin May 17

Oregon Convention Center

Portland, Oregon, USA

 

International Quilt Market/Houston

November 3-5 (NOTE: LATER DATES)

Classes begin November 1

George R. Brown Convention Center

Houston, Texas, USA

 

 

 

 

 

International Quilt Market/Kansas City

May 17-19
Classes begin May 16

Kansas City Convention Center

Kansas City, Missouri, USA

 

International Quilt Market/Houston

October 26-28

Classes begin October 25

George R. Brown Convention Center

Houston, Texas, USA

 

 

NOTE: Quilt Market is a credentialed
trade show only, and not open to
the public.


For information on these or any other Quilts, Inc. shows, visit www.quilts.com

 

2019

FOLLOW US

Stay up-to-date via social media.

Subscribe to our eInsider Newsletter

©Quintessential Quilt Media, 2018. All rights reserved.

 

7660 Woodway

Suite 550

Houston, Texas 77063

U.S.A.

 

Telephone (1) 713.781.6864

Fax (1) 713.781.8182

e-mail: shows@quilts.com

News and Trends from International Quilt Market