h+h americas 2024 cemented the show as the must-attend event for the craft industry. We’ve grown both our attendee and exhibitor audience year over year since launching in 2022, and created more educational and inspirational content and networking opportunities to help nurture craft professionals and businesses both in the US and abroad. 

h+h americas 2024 boasted 50% more exhibitors, with 402 total vendors. We welcomed 3,831 professionals from 41 countries and all 50 U.S. states. While last year our combined social media received just under 5 million engagements, this year engagement reached a staggering 17 million viewers. Using the social listing tool BrandMentions.com, we found that #hhamericas reached 11.5 million people and received over 50k interactions. Our level of engagement grows exponentially each year, which speaks to the strength and reach of h+ americas. 

We’ve expanded the show to more fully represent the diversity of the crafting industry. This year we offered 120 educational events, a Fashion Show, and the new Cosplay Contest to showcase the incredible artistry of our community makers. The h+h americas showroom featured several art exhibits, including the Nowhere Collective’s LOOM360 community-activated live art project, quilt exhibits from Studio Art Quilt Associates and FreeSpirit Fabrics & Hoffman Fabrics, our new NexGen spotlight on emerging young artists, and Fashion Boulevard. 

The one note we keep hearing from attendees propels us to help our community strategize for h+h americas 2025: “There’s so much to see and do, you have to attend the entirety of the show to pack it all in. Come with a plan!”

Do you have comments and questions for us? Join us on Monday, May 13, 2024 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm CT for the h+h americas 2024 Aftershow on h+h connect. 

Abby Glassenberg of  Craft Industry Alliance and Darrin Stern of h+h americas will lead a lively discussion recapping the highlights of this year’s show. Attendees will also get a sneak peek into what’s coming in 2025, and have the chance to help us shape next year’s event. Add the h+h americas Aftershow to your calendar now! For those who can’t attend, be sure to check h+h connect later in the week to watch the recording.

We’re also hosting two Community Roundtable sessions this month. Join us to let us know what you loved about h+h americas 2024 and what you’d like to see next year. 

Our Exhibitor Roundtable is on May 22 at 11:30 am CT.

Our Attendee Roundtable is on May 29 at 11:30 am CT. 

Now, here are some highlights from h+h americas 2024!

This year’s show featured a new photo opportunity: the stunning Own Your Craft Quilt courtesy of FreeSpirit Fabrics and Renaissance Ribbons. 

Craft Industry Alliance created The Golden Scissors to recognize individuals and businesses who have offered outstanding leadership and innovation over the past year.  Elizabeth Okeyele-Olatunji of Tunnizze Creation (top left) won the Emerging Leader Award; Ali Pate of Road Trip Sock Yarn (top right) won the Sustainability Award; Allyson Allen of Quilted Pages (bottom right) won the Social Impact Award; Warren Wheelock of Berroco Yarn (bottom middle) won the Lifetime Achievement Award; and Masey Kaplan and Jen Simonic of Loose Ends Project (bottom left) won the Innovation Award.

Before the show opened, and after:

The Sustainable Practices for Craft Businesses session on the Main Stage:

Trailhead Company’s S’Mores Time waiting for visitors.

This year Koelnmesse celebrated 100 years of bringing people and markets together. Of course, there was cake!

Crafters participating in a Learning Lab product demonstration.

Quilts from the Hoffman Fabrics Quilt Exhibit:

Quilts from the FreeSpirit Fabric Quilt Exhibit:

Our Cosplay Competition and Fashion Show was a huge success. The creativity and craftsmanship on display was of the highest quality: 

These quilts are just some of the pieces featured in the Studio Arts Quilt Associates’ “Connections” Exhibit:

Knitters and crocheters made sure to get some stitches in during Main Stage presentations:

This year’s show welcomed Melissa Gilbert, designer of the Modern Prairie product line for Riley Blake and Little House on the Prairie alum. She shared stories about the Americana inspirations and prairie chic style that inspired her new line. 

Crafters hard at work handweaving recycled fabrics into the LOOM360 project from Nowhere Collective:

Some of the quilted and sewn fashion on display:

Some of the knit and crochet fashion on display:

Lots of innovative knit fashions stalked the runway at the Fashion Show:

We had an incredible time at h+h americas 2024 and can’t wait to hear the community’s feedback about the show. Don’t forget to join us on Monday, May 13, 2024 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm CT for the h+h americas 2024 Aftershow on h+h connect. 

And remember to mark your calendars for h+h americas 2025: May 7-9, 2025!