State of the Industry Panel

A conversation with Nicholas Bertram, Erin Love, Natalie Thomas, and Jason Zhao

Moderated by Abby Glassenberg

h+h americas and Craft Industry Alliance are excited to announce the speakers participating in h+h americas’ 2026 State of the Industry Panel!

Abby Glassenberg, Co-Founder and President of Craft Industry Alliance, will guide an insightful discussion featuring Nicholas Bertram, President and Chief Operating Officer, Michaels; Natalie Thomas, Designer, Detroit Knots; Erin Love, Owner, Firecracker Fabrics; and Jason Zhao, Chief Operating Officer, Kearing. Together, they will break down the key challenges craft businesses are facing right now, explain where new growth opportunities are emerging, and share practical, experience-based strategies you can apply to better understand and prepare for what’s ahead in the industry.

What challenges and opportunities are craft businesses facing today? And what will tomorrow bring?  You’ll learn about developing trends, forecasts, and future outlooks for craft businesses, and leave with a global view of the crafts industry. We are all connected, from new businesses to established companies, from large corporations to independent makers, and this discussion will set the tone for what the show and the coming year will bring.

Let’s meet our panelists!

Nicholas Bertram

President and Chief Operating Officer, Michaels

Nicholas Bertram joined Michaels as President and Chief Operating Officer in April 2025. A purpose-driven leader with more than 20 years of experience in the retail and grocery industries, Nick oversees Stores, services, Artistree, and the real estate division. He most recently served as CEO of Flashfood, a digital marketplace focused on reducing food waste through affordable grocery solutions. Prior to that, he was President of The GIANT Company, a subsidiary of Ahold Delhaize, where he led strategic growth and transformation initiatives in merchandising, operations, and corporate strategy. Earlier in his career, Nick held leadership roles at Walmart in operations, human resources, and innovation. Nick holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Eastern Kentucky University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Natalie Thomas

Natalie Thomas, Designer, Detroit Knots

Natalie had been a crochet designer since 2016 and teaching since 2020. Most notably she has taught at Vogue Knitting Online, Knitting Live in NYC and created a Tunisian Crochet masterclass for Season X of Knit Stars.

Natalie specializes in designs with high impact but that are approachable. She believes that you are only limited to what you limit yourself to. Over the years she has perfected her craft, taking the time to improve her skills and learn new ones to elevate crochet design. She is currently working with GoSadi, a new platform for the fiber arts community, connecting designers to makers through productivity and community.

Jason Zhao

Chief Operating Officer, Kearing

Mr. Jason Zhao is the Founder and CEO of Kearing, a pioneering manufacturer in the handcraft industry specializing in sewing and quilting tools. He leads an in-house R&D team and a medium-sized, innovation-driven factory, committed to advancing the industry through continuous innovation and uncompromising quality.

Erin Love

Owner, Firecracker Fabrics

Erin Love is the owner of Firecracker Fabrics, an independent fabric shop in Pittsburgh specializing in modern apparel fabrics and sewing essentials. Through her work, she shares insights into the textile industry and the realities of running a small creative business.