Are you ready to meet the new h+h University?

Previous iterations of h+h University divided our five educational categories into completely separate tracks, preventing interaction between attendees from different tracks. We revamped h+h University for h+h americas 2026 to follow a university model. If h+h americas is a college campus, h+h University is the space where different majors study, but still meet in the commons for communal activities.

Occurring over a single, pre-show day, the new h+h University creates a more cohesive event to unify the crafts community, while still providing a focused, curated educational experience for each of the five categories. It’s important to note that, like the university model, attendees can explore classes “outside their major.” While each educational track offers a selection of classes crafted for their specialty, h+h University attendees can choose to mix and match classes for an interdisciplinary educational experience best suited to their needs. 

For instance if you’re a brick-and-mortar retailer who also teaches courses inside and outside your shop, you might benefit from mixing classes from the Brick-and-Mortar Retailer track and the Designers and Teachers track. If you’re a designer who also maintains a robust following on social media as a creator, you might choose to mix and match classes across the Designers and Teachers track and the Creators track. 

Let’s review the communal experiences all tracks will share at h+h University. We designed these experiences to unite the diverse communities present at h+h University, generate connections, and support deeper networking.

h+h University launches with a morning meet & greet, with all five educational tracks gathering for a breakfast welcome reception at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. 

Attendees will pick up their credentials and bonus swag and gather for a light breakfast together. This is the time to review schedules and start mingling with other h+h University attendees across all educational tracks. 

After breakfast, h+h University attendees will break off into their separate tracks to take their first class. As noted, this class may follow your chosen track, or be mixed in from a different track. 

Classes at h+h University are immersive intensives with leading experts in the craft industry. They are designed to equip attendees with practical, actionable strategies to support business practices and bolster future efforts across various fields, from marketing to point-of-sales to data analytics, social content strategy, and more.

After the first class, h+h University attendees will break and gather together once again for an afternoon lunch. Lunch will include fun social activities like trivia games and door prizes to encourage interactions and give attendees a breather between classes. This is a great time to deepen connections formed in the earlier part of the day and dive deeper into the subject of morning classes with fellow attendees.

After lunch, h+h University attendees will break off for their second class of the day. Again, this intensive, 1.5-hour class may follow attendees’ chosen track, or mix in a class from a secondary track.

After the final class of the day, h+h University attendees have the option to participate in rigorous small-group discussions called Think Tanks. 

Led by h+h University mentors, Think Tanks provide a structured, supportive space for attendees to share their challenges and experiences with the group to generate new ideas and guidance. Think Tank groups will brainstorm together to help devise strategies and solutions, and share ideas. During Think Tanks, attendees will digest what they’ve learned at h+h University and set reasonable, actionable goals that can be enacted immediately.

The Show Floor Preview gives attendees exclusive early access to the show floor before it officially opens. An h+h americas team member will guide attendees on a walkthrough of the show floor to highlight key areas and make navigation easier once the show opens. h+h americas covers a whopping 68,000-square-feet of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, so strategizing attendance is very important!

Brand Speed Dating is a networking opportunity where attendees can connect with featured brands in a fast-paced, highly interactive environment. Brand Speed Dating gives attendees exclusive early access to the brands at h+h americas before the show officially opens. During brand Speed Dating, attendees will have timed, one-on-one sessions with brand leaders to quickly evaluate potential partnerships. This is a great opportunity to make introductions and lay the foundation for strong connections in the future.

h+h University closes with the Happy Hour & Creator Event, where attendees will gather with brands, media, and creators for a fun event that blends light education, networking, and hands-on activities designed to deepen connections and inspire the crafting community. 

Select brands will host short, engaging presentations to tell their brand stories and highlight product lines. Attendees can network with brands and creators to establish deeper associations for truly authentic collaborations. The event includes make & take activations for light crafting opportunities in a lounge-style environment that encourages conversations and connections. 

Ready to explore the five h+h University tracks and classes?