h+h americas 2024 offers even more opportunities for networking, connections, education, and business growth than in previous years. This year’s show includes an all-star lineup of industry leaders hosting events on the main stage—all of which remain free for attendees! The main stage will include opportunities for learning on a range of topics, including social media marketing, product development, sustainability, cosplay, working with content creators, artificial intelligence, and SEO mastery!
Grab your calendar and make note of the following topics and schedule for the h+h americas main stage.
Main Stage Events
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
10:30-11:30 am – Sustainable Practices for Craft Businesses
How can craft business owners work toward reducing environmental impacts, supporting local economies, and promoting our social responsibility toward the earth and each other? In this panel discussion, business owners who have made sustainability a priority in their companies will share what they’ve learned and suggest actions that support people, the planet, and profits.
Panelists: Elise O’Malley, Rheaply, Lauren Venell, Maydel, Chris Hughes, Artifact USA
Moderated by: Katy Osborn, Nowhere Collective
12:00-1:00 pm – Using Social Media to Sell Products and Services Both Locally and Online
Learn how to sell products and services online and locally. Josh will present proven strategies that have helped many sewing and quilting shops increase their visibility and revenue.
Presented by Josh Sutherland, Sew & Vac Media
1:30-2:15 pm – Special Guest: Melissa Gilbert
Designer of the Modern Prairie product line for Riley Blake, Melissa Gilbert channeled her experience as Laura Ingalls Wilder on the cherished television series Little House on the Prairie (“LHOTP”) to create a product line for cottagecore lovers everywhere. From fashion to home design, the product range is a testament to the enduring allure of Americana and prairie chic style, thoughtfully reimagined to cater to the demands of the contemporary world.
Presented by Riley Blake
2:30-3:15 – AI and SEO Harnessing the Power of Tech for Your Creative Business
AI doesn’t have to be a four-letter word when it comes to streamlining your workflow and putting time back into your creativity. In this Q&A learn from gosadi co-founder and crafty coder Michele Costa to push your brand to the top of the pile in search. Join Michele and Samantha of Team gosadi as they tackle common misconceptions and fears, best practices and ethics, and the key to SEO success.
Panelists: Michele Costa and Samantha Brunson, gosadi
3:30-4:15 – In-store Events that Bring in Customers and Profits
Whether it’s an in-store fashion show, craft along, book signing, or class with a famous crafter (in person or via Zoom), we’ll talk about how to dazzle your guests and your customers with your amazing organizational skills and your perfect hosting abilities. Remember, events bring in customers!
Panelists: Cynthia Spencer, Stitch Your Art Out; Laura Rasmussen, 3 Kittens Needle Arts
Moderated by: Patty Lyons
Thursday, May 2, 2024
10:30-11:15 am – 10 Ways to Market and Grow Your Shop
Discover how to optimize your operations, boost customer engagement, and increase revenue. Whether you’re a new shop owner or a seasoned veteran, learn ways to market and grow your shop.
Presented by FabShop News trade magazine
11:30-12:00 pm – Genesis Hall and a New Generation of Quilters
Learn from the next generation in quilting! In this interview, Irina Shaar of the popular YouTube show, Fiberchats, will interview Genesis Hall, a 14-year-old avid quilter known as Genny From the Quilt Block.
12:15-1:00 pm – Creating In-store Special Events that Build Community and Generate Sales
In-store special events build excitement and loyalty among your customers and bring them into your shop to buy. However, hosting a successful event takes planning and coordination. Make the most of your shop anniversary, World Wide Knit in Public Day, or Local Yarn Store Day, etc. by creating special swag, inviting celebrity guests, alerting the media, and collaborating with other local businesses to generate buzz. In this panel discussion, you’ll hear from shop owners who have hosted successful in-store events and come away with actionable ideas.
Panelists: Michelle Bailey, Poppy Quilt and Sew; Andrea Riddle, The Yarn Club
Moderated by: Sunni Scrivner, Yarn
1:15-2:00 pm – How to Buy or Sell a Business
Most entrepreneurs have put at least some thought into how to sell their business eventually. But what steps could you take now to make your business more appealing to future buyers? And how do you prepare your business for a sale? Or maybe you’re interested in potentially buying an existing business. Acquiring a business can give you a running start, but what should you look for and how do you know you’re making a good investment?
Panelists: Tobias Feder, Malabrigo; Mark Hyland, HandiQuilter; Chelsea O’Hayre, Pink Door Fabrics
Moderated by: Amber Christian, Handmade Seller Magazine
2:15-2:45 pm – Digital Advertising 101
Digital ads are an effective tool to help your business rise above the noise of a crowded market space. In this session, we’ll explain ad types like programmatic, geofencing, retargeting, and video pre-roll. Leave with a better understanding of budgets and how to get started.
Presented by Leanne Pressly, Stitchcraft Marketing
Friday, May 3, 2024
10:15-11:00 am – White Labeling to Create Your Own Branded Products
White labeling describes the process of purchasing products produced by another company and branding them to be your own. It’s a strategy that allows you to focus on what you do best, while also offering a larger assortment of specialty products to your customers. How do you find products to white label, and what does the process look like? In this panel discussion, you’ll hear from a variety of businesses with expertise in sourcing, branding, and white-labeling products.
Panelists: Nichole Schneider, Coley International; Marisa Marquez, Brewer; Joy Ercanbrack, Kimberbell
Moderated by: Brint Fanizza, Famore
11:15-12:00 pm – Crafting Your Path to Profit
Join Heidi Kaisand, publisher of Creative Retailer magazine and owner of Hen & Chicks Studio, as she outlines crafting a financial plan that can be tailored for your store. Heidi will share invaluable insights and strategies to ensure cash flow, empowering you to consistently have money in the bank. Learn five actionable tips that will enable you to pay yourself and your bills with confidence.
Presented by: Creative Retailer
12:15-1:00 pm – Today’s Craft Publishing Landscape
Craft books are a vital way for consumers to learn new skills and for authors to share their work with the public. Although the media landscape has radically changed over the last two decades, craft books remain important. Learn how to capture the attention of mainstream publishers, what it takes to self-publish, and different paths to marketing your book. Come away inspired and encouraged to write a craft book.
Panelists: Sandra Korinchak, Schiffer Craft, Karla Overland, Cherrywood Fabrics, Anna Hrachovec, Mochimochi Land
Moderated by: Roxane Certa, C&T Publishing
1:15-2:00 pm – Interweaving Threads: Exploring the Versatility of Knitting and Crochet Yarns for Weaving
Join us as we unravel the innovative ways weavers can leverage knitting and crochet yarns in their craft, and how best to market to this demographic of yarn enthusiasts. This panel discussion will weave together insights from experienced artisans, shedding light on what weavers are actually looking for in a yarn, the real differences between weaving and knitting/crochet yarn properties, and the exciting possibilities that arise when you strip away the “rules” surrounding yarn usage.
Presented by The Handweavers Guild of America
In addition to our main stage events, we encourage attendees to check out the 4 free keynote events planned for the show.
Keynotes
Wednesday, May 1, 8:30-10:00 am
Presentation of the Golden Scissors Awards + State of the Industry Panel Discussion
h+h americas opens with our Keynote State of the Industry Panel Discussion, which includes the first annual Golden Scissor Awards! We created the Golden Scissor Awards to recognize craft businesses who have offered outstanding leadership and innovation in the past year. The Awards will be presented to this year’s chosen recipients live on stage!
The State of the Industry Panel Discussion will review the challenges and opportunities craft businesses face right now, and consider what the future might look like. Learn about developing trends, forecasts, and future outlooks for craft businesses, and come away with a global view of the crafts industry.
Panelists: Toni Lipsey, TL Yarn Crafts; Gina Pantastico, Cloud9; Virginia Johnson, Gather Here; Scott Stone, Gemporia Craft
Moderated by: Abby Glassenberg, Craft Industry Alliance
Thursday, May 2, 8:30-9:30 am
Keynote: Amber Kemp-Gerstel of Damask Love
Amber Kemp-Gerstel began her career as a child psychologist. In 2015, she shifted gears to creating craft content full-time. Since then she learned that her job is as much about crafting as it is about relating and engaging with people. After being on NBC’s Making It, she came to realize that there is truly no creative challenge she can’t take on.
In this keynote address, Amber will dive into the ever-shifting landscape of how creative businesses engage with customers and the incredible value of influencer marketing. Hear anecdotes from brand collaborations and what it’s really like to share DIY content every day with an audience of over 115,000 people.
Friday, May 3, 8:30-10:00 am
Presentation of Craft Industry Consumer Research: Quilting
Quilting Trends is an annual large-scale consumer research study conducted by Premier Needle Arts and Handi Quilter in collaboration with industry partners. Each year 25,000 quilters nationwide respond to survey questions that reveal important behavioral and buying trends. In this summary you’ll learn about the profile of the average quilter today, their buying preferences, and where quilters are turning to learn new skills. Come away with an understanding of the trajectory of the industry in comparison to years past.
Presented by Mark Hyland, Handi Quilter
Friday, May 3, 8:30-10:00 am
Presentation of Craft Industry Consumer Research: Yarn
Yarn Trends is a periodic large-scale consumer research study focused on understanding consumer behavior in the yarn industry. Conducted by Berroco, the study’s findings reveal the overall size of the yarn industry now, the demographics of the average consumer in this sector, and trends in buying behavior. Learn how consumers are learning about new products, where they’re going to learn new skills and more.
Presented by Jan Hurwitz, Berroco
Meetups
Each day of h+h americas includes a selection of meetups designed for networking in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. Learn more about this year’s meetups here and check out the schedule below:
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
12:00-1:00 pm – Canadian Fiberarts Business Owners
This meetup is an opportunity for Canadians to discuss the specificities of being a Canadian business owner in the vast fiberarts world.
Hosted by Julie Desjardins of ACCROchet.
3:00-3:30 pm – S’mores Time
Step into the Great Outdoors exhibit and indulge in sweet treats while enjoying uplifting conversations with your friends.
Hosted by Trailhead Yarns
3:00-4:00 pm – Ecommerce Meetup
Join the Aeolidia, Shopify Experts team for an ecommerce meetup. We will be discussing all things ecommerce, Shopify, and selling wholesale online. Let’s talk about what works and what doesn’t when selling online in 2024.
Speakers: Christine Castro Hughes, Aeolidia; Arianne Foulks, Aeolidia; Helen Hulskamp, Aeolidia
4:00-5:00 pm – Happy Hour
Show Happy Hour held on the Exhibit Floor
Sponsored by Polka Dot Sheep
4:00-5:00 pm – Designer and Creative Maker MeetUp Hosted by Melissa Leapman
Are you a designer, teacher, author, or other creative genius making a living in the needlearts? Join Melissa Leapman and friends for this informal session to network, brainstorm, and contemplate setting the world–and your creative business!–on fire.
Thursday, May 2, 2024
7:30-8:30 am – The National NeedleArts Association (TNNA) Meetup – An Organization Update
Join us for a light breakfast as we talk about TNNA. What direction do we want the association to take? What offerings would you like to see for our members? All are welcome—yarn companies, yarn shops, and designers.
10:00-11:00 am – Special Book Signing with Patty Lyons
11:00 am-12:00 pm – The Knitting Guild Association (TKGA) Meetup
Meet TKGA Executive Director Arenda Holladay and Vice President of Public Relations Donna Estin, plus TKGA members. This meetup is open to all members of TKGA including our long-time members and those who joined today!
1:00-1:30pm – S’mores Time
3:00-3:30pm – S’mores Time
3:00-4:00pm – Teacher / Designer & LYS Owner Meet Up With Patty Lyons, Hilary Cerbin, Michele Costa
Join teacher/designer Patty Lyons, Nina Chicago Owner Hilary Cerbin, and gosadi co-founder Michele Costa for this meet up bringing teachers, designers, & LYS owners together to candidly discuss ways to grow together. Don’t miss this great chance for LYS owners and managers to meet with designers and teachers. We’ll dig into all the possibilities of virtual AND in person ways to incorporate designers, authors and teachers into your store.
4:00-5:00 pm – Show Happy Hour on the Exhibit Floor
Sponsored by: Moda Fabrics + Supplies
5:00-6:00 pm – Video Content Creators Meetup
This is a meetup for online educators of all kinds: makers, suppliers, influencers, and brands who create video content for Youtube, Social Media, or online workshops. Let us facilitate connections between creators and brands or platforms (such as MadeTV) through a series of guided activities/conversations. Share your knowledge, meet new collaborators, get energized about your next project.
Sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching
5:00-6:00 pm – LYSO – Local yarn store owners from Arizona, California, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Southern Nevada, Ohio, Oregon and Washington
A casual gathering of local yarn store owners from Arizona, California, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Southern Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington whose sales reps are Linda McCleland or Stephanie Steinhaus. Share your successes and ideas, ask questions, and gain advice from your colleagues across territories.
All of the above main stage and keynote events and meetups are completely free to attend with a ticket to h+h americas. Get your ticket to h+h americas today!
