From Cologne to Chicago — A Global Thread of Creativity

At the heart of the global craft industry stands Koelnmesse GmbH, one of the world’s largest and most respected trade fair organizers. For nearly 100 years, Koelnmesse has connected industries and communities across borders from its home base in Cologne, Germany.

In 2002, Koelnmesse Inc. was established in the U.S. to extend this global network and bring international opportunities to North American markets. That mission came to life in the needlecraft sector with the introduction of h+h cologne—Europe’s leading trade fair for handicrafts + hobbies, hosting thousands of buyers and makers from around the globe.

In 2022, Koelnmesse Inc. launched h+h americas in Rosemont, Illinois, bringing the spirit and success of Cologne to North America. Today, h+h americas is the fastest-growing handicraft trade show on the continent, uniting retailers, designers, educators, influencers, and manufacturers across the entire spectrum of quilting, knitting, crochet, sewing, fiber arts, and needlecrafts.

To further strengthen the maker movement, Koelnmesse Inc. introduces a bold addition in 2026: the Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival. This new event opens the doors to the public, welcoming passionate crafters, guilds, consumers, and communities to shop, learn, and connect directly with the brands and creatives they love.

Together, h+h americas and the Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival offer a 360° platform—from B2B to B2C, from wholesale to workshops, from community to commerce—rooted in the tradition of Quilt Market, reimagined for the future.

This is more than a trade fair—it’s the future of crafting.