Jun 16, 2011

Dozens Of New Exhibitors Sign On For CHA 2011 Summer Show

ELMWOOD PARK, NJ. – The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) announces more than 30 new exhibitors have recently joined nearly 200 of the industry’s leading companies to participate in the CHA 2011 Summer Conference & Trade Show at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. from July 18-21, 2011. CHA also announces two pavilions, Craft Fusion and New Exhibitors, will be new additions to the Summer Show, giving attendees opportunities to connect with thousands of products in diverse categories.

The Craft Fusion Pavilion highlights mixed media, which is combining different craft materials in innovative and non-traditional ways, resulting in intriguing art, unique gifts, spectacular fashion and other handicrafts. This Pavilion will also include a Craft Fusion Center with many business-boosting activities, a mixed-media fashion display and an attendee lounge for networking and socializing. The Pavilion will host a new “Minute-to-Craft-It, Mixed-Media Challenge,” which will be held daily and feature Show attendees crafting and competing for prizes from leading industry manufacturers. This Pavilion will also display winning projects from the Show’s “Crafty Couture CHA Designer Competition.”

“This summer’s mixed-media theme ties perfectly to Faber-Castell’s new Design Memory Craft line of Mix & Match products,” said Jamie Gallagher, CEO, Faber-Castell USA. “We are excited CHA is also in tune with this growing audience and pleased to be a part of this exciting community.”

With such a heighten awareness of new and emerging trends in the industry, CHA will highlight its new exhibitors at the Summer Show in a special New Exhibitor Pavilion. This Pavilion will be “the place” to meet new exhibitors such as The Ohio Art Company, Brainogami, CraftWork Cards and 30 others. By offering the New Exhibitor Pavilion, attendees will have a much easier time identifying new vendors, new products and unique opportunities to do business.

“We are thrilled to be participating in the CHA Show for the very first time,” said Martin Killgallon, III, senior vice president of marketing and product development, The Ohio Art Company. “We see the Show as the perfect opportunity to reach new and growing retailers with our Etch A Sketch® and Nanoblock® lines.”

To learn more about the upcoming CHA 2011 Summer Conference & Trade Show, including a complete schedule of all programs and events, exhibitor listings, travel discounts and other key Show highlights, visit www.chashow.org. Online registration is now open.

About the Craft & Hobby Association

The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) is an international not-for-profit trade association consisting of thousands of member companies engaged in design, manufacture, distribution and retail sales of products worldwide in the $29 billion U.S. craft and hobby industry. For more information about CHA, membership or its award-winning CHA Conferences & Trade Shows, visit www.craftandhobby.org.