November 2009 Archives

Rosemont to Host the 2010 CHA Summer Show and Craft SuperShow

The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) is pleased to announce the CHA 2010 Summer Convention & Trade Show and the CHA Craft SuperShow will return to the Donald E. Stephens Convention and Conference Center in Rosemont, Illinois after one season in Orlando, Florida. The annual CHA Summer Trade Show will be held from Tuesday, July 27 through Thursday, July 29, followed by the CHA Craft SuperShow consumer event from Friday, July 30 to Saturday, July 31, 2010.

"We are so glad to have CHA back home in Rosemont," explained Christopher R. Stephens, General Manager, Donald E. Stephens Convention and Conference Center. "We look forward to working with CHA and its members to rejuvenate and revitalize the Summer Show and are also very excited to help promote the new Craft SuperShow to the crafters of the greater Chicagoland area."

For more than 30 years Rosemont has hosted the annual CHA Summer Show creating a friendly and familiar venue for CHA and its members. Like many other trade shows, CHA recently faced declines in both trade show attendees and exhibitors due to the sagging economy. After trying several different marketing programs to revive the Show in Rosemont, CHA relocated the Summer Show to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida and launched the CHA Craft SuperShow consumer event in 2009 in efforts to reverse this trend, grow the show, and expand the industry.

The CHA 2009 Summer Show in Orlando attracted about 5,000 trade show attendees with a 5% increase in the number of attending retailers over 2008. Summer Show exhibitors came from 49 different states and Puerto Rico, as well as internationally from countries across South America, Europe, and Africa. Additionally, there were over 50 new exhibitors at the Summer Show. Many who participated felt it was a successful venture despite the recession.

Following the Summer Show, CHA staff started to solicit feedback from exhibitors and the general membership about the experience in Orlando. Based on post-show CHA Summer exhibitor surveys, 50% of respondents preferred Rosemont to Orlando while the other 50% were split among several other venues. CHA hosted several member conference calls in which members commented about a desire to return to Rosemont. Member emails about returning to Rosemont were also sent to CHA staff which drove further discussions on the topic of venue selection for the 2010 Summer Show. Based on the common and recurring theme of returning the Summer Show to Rosemont, CHA contacted representatives from the Donald E. Stephens Convention and Conference Center and successfully negotiated a one-year agreement with options beyond 2010.

"As a member-based organization it is imperative that we listen to our members and develop the most effective approach to accomplishing our common goals and objectives. Developing a practical strategy to grow the Summer Show and expand the industry are high priorities at CHA and are key factors behind the bulk of the decisions we make," explained Steve Berger, president and CEO of CHA. "We are grateful for the creative minds in Orlando who partnered with CHA to develop a successful and meaningful program that helped increase buyer attendance and expand crafting participation with consumers. By working with our partners in Rosemont, we are confident that the Trade Show will grow significantly and the SuperShow will continue to gain momentum becoming an integral part of CHA efforts to expand the craft industry."

To learn more about the upcoming 2010 CHA Summer Convention & Trade Show or the CHA Craft SuperShow, please contact Anthony Licata, 201.835.1203 or alicata@craftandhobby.org.

Retailer Announces 18.1% Increase in Seasonal Hires

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, the nation's largest fabric and craft retailer, has announced an 18.1% increase in seasonal hires over last year.

According to Travis Smith, chief operations officer for Jo-Ann, the company has hired 2779 seasonal employees, which currently account for 13.4% of its total workforce. Last year at this time, seasonal employees accounted for 11%. "Obviously, we are very pleased to be able to offer employment to more people in these challenging economic times. This increase is a result of our recent sales trend and expectations for holiday traffic in our stores," Smith explained. "By hiring these additional employees we hope to ensure excellent customer service during the holiday season."

On Thursday, November 5, Jo-Ann announced same-store sales increased 4.3% in the third quarter, driven largely by a 4.9% increase in customer traffic. Smith cites the growing trend in handmade holiday gifts as a contributing factor. "Our customers tell us they enjoy making personalized gifts and that the recipients enjoy the uniqueness and meaning in these gifts," he said.

SOURCE Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores

Cookies by Design, a national franchisor based in Plano, Texas, is opening its new Gifting Center this month in Plano. The Center, which will be the company's central distribution location for many customers across the U.S., will employ 75 new workers.

"In addition to creating 75 new jobs in our local area, we will also use a portion of the Center's revenues to increase national advertising efforts," commented Gwen Willhite, founder of Cookies by Design. "Although we've been in business for more than 25 years, there are still many people who are not aware of us. Our national advertising efforts help to enhance our brand awareness and increase sales for our franchise and corporate locations."

Cookies by Design offers unique cookie gifts and treats including creative cookie bouquets of hand-decorated sugar cookies. "Because our product is hand-crafted, many of the new employees we're hiring are bakers and cookie decorators," said Willhite. Other employees to be hired include product packaging associates and call center personnel.

In addition to two corporate shoppes in the local area, Cookies by Design also has over 150 franchised shoppes in 42 states.

With the Holidays just around the corner, Cookies by Design is sure to bake up happiness - for both customers across the country and 75 newly employed area residents.

Cookies by Design created the world's first cookie bouquet over 25 years ago and continues to provide customers with creative gifts of gourmet and hand-decorated cookies in a variety of shapes and sizes for every occasion. Today, there are shoppes across the country that offer hand-delivery of these creative cookie gifts and treats. For more information, visit www.cookiesbydesign.com.

SOURCE Cookies by Design

A unique and talented group of more than 18 North Shore artisans are hosting Harbor Holidays at The Boston Yacht Club on Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 1 Front Street in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Admission to the event is free and there is ample parking.

"This is a great opportunity to sail through your holiday shopping, enjoy the panoramic views of the beautiful, historic Marblehead Harbor, while enjoying a cup of warm chowder," said Patsy Wiswell, Harbor Holidays co-chair.

All of the vendors are local artists with crafts including unique jewelry, chic clothing, fine art, hand-painted furniture, and hand blown glass. This year's show includes work from Patsy Kane, Lucky Fish, TQOF Jewelry, Landfall Gallery, Old Town Nantucket Baskets, Martha Everson Photography, Bass Point Wildcrafting, Le T, Peapod Fashions, and more!

There will be chowder for sale and The Balloon Man will be on hand from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the kids.

In addition, during the Harbor Holidays, the Marblehead nonprofit, Community of Friends is kicking off its 2009 Stocking Drive to help more than 500 children. Volunteers are needed to help fill handcrafted stockings with loving gifts for the underserved children. The organization's mission is to provide practical necessities, outreach services and enriching experiences to our neighbors in need. For more information on Community of Friends, please visit their website: www.communityoffriends.org

"Please come and pick up a stocking to fill for Community of Friends and make a child in need's holiday special," added Wiswell.

For more information regarding Harbor Holidays, contact Patsy Wiswell at 781-631-4677.

SOURCE Harbor Holidays