According to well-known designer and CKU instructor Tim Holtz, struggling publisher CK Media may be about to pull the plug on its franchise of CKU educational scrapbook events. Holtz wrote on his blog this week shortly after returning from CKU-Nashville:
anyways, i wanted to fill you in on a little rumor i heard (and trust me when i say that i am not much of a rumor person) but i thought this one was important to share… there is only going to be one more CKU…that’s it…one more and then it’s over…from what i hear…for good… so if you’re thinking about going to one, haven’t ever been to one, or just want that last chance to go to another one, CKU-Provo in August is your last chance.
In recent years, CK Media has been focusing more on its CKC convention events than on CKU events. In 2005, there were 10 CK Conventions, and at least 5 CKU’s (3 CKU’s and 2 CKU-A’s). This year, the schedule includes only two CKU’s, but is loaded with 16 CKC events. Four of these are new cities for the CKC event.
CK Media’ events department has so far not responded to Scrapbook Update’s request for comment on this matter.
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What is the difference between CKC Nd CKU? I had heard there was going to be a CKU in Osaka this September and I was seriously considering attending. I wish I knew what this all meant.
Hi there Theresa.
CKU, is Creating Keepsakes University an is an educational event with some of the industry’s top teachers.
CKC, is Creating Keepsakes Conventions which combines classes and Vendor Faire.
Vendors come together from across the country so you can shop all in one place.
That’s it in a nutshell. Hope this helps.
Hugs!
Dedra
I had heard they were going to take a break and try to refocus. It’s sad to think there will never be another CKU! sigh…..
Honestly from the comments I heard from the vendors in Louisville, they should be focusing on CKU and discontinuing CKC.
Complaints about cost for booth space, calls for booth rental not being returned, quotes for booth rental being one $ amount and then increasing in 2 weeks.
Louisville was 1/3 what Nashville was in 2005 and the booths were stacked on top of one another, there was no room to move around. Plus the vendors were rude! Especially Provo Craft.
One vendor actually told me they wouldn’t do another CKC if they paid them. That’s sad.
Add to that the vendors were unloading discontinued or outdated merchandise.
I won’t go to another one.
This is sad news to me. My dream was to go to CKU one year. I couldn’t go this year b/c none of the dates worked for me, but I was hoping for 2010.
I went to a CKC once. I wasn’t that impressed with the vendor faire at all. I took a class, and would have taken more classes but I was just past through. I wouldn’t go out of my way to go back to a CKC.
Any updates on this Nancy?
Yet another who still has CKU on the “someday” list. Frankly, I was disappointed at the CKC I attended last year in PA, except for Stacy Julian’s class. I’ve attended at least a dozen convention/expo events in four states in 14 years and I’d give it a 6 out of 10. The evening crop had none of the pizzazz or warmth one comes to expect of such events; I’d give it a 4, and that’s because of the two lovely older ladies I met at our round, bare, unwashed table.