CHA Abandons Winter 2011 Supershow Plans

October 5, 2010 By 10 Comments

The Craft & Hobby Association has abandoned plans to bring a consumer show to California for a second straight winter.

Tentative plans to bring a second Craft Supershow to California alongside the CHA Winter trade show in January 2011 were described to CHA members at the CHA 2010 Summer show in Rosemont. The plans called for the Craft Supershow to be held in Anaheim from January 21st-23rd, followed by the trade show in Los Angeles from January 29th-February 1st.

The holding of the two shows on consecutive weekends instead of on consecutive days as was previously done was met by most potential participants less than enthusiastically. The planned calendar resulted in several days of downtime between the shows, requiring participants to either foot the travel bill for “vacation” days whether they wanted them or not, or to travel back and forth to California twice with about 48 hours at home in between trips. Remaining in the area for the entire time of both shows, including set-up, would require two weeks of travel time away from home – and two weeks of travel expense. The use of two different venues was also less than popular since it would have required everyone to pack up and move locations in the middle of their trips if they were doing both shows, a huge logistical challenge and flat-out hassle.

Given the logistical challenges and poor reception, CHA is apparently opting to shelve the plans to hold the Anaheim Supershow in 2011.

Supershow fans can rest easy, however: the Supershows are not dead. CHA sources tell Scrapbook Update that the Supershow concept itself is not being retired, just the January plans for California, and that plans are being examined for possible future Supershows.


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CHA Asks For Supershow Input

April 1, 2010 By 9 Comments

The Craft & Hobby Association would like to hear feedback from Scrapbook Update readers who participated in either or both of the two CHA Craft Supershows in Orlando and Anaheim in the past year.

They’d like to know what you liked or didn’t like, whether your expectations for the show were what was provided, what you’d like to see done the same or different in future Supershows – anything you’d like to tell them about what you think your experience.

Thanks for helping to improve the Supershows for future attendees! Consumer shows are important events to continuing to develop the crafts market, and scrapbooking as a segment of it.

Please use the comment section of this post to leave your feedback. (Email subscribers: Please click on the words “CHA Asks For Supershow Input” at the top to get to the entry on the website where you can leave comments.)

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Top Scrapbook News Stories of 2009

December 31, 2009 By 4 Comments

It’s time to say goodbye to 2009…here’s a look back at the top scrapbook industry news stories of the year.

Paris Hilton Does CHA

The CHA crowd is used to having the likes of Vanna White and Martha Stewart grace the show with their presence. But the show has never quite seen a spectacle like happened at CHA-Winter 2009 in Anaheim when Paris Hilton strutted onto the show floor trailed by a posse of burly bodyguards and foreign paparazzi.

paris-arriving-webWell, now I can check “getting elbowed by German-speaking paparazzi” off my bucket list at least.

Creative Memories Files Bankruptcy

Although the bankruptcy of Creative Memories was technically filed in late 2008, the disposition of it continued into 2009. The court approved the company’s bankruptcy plan on January 9th, but former company officers still face legal action from former employee shareholders over their actions in regard to the bankruptcy plan.

CK Media’s Financial Problems

Stories stemming from the underlying thread of CK Media’s financial issues were a recurrent theme in the scrapbook news in 2009. First Digital Scrapbooking was shut down, and shortly afterward Simple Scrapbooks magazines was closed as well. Scrapbook Update broke the news in February that CK Media had called in turnaround/bankruptcy firm CRG Partners to settle its debts with its creditors under threat of a bankruptcy filing.

In early July, the sale of CK Media’s remaining publications to New Track Media became final, triggering major layoffs at the company.

CHA Craft Supershows

There was something else new at CHA-Summer 2009 besides the venue – the addition of a consumer event that operated the weekend after the trade show. Although controversial when first announced, the Craft Supershow was a massive success in Orlando, and CHA is continuing the event in conjunction with CHA-Winter 2010 in Anaheim.

IMG_6073

Big Names Depart from Creating Keepsakes

As the company foundered this year, a lot of big names departed Creating Keepsakes and its parent company to work on other projects. The departures went all the way to the top of the company, when Creating Keepsakes founding editor Lisa Bearnson announced she was giving up her role with the magazine. Other popular well-known names who departed the company included Becky Higgins, Ali Edwards, Cathy Zielske, and Jessica Sprague.

Stampin’ Up Angers Demonstrators With New IDA

In early fall, Stampin’ Up issued a revised IDA (independent demonstrator agreement) to all of its demonstrators that included new restrictions on their online activity. Stampin’ Up originally interpreted the new guidelines as meaning Stampin’ Up reps couldn’t link to anyone online who linked to anywhere else that sold or promoted non-Stampin’ Up products. Many reps threatened to resign rather than live with restrictions that would force them to remove themselves from a large portion of the online community, and Stampin’ Up was forced to loosen the guidelines.

Memory Makers Ceases Publication

In early May, Scrapbook Update broke the story that F+W Media was planning to shut down Memory Makers Magazine with the Sept/Oct issue. This news was confirmed by the publication the next day. The magazine’s remaining subscriptions were picked up by Northridge Media for digital fulfillment with an all-access pass to its titles.

Melody Ross Departs Chatterbox, Company Shelved by Ultra Pro

In early July, Chatterbox founder Melody Ross revealed that she had departed the company back in April. At CHA-Summer, a rep for Chatterbox parent company Ultra-Pro confirmed to Scrapbook Update that the Chatterbox brand’s product lines were being discontinued. Ten years ago, the company was revolutionary in the industry. Now, it no longer exists.

Lenders Attempt to Force Wilton Brands Bankruptcy

After holding company Wilton Holdings breached covenants of loans it owed, the parent company of EK Success and K&Co was called into bankruptcy court by lenders who filed a petition to force the company into bankruptcy. The issue was eventually settled out of court by the lenders and Wilton. Later in the year, Wilton’s CEO resigned, saying that the new ownership should have an opportunity to select their own management.

Gypsy Introduces New Era Of Scrapbook Electronics

Shortly before CHA-Summer, Provo Craft started executing a viral marketing campaign to raise buzz on its new electronic accessory for the Cricut called the Gypsy.

The campaign was successful at raising buzz on the Gypsy, which is a handheld device that lets users create designs from their cartridge library and then cut them via their Cricut machine. Probable future plans for the device include the ability to purchase individual cut designs from an iTunes-style store, instead of having to purchase entire cartridges.

The Gypsy debuted with an HSN package and a 30 day exclusive run at Michaels. Although the MSRP is $299, over the holidays the street price seems to be hovering around $250.

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CHA Notes: Supershow Celebrities, Call for Board Nominations

March 23, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Here’s all the latest news out of the Craft & Hobby Association:

SuperShow Celebrities

mary-engelbreitCHA has started promoting the craft celebrities who will be appearing at the SuperShow in Orlando in July. (The SuperShow is the official name for the consumer show that will happen the weekend after the CHA tradeshow.) Some big names are coming that are sure to attract people to the event – great news for the vendors that are committed.

Mary Engelbreit will be making an appearance on Saturday, Aug. 1st. She’ll be doing a presentation from 11am-Noon, and then a book signing from Noon-1pm. Registration for that event will be available when CHA opens registration for the SuperShow on May 1st.

Also scheduled to appear, but with no posted details yet, is Terri Ouellette, better known to crafters as “Terri O.”  Terri has been the CHA Craft Spokesperson for more than 6 years, and produces video content for crafters at her website “Online With Terri O.“.

CHA-Winter 2010 Dates

Just in case planniing for CHA-Summer isn’t far enough into the future for you, note that the dates for CHA-Winter 2010 were publicized in the call for CHA Board Nominations. CHA-Winter 2010 will take place Jan. 24th-Jan. 27th, 2010 in Anaheim, CA.

Call for CHA Board Nominations

CHA has issued a call for nominations to its 2010 Board of Directors. Members of the Board serve 3-year terms. CHA Board Members serve on a voluntary basis, and meet quarterly to provide guidance to CHA.

“If you’re looking for an opportunity to improve the industry, we’re looking for you!” said 2009 Nominating Committee Chair Sara Naumann of Hot Off The Press. “We’re searching for people from all membership sections—people with a track record of professional excellence and a desire to improve the industry.” Naumann added, “If you or someone you know is ready to work as an advocate for change, then please submit a nomination. We’d love to hear from you!”

Interesting in putting your name or the name of another CHA member into nomination for the Board? Here’s how:CHA Members can download the Board Nomination Form by visiting the “Members Only” section of www.craftandhobby.org or they can request a copy by email or fax by contacting the CHA Member Services Department at (201) 835-1206 or  emailing memberservices@craftandhobby.org. Any CHA member may nominate the name of an Association member or submit themselves as a candidate to sit on CHA’s governing body for a 3-year term beginning January 2010.

All nominations will be considered by the committee. Board nominations must be received by June 1, 2009 to facilitate the review process. Nominated individuals who wish to be considered will receive a Board Nominee Profile Form to complete and return by June 15, 2009. If a Nomination Form was submitted and the nominee does not receive the Board Nominee Profile Form to complete within a few days, please contact CHA Member Services at (201) 835-1206 before the June 15, 2009 deadline.

Nominees should plan to have available time for an in-person interview by the Nominating Committee on July 27, 2009, one day before the opening of the CHA 2009 Summer Show. The Summer Show will be held July 28-30 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

To submit either a Board Nomination Form or the Board Nominee Profile Form (if you have been nominated), all nominations should be sent by mail to the chair:

Sara Naumann, 2009 Nominating Committee Chair
c/o CHA Member Services
319 E. 54th Street
Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
Fax: (201) 797-0657
Email: memberservices@craftandhobby.org

If fax or email methods are used, please set the fax machine or the email program preferences for a “delivery receipt” to ensure delivery.

The CHA Board of Directors consists of individuals representing the various sections of the CHA membership. In August, this committee will meet to review nominations and to submit a slate of candidates for the 2010 Board of Directors to the membership. The membership will be notified in advance of the Annual Business Meeting to submit their proxy ballot as outlined in the Association Bylaws.

Alternate nominations may be made by petition. If no additional nominations are offered, members will confirm the slate at the Annual Business Meeting, which will take place in Anaheim, California, at the 69th CHA Winter Convention & Trade Show held in January 24-27, 2010.

In addition to the 2009 Nominating Committee Chair, Sara Naumann, Board committee members are: Larry Olliges (Dee’s Crafts) and Craig Curtis (Petersen-Arne) with Board alternates Georganne Bender, (KIZER & BENDER Speaking!) and Mark Hill (Creativity Inc.). To complete this committee, the CHA membership elected Pam Riddell (The Riddell Group), Ed Rogala (Midwest Products Co. Inc.), and Chris Vance (AMACO); member alternates are Ryann Juden (Piggy Tales) and Carin Atkins (Carin Atkins Creative Lifestyle).

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