We are so pleased to be able to present an all-star lineup of speakers on our Main Stage at h+h americas 2026. The Main Stage is located right on the show floor and attendance at these sessions is free for all attendees. Learn about cyber security, micro influencers, cosplay, collaborating with brands, and so much more!
Plus, we’re also incredibly excited to announce our incredible keynote speakers and our State of the Industry panelists! These sessions are also open to everyone in attendance at no extra charge. Kick off each day of the show with an inspiring and eye-opening session!
Main Stage
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
10:15-11:00 am – Community and Commerce: A Conversation Starter About Inclusion of Underserved Audiences
In today’s business landscape, creating a strong community is no longer just a benefit; it is a fundamental demand for growth and sustainability. Whether you operate an online service, a brick-and-mortar shop, or something in between, the foundation of community growth lies in truly knowing and understanding the people in it.
This vital discussion brings together industry leaders to explore actionable and simple steps for cultivating a more inclusive environment for underserved and often unseen audiences. The ultimate goal is to forge strong, vibrant, and mutually beneficial business-to-customer relationships. Join us as we start this important conversation.
With Lisa Woolfork, Sara Ingle, Nicole Angeline, Lina Owen, and Laura Raquel Duran
11:15-12:00 pm – Building Partnerships That Benefit Both Shop Owners and Sales Reps.
A positive relationship between shop owners and sales reps benefits both parties and can make the difference in finding and carrying products that lead to sales and success in your business. Join us for a panel discussion that brings both sides to the table as we share tips on how to build practical and mutually beneficial relationships.
With Vicky Lyons, Kathy Cruz, Sara Rabideau, Gilda Ongkeko, and Linda McCleland
Moderated by Sunni Scrivner
12:15-1:00 pm- Content Systems for Busy Creators
You know you should be posting consistently, but between the blank-page paralysis, the ever-changing algorithm, and the competing demands of running a business, it’s easier said than done. Join our panel of experts for an honest, practical conversation about building content systems that flex with the seasons of your life and business. We’ll talk about how to batch smarter, create faster, and finally feel like social media is something you’re in charge of, not the other way around.
With Kate Gilbert, Andrea Jones, and Nicole Stevenson
Moderated by Bea Byrne
1:15-2:00 pm- Getting Past the Hype: Using AI to Propel Your Craft Business
AI is moving from novelty to necessity for craft retailers and brands. This panel will share insights and experiences with practical, real-world ways to use AI to improve customer service, strengthen marketing performance, and streamline merchandising/operations—while addressing responsible use and how to keep the ‘human magic’ in creative communities.
With Alanna Wilcox, Jonathan Shroyer, Theresa Benson, and Andrea Jones
Moderated by Michele Costa
2:15-3:00 pm – Micro Influencers for Macro Impact
Description: Research last year confirmed that micro-influencers have 60% higher engagement rates than big-name brands, with 82% of consumers likely to follow their recommendations. This wasn’t news to today’s Panel, which represents both sides of the discussion – active micro-influencers and the big brands that work with them. Join us to find out how it works, the benefits to both sides, and how you might get started.
With Mac Cox, Jenni Taller, and Stephanie Sheridan
Moderated by Bea Byrn
3:15-3:45 pm – Meet the NexGen Artist Lorelai Kuecker
Join Brandy Maslowski (Quilter on Fire) for a live interview with this 16-year-old award-winning quilter and garment maker, the official NexGen Artist of h+h americas 2026. Known for her bold quilts and jaw-dropping quilted garments, Lorelai is redefining what young makers can achieve. Among many awards, Lorelai was the QuiltCon 2025 1st Place Youth winner. She’s a fabric designer for Northcott, and now a published author. Hear her inspiring story, and discover how she’s showing up at H&H — from booth appearances to fashion moments and book signings.
With Lorelai Kuecker
Moderated by Brandy Maslowski
4:00-4:30 pm- Craft as Civic Practice: How Making Builds Belonging
Craft is often described as personal, creative, or comforting, but it also has the power to shape how we show up for one another in public life. In this talk, Jayna Zweiman, co-founder of the Pussyhat Project and founder of the growing Welcome Blanket project, explores how the values embedded in handmade work—care, time, skill, and attention—can help build belonging at scale.
Through stories and images from large-scale participatory projects, Jayna shares how simple structures, clear values, and accessible entry points allow craft communities to invite participation, foster connection, and grow without losing heart. It invites craft leaders to see their shops, classrooms, and gatherings as places where belonging is not just felt, but actively made.
With Jayna Zweiman of Welcome Blanket
Thursday, May 7, 2026
10:15-11:00 am – Behind the Seams: Lessons from Cirque, Disney, and Beyond
Tricia Camacho will give you a peek into the world of high-stakes costume production. Learn how working behind the scenes in demanding production environments reshaped Tricia’s philosophy on fit, education, and skill-building, and how those lessons sparked an educational movement focused on clarity, confidence, and practical application.
With Tricia Camacho of PatternCon and Creative Costume Academy
11:15-12:00 pm – Cybersecurity Trends for Creative Businesses
Cybercrime is an industry, and like any industry it follows trends. Over time, some attacks become more common, others fade away, and others evolve as technology changes.
Each spring, organizations such as the FBI, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), and leading private-sector firms publish reports reviewing the past year’s cyberattacks and forecasting what to expect in the current year, but these reports are typically written for cybersecurity professionals at large corporations.
This talk translates the Spring 2026 cybersecurity reports into clear, plain language for small and medium-sized businesses. We’ll focus specifically on what these trends mean for creative and craft-based businesses, and we’ll discuss practical, realistic steps small business owners can take to reduce risk and better protect themselves.
With Rob Masterson
12:15-1:15 pm – The Business of Belonging: The Long Game of Building Trust and Loyalty
What does it look like to build a business around community, intentionally and over time?
Join Ann Shayne and Kay Gardiner of Modern Daily Knitting in conversation with Trisha Malcolm for an honest look at how MDK has grown through daily connection. At the heart of it all is a simple practice: showing up consistently; one email, one story, one day at a time. From that steady rhythm has grown a wider circle: virtual classes, the MDK Society, gatherings like Nash Yarn Fest, workshops at Shakerag; all rooted in the same idea: relationships first.
Together we will explore:
Community as a daily practice
• Why consistency matters
• Lessons learned along the way
• How trust sustains a creative business
A conversation about the long game of community.
With Ann Shayne and Kay Gardiner
Moderated by Trisha Malcom
1:30-2:30 pm – How to Grow Your Local Business Online in 2026
Discover the most effective daily actions you can take—at no cost—to strengthen your online presence and grow your local business. This class is led by Sew & Vac Media’s SEO Specialist Zach Durbin, who brings over 20 years of experience in search engine optimization and digital marketing strategy.
With Zach Durbin of Sew and Vac Media
3:00-4:00 pm – Cosplay Fashion Show
Welcome to the third annual h+h americas Cosplay Fashion Show Competition presented by Famoré. A unique, one-of-a-kind contest connecting the crafting industry directly with the cosplayer! It’s a celebration of visionary cosplay designers—multi-media artists who transform fabric, foam, thread, leather, beads, and more into breathtaking wearable art. Every look you’ll see represents countless hours of skill, creativity, and dedication, powered by the very materials and tools that drive the crafting industry forward. Join us as we connect the international cosplay community with the international companies that fuel their artistry.
4:00-5:00 pm – Meet the Cosplay Makers – Happy Hour!
Get to know the cosplay contestants, hear more about cosplay, and snap a photo or two during Happy Hour!
4:15-5:00 pm – The State of Craft Book Publishing Today
What does it take to publish a successful craft book today? In this panel discussion, acquisitions editors from several major craft publishers share an inside look at the current landscape of craft book publishing. Learn what types of proposals are catching editors’ attention, how the market has shifted in recent years, and what opportunities exist for designers, makers, and educators who want to bring their ideas to print. Whether you’re dreaming of writing a craft book or simply curious about the business behind the books on your shelf, this conversation will offer valuable insights into what’s working in craft publishing right now.
With Kerry Bogert, Ame Verso, and Amy Barrett-Daffin
Moderated by Patty Lyons
Friday, May 8, 2026
10:15-11:00 am – Beyond the Bolt: Seamlessly Introducing Garment Sewing into Your Retail Shop
With shifts in the retail landscape creating new opportunities, now is the time for brick-and-mortar shops to expand beyond quilting and craft fabrics into the high-potential garment sewing market. This expert panel will cut through the trepidation and illuminate the clear strategic and financial benefits of adding apparel fabrics to your inventory.
With Heather Lou, Tawnee Kinnebrew, Darcy Lewis, and Steve Weisner
Moderated by Ursula Morgan
11:15-11:45 pm – Tariff Basics for the Textile Industry
Attorney and a licensed customs broker with over 20 years of experience developing and implementing global compliance programs, Rafael Saakyan will provide aninteractive introduction to tariffs, focusing on textiles and the current political and regulatory environment. This talk will introduce tariffs and how they are determined/applied, discuss the 2025 trade war impact on the textile industry, and answer questions from the audience.
With Rafael Saakyan
1:00-1:45 pm – Creativity, Community, and Circularity: Building a Brand for the Next Generation
When we think about building a brand that lasts for years and years to come, we need to balance short-term goals with long-term impacts – to people and the planet. The handicraft industry is primed to lead this shift toward a culture that values circularity, community, and ethical innovation. We start by envisioning a world where all living beings thrive in harmony. Then, we’ll explore how our craft businesses can help shape the pathway to a more resilient economy, one that supports our individual needs without depleting our environmental resources.
In this presentation, you’ll learn about a new concept: participatory production. A sustainable business model that invites consumers to directly engage with the handmaking process and transforms them into brand ambassadors. This is a model where there are no tariffs, supply chain disruptions, or material shortages because it’s founded in sharing, creative reuse, and community connection. There will be practical steps you can take today and inspiration for building a brand for the future.
With Katy Osborn
2:00-2:30 pm – Revenue Is Rising. Profit Isn’t. Find out Why
How retailers and brands consider pricing, channel strategy, and marketing structure to protect margin.
With Harley Thomas
Keynotes
Wednesday, May 6, 8:30–10:00 am
Presentation of the Golden Scissors Awards + State of the Industry Panel Discussion
Join us for the annual Golden Scissors Awards ceremony! The craft industry is made up of both world-class corporations and thousands of visionary small business owners, whose never-ending creativity continually lifts the entire sector to new heights. The Golden Scissors Awards are an opportunity for the industry to recognize those who have offered outstanding leadership and innovation in the past year. The 2026 award recipients will be announced live on stage!
Let’s prepare for the future of craft together.
h+h americas and Craft Industry Alliance are excited to announce the speakers participating in h+h americas’ 2026 State of the Industry Panel. Moderator Abby Glassenberg will lead Nicholas Bertram, President and Chief Operating Officer, Michaels; Natalie Thomas, Designer, Detroit Knots; Erin Love, Owner, Firecracker Fabrics; and Jason Zhao, Chief Operating Officer, Kearing, in an in-depth discussion focusing on the challenges and opportunities craft businesses face today and tomorrow. You’ll learn about developing trends, forecasts, and future outlooks for craft businesses, and leave with a global view of the crafts industry. We are all connected, from new businesses to established companies, from large corporations to independent makers, and this discussion will set the tone for what the show and the coming year will bring.
Thursday, May 7, 8:30–10:00 am
Keynote: Natalie Chanin
h+h americas and Craft Industry Alliance are excited to announce that Natalie Chanin is our featured keynote speaker. Natalie Chanin is an American fashion designer, artist, stylist, and filmmaker, and the founder of Alabama Chanin and The School of Making. Over the last two decades, Natalie has been at the forefront of sustainable crafting and fashion, actively promoting a zero-waste and slow fashion ethos with organic and recycled textiles handsewn by local artisans. As our keynote speaker, Natalie is here to inspire us and bring us back to our “why.” Why do we work in the crafts industry? What is it all for? Natalie’s message will help us to remember the beauty and connection that handmade brings to our lives and the lives of our customers. Come away with a renewed sense of mission and purpose, feeling uplifted and ready to tackle the show floor.
There will be time for Q&A with Natalie as well. We can’t wait to see you there.
Friday, May 8, 8:30–10:00 am
Consumer Research Presentations
Presentation of Quilting Industry Consumer Research by Handi Quilter
Presented bySarah Watts of Handi Quilter
How do quilters discover, learn, and grow in the craft, and what does that mean for retailers? In this presentation of qualitative consumer research conducted in 2026 by Handi Quilter, you’ll learn a simple framework for understanding the different stages of the quilting journey from curious beginners to experienced finishers and how their needs change along the way. Using insights from the survey data, we’ll highlight opportunities for retailers to meet quilters where they are, support their progress, and build long-term customer relationships.
Presentation of Yarn Industry Consumer Research by Berroco
Presented by Jan Hurwitz of Berroco
Yarn Trends is a periodic large-scale consumer research study focused on understanding consumer behavior in the yarn industry. Conducted by Berroco, the study’s findings reveal the overall size of the yarn industry now, the demographics of the average consumer in this sector, and trends in buying behavior. Learn how consumers are learning about new products, where they’re going to learn new skills, and more.
