Did you hear? There’s a brand new edition of h+h americas, the trade show for the crafts industry! It’s called h+h americas Fall Edition, and it will be held at the Reliant Center in Houston, Texas, September 30-October 2.
Craft Industry Alliance is proud to be planning the education at h+h americas Fall Edition, and we have some exciting new opportunities to share with you! Our conference at this show will be called Fall Forum and will feature:
- Outstanding business classes where you can learn from the very best!
- Industry Roundtables for shop owners, designers, and teachers.
- A fabulous keynote speaker
- A show floor launch party!
- Sample It, the cash-and-carry shopping event!
Enjoy a welcome breakfast, a box lunch, and formal and informal networking throughout the day. Get the most out of your show experience by spending Wednesday with us!
And then, get up a little early on Thursday and Friday and take some business classes! From 8:00-9:30 each morning, you’ll have a choice of classes, all taught by industry leaders.
Take a look at the schedule below, and add Fall Forum + business classes (either à la carte or as a class pass) to your h+h americas Fall Edition registration! Craft Industry Alliance members get free tickets to the show as well as a significant discount on all classes. (Grab your special code right here.)
Fall Forum
Morning Classes 9:45-11:15
Kathy Cruz, Savvy Shoppkeeper
Stitching Together Your Systems: How to Build Business Processes That Actually Stick
Independent Retail Coach Kathy Cruz makes systems and processes approachable for creative business owners. Instead of overwhelming you with complicated operations manuals or corporate jargon, she’ll show you a practical framework for building systems one step at a time.
You’ll learn which systems to build first, how to document them so they’re actually used, and how simple checklists, workflows, and clear processes become valuable business assets that improve consistency, strengthen your team, and create a business that can continue growing without relying on you for everything.
Cringe to Creator: Unlocking Your Creator Potential
Many people hold themselves back from creating content because they feel awkward on camera or worry about being judged. This class will help you push past that self-consciousness and start showing up authentically online. You’ll explore practical exercises for building confidence, finding your unique voice, and getting comfortable with visibility. It’s designed to help you grow a personal brand without losing yourself in the process, turning “cringe” into a starting point rather than a roadblock.
Roundtable Discussions 12:15-2:15 pm
We have a lot to learn from one another! Join us for these structured conversations focused on the most pressing issues you’re facing in your business right now. Get real-world solutions from fellow business owners who have been in similar situations. Benefit from everyone’s expertise and share what you know!
Small Shops Rountable
Small shops face their own unique set of challenges. Whether you own a quilt shop, a yarn shop, or another sort of craft retail store, your situation is distinct from those with large shop footprints. Limited room to stock full product lines and price points, small classroom space, and staffing limitations all need their own creative solutions. Moderator Ali Dillingham of A Yarn Market in Carmel, Indiana, will guide this conversation. Come away with actionable tips and a new network of small shop owners!
Large Shops Roundtable
Large-footprint yarn and quilt shops face a different set of pressures. In this focused discussion moderated by Corey Pearson of Linda’s in McKinney, Texas, you’ll learn right alongside other owners of large shops. Dig into common challenges such as inventory management and reordering, risks of overbuying and dead stock, training and managing a large staff, higher fixed costs, and merchandising the space. Come away with action steps and a new peer network of large shop owners!
New Shops
Is your shop new? If you’ve opened your shop in the last three years, or you haven’t opened yet, we invite you to attend this discussion! Moderated by Kathy Cruz of The Savvy Shoppkeeper, We’ll be discussing issues specific to new shops, including ordering inventory and setting up a POS, building an online presence, navigating real estate, hiring, merchandising, and more. You’ll come away with specific action steps for your new shop and a network of other new shop owners to reach out to in the months to come.
Designer and Teacher Roundtable
Designers and teachers, we have a designated Roundtable discussion just for you. Moderated by Sandra Chandler of Sandra Lee Design, we’ll dive into developing a distinctive style, protecting your intellectual property, publishing, growing an audience, teaching on a local and national level, and more! You’ll come away with specific ideas to push your design business forward, plus a network of designers and teachers to reach out to for help and support!
Keynote Speaker 2:30-3:30
Sharbreon Plummer, Ph.D. has spent the past fifteen years working at the intersections of nonprofit management, arts and culture, community engagement and project/program management. Her professional journey has prioritized cultivating resources and programs for communities of creators of the global majority, particularly those in the South, whose work advances freedom, liberation and social change. Her research and artistic practice have been shaped by her investigations into Black art history and cultural studies, craft and material studies, southern folkways and her lived experience as a native of South Louisiana. She’s a staff writer for Quiltfolk and HomecookedMagazines. Her most recent book, Black Quilts: Memory, Method and Medicine, is slated for release in 2026 through Chronicle Books.
Show Floor Launch Party 4:00-7:00
Join us for a celebratory Launch Party right on the trade show floor! All booths will be set up and ready for business. Grab a drink and a bite to eat, mingle with old friends, and network with new people. The Launch Party is a great way to kick off the start of h+h americas Fall Edition together!
Sample It 7:30-9:00
Sample It! is our cash-and-carry shopping event! Preview some of the merchandise that will be on exhibit on the trade show floor before the show opens! Purchase new and upcoming fabric, yarn, notions, and kits at great prices. Take them back to your shop to entice customers with what’s coming up!
Ready to add education to your h+h americas Fall Edition registration? Click the button below to get started.
