Each May, h+h americas transforms Rosemont, Illinois, into the hub of the crafts industry. Retailers, manufacturers, designers, content creators, and makers gather to discover new products, sharpen business skills, and connect with peers from across the country.
h+h americas is put on by Koelnmesse, an organization that believes these shows are more than events—they’re springboards for growth. With a worldwide portfolio that includes h+h cologne in Germany and h+h americas in Chicago and Houston, Koelnmesse’s mission is to unite the craft community, bridging tradition and innovation across markets and cultures. At Craft Industry Alliance, we share that mission.
We know that brick-and-mortar retailers are the backbone of our industry. Our retail shop owners teach, inspire, and equip crafters in their local communities every day. Attending h+h americas gives shop owners direct access to suppliers, fresh ideas, and valuable connections—but we recognize that travel costs and time away from their business can make attending difficult, especially for those from underrepresented communities.
Breaking Barriers for Tomorrow’s Craft Retail Leaders
To help remove these barriers, Koelnmesse and Craft Industry Alliance offer a Scholarship Program for brick-and-mortar retailers who have not yet attended an h+h show. This initiative will provide support for shop owners, making it easier to join us, discover new opportunities, and grow your business. Shop owners from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. If you—or a retailer you know—would benefit from this program, we encourage you to apply and share the news with your network.
Five scholarships will be awarded for the 2027 show to cover expenses. Scholarship winners will receive:
- $1,000 to cover expenses related to travel and lodging
- A free ticket to the show ($59 value)
- A full conference ticket to attend all of the educational offerings at the show, including h+h University ($269 value)
- A ticket to the h+h After Dark party ($75 value)
- Free admission to Sample It ($15 value)
Winners will also be treated to a VIP show floor walk-through. The approximate total value of the scholarship is $1,418 per winner.
Applications are open from October 12-30, 2026. Only fully complete applications from brick-and-mortar retailers who have not yet attended h+h americas will be considered. Winners will be notified via email on December 3, 2026.
“Thank you so much for the opportunity to participate in H+H this year. We are still babies in the Quilt Shop-owning world, and H+H was such an AMAZING experience- both my husband and I learned so much; we saved a ton of money on things we order anyway, learned about new designers and finally got signed up with a fabric company that we’ve been wanting to work with. It was an amazing experience- we absolutely will be back next year!”
Paisley Duck Quilting and Design in Kelso, Washington
“Many thanks for the opportunity to attend h+h americas in Chicago last week. It was everything I needed to help me grow my quilt shop, remain essential to my customers in our changing industry and better understand pricing so I am not shorting myself. The classes, the vendors, the shared experiences between people I met… was all incredible.”
My Timeless Day Quilting & Sewing Canton, South Dakota
