CHA Broadens Access to Education & Events

ELMWOOD PARK, N.J., Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) is pleased to announce an official name change of the Craft & Hobby Association Convention & Trade Show.  The new name effective immediately is the Craft & Hobby Association Conference & Trade Show. This change reflects the growing importance of education in helping craft and hobby professionals cope and succeed in today's challenging marketplace by providing greater number of industry professionals with access to CHA's Trade Show, educational sessions, networking opportunities and special events.

Specific craft and hobby industry education is vital to the health of the industry and respective businesses. According to the 2010 CHA Member Satisfaction Survey providing educational programs pertinent to the craft industry was in the top two requested member benefits. While the majority of respondents reported providing educational programs as an important Association function, 42% have never participated in CHA education. Previous surveys report the two main reasons for not taking classes as schedule conflicts and price.

CHA will implement an exciting new Conference model for its 2011 Winter Show in Los Angeles that will provide all attendees with greater value, more convenient hours, greater networking opportunities, and unlimited access to the CHA Trade Show floor, Conference programs, networking opportunities and special events. This new CHA Conference model mirrors other successful programs currently being used by many leading trade show organizations.

The CHA 2011 Winter Conference will feature educational sessions customized for member types, hands-on craft technique training, a variety of networking opportunities, and provide attendees with unlimited access to all seminars, workshops, and special events for only $25 (an approximate $250 value). This fee is waived for all CHA Trade Show exhibitors. Now all attendees and exhibitors will have access to the CHA Conference including business sessions, networking events, and special events that include the Keynote presentation, Show Event/Party, International Reception and the Welcome Reception for one low price.

To help accommodate this focus on education and to eliminate conflicts, the Trade Show floor hours have been moved an hour later and will run from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the first three days of the Show. The new show floor hours will provide attendees and exhibitors a full eight hours of Show floor access along with greater flexibility to participate in education and networking opportunities only offered at CHA Shows.

"We believe the new Conference model and Trade Show enhancements are very valuable new benefits to our members," said Steve Berger, President and CEO of CHA. "They were designed to help all attendees and exhibitors take advantage of as many educational and networking opportunities as possible without the burden of additional costs."

"Having unlimited access to valuable business education and networking opportunities will provide CHA members with the information and insights they need to successfully navigate challenges and grow their businesses during challenging economic times," explained Michael McCooey, CHA Board Chair.

About the Craft & Hobby Association

The Craft & Hobby Association is an international not-for-profit trade association consisting of thousands of member companies engaged in the design, manufacture, distribution and retail sales of products in the nearly $30 billion craft and hobby industry. For more information about CHA visit www.craftandhobby.org. To find out more about its award-winning Conferences and Trade Shows visit: www.chashow.org

SOURCE Craft & Hobby Association

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