The Road to Market

Our first trip to International Quilt Market is quickly approaching.  I have been in business since 2003 and never have I prepared so much for an event as I have for this one.  Not only have I been working non-stop for the last 6 months to refine the CWQ product line but I have been booking hotels, planning presentations, submitting designs, booking events and appointments, managing other shows, purchasing booth equipment and sketching out my best attempt at a booth design.

For those of you who are not familiar with market it is the largest Wholesale Quilt Market in the world.  Each fall the market takes place in Houston, TX at the George R Brown Convention Center.  The Spring Quilt Market is a traveling location but the Fall Market always happens in Houston, which I believe is why it draws such a crowd.  It's much easier to plan each year.

All of the buyers and Quilt shop owners around the world come to the Market to see all the new products, meet all the new companies and purchase goods for their stores.  I will be meeting all of them in a period of 3 days (Oct 27-29)... and celebrating my 40th birthday with them as well since my birthday happens to fall on show opening day.  It's a big commitment of time and money to attend the event.

During the show everyone markets their product the best that they can.  There is also a contest for the exhibitors as well.  There are various awards given to the best booth designs in the following categories:

• Creativity
• Merchandising
• New Exhibitor
• Single Booth (First and Second Place)
• Double Booth (First and Second Place)
• Multiple Booth (First and Second Place)

There is no cash award for this prize.  Just bragging rights.  But they do give you a ribbon and a plaque and there is lots of free advertising for the winners.  To say that the competition is stiff is an understatement.  I have done my absolute best to put together a design that looks nice, is relatively economical, and fits our company without taking away from the merchandising needed to SELL products (which is the real reason for attending).

Here is a little sneak peak of something that I am working on now.  

I would tell you more about what this is... but I can't.  I am keeping it completely under wraps.  

I have also been selected for the Schoolhouse Series.  This is a presentation day provided by the marketing team at Quilts Inc and Mitchell Marketing.  The Schoolhouse is an opportunity for the shop owners to attend mini "marketing" sessions from some of the exhibitors with new and exciting products or new and exciting class/workshop ideas for their shops.  I have an assigned classroom to show as many people as I can why they should by my products and how they will benefit their stores.

Yet again I am up against some really stiff competition.  Some of the major fabric manufacturers and book publishers will be there to show off their new books, patterns and fabrics.  Mitchell Marketing hand selected me to attend this event as well.  Since some of these major companies spend thousands on giveaways to encourage people to attend their events I had to do something to entice people to attend my function.  Of course I can't compete with giveaways for everyone... but I am giving away this Fabulous Basket of "Stuff" to one lucky participator.  In this basket is one copy of every piece of product I produce... as well as a few other goodies to use with it.  Check it out here.

This basket has a RETAIL VALUE of more than $275.

I can't wait to put the booth together and show pictures here on the blog... but the final booth will not be assembled completely until Friday evening.  But check back for more pictures of anything I can think to post that would be of interest.  If you ever wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes... you can find it here.  I can tell you up to this point... it's way more work than it is fun... but I am looking forward to attending and enjoying the show.

Stay tuned for more happenings here at the CABIN!