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Thousands of Craft & Hobby Professionals Convene at the 2008 CHA Summer Convention & Trade Show

ELMWOOD PARK, NJ (July 24, 2008) - The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) is pleased to announce the verified attendance statistics from the 2008 Summer Convention & Trade Show held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL., July 18 - 20, 2008.

"Despite challenging economic times, we're pleased with the amount of business we saw conducted on the Show floor, with overall attendance only down 6% from last year" explained Steve Berger, CHA CEO.  "It's a testament to the importance of trade shows during slow economy periods and the resiliency of the craft industry."

The CHA Summer Show attracted more than 7,166 verified craft and hobby industry professionals and 348 exhibiting companies from 44 countries around the world.  Reaffirming the CHA Summer Show as the largest craft and hobby trade show of the season, more than 80 new exhibitors participated in the Show across more than 126,895 square feet of exhibition space.

The buyers in attendance didn't appear to let the slow economy hamper purchases.  Based on interviews with several exhibiting companies, the CHA Summer Show was a great success.

Deborah Curry, Partner, Fancy That, explained, "This is our debut at the CHA and we couldn't be more pleased.  Compared to some of the other shows we've been to this year we are seeing a lot of traffic here.  This is the perfect arena for our new product and the timing couldn't be better."

"We've had people in our booth all day, but it's not to the point where no one can get in and look at the products.  It's good because it creates a different atmosphere where buyers aren't rushed to make an order, so they are making smarter buying decisions" said Lynett Carroll, Markting Director, K & Company.

Attendees also took advantage of more then 70 classes, workshops and seminars at the Show, which were designed to provide retailers, manufacturers, and designers with business techniques and solutions which will carry them through the current economic downturn and beyond.  Featuring such sessions as "Why and How to Use Classes and Clubs to Generate Store Traffic" and "Actions Speak Louder than Words! Veteran Sales Techniques That Word," the Summer Show's educational lineup provided CHA members with effective solutions to enhance their business and drive sales.

"This Show meets all our needs.  Our target customers are here, which are the small independent stores, but we've also been approached by the larger stores, which has been great!  It's absolutely a good fit for us," said Connie Campbell, Owner, Combat Creations.

In addition to all the products and excitement on the Show floor, several seminars and presentations were offered during the four-day event.  Speaking on the timely topic of finances and the current economy, financial guru Jean Chatzky gave an insightful presentation Thursday evening, June 17, entitled "Make Money, Not Excuses...Even in a Recession!"  The New York Times bestselling author and financial editor for NBC's Today Show shared her expert financial insights with those in the craft and hobby industry.

Education framed around the Show theme, "Kids' Crafting: Inspiring Growth and Creativity" also taught attendees how to reach the growing U.S. kids crafting market, consisting of 73 million children under the age of 18.

The 2009 CHA Winter Convention & Trade Show will return to the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA from January 25-28, 2009.  For the latest news on the upcoming Show, including educational programs, events and exhibitor listings, visit www.chashow.org.

The CHA Summer Convention & Trade Show is produced by the Craft & Hobby Association, a not-for-profit trade association consisting of about 5,000 member companies engaged in the design, manufacture, distribution and retail sales of products in the $31 billion craft and hobby industry.  For more information about the CHA and its award-winning Conventions and Trade Shows visit: www.craftandhobby.org.