“Summer is a busy time for retailers planning their holiday merchandising, which creates a need for a mid-year buying event,” said Keli Bell-Cole, CMP, Director of Events, AFCI.
Elmwood Park, NJ (PRWEB) April 19, 2017
Registration for Mixed Media Event 2017, hosted for the first time by the Association For Creative Industries (AFCI) in conjunction with Sierra Pacific Crafts (SPC), is open. The event will feature one day of hands-on education and a two and a half day trade show for independent retailers, and will take place July 17-20, 2017 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“Summer is a busy time for retailers planning their holiday merchandising, which creates a need for a mid-year buying event,” said Keli Bell-Cole, CMP, Director of Events, AFCI. “While other industries are taking summer vacations, ours is focused on preparing for successful fourth quarter sales. Our Mixed Media Event will enable retailers to find products that will sell and help them achieve their sales goal.”
The education schedule includes 14 workshops sponsored by Art Impressions, BoBunny, Ellison/Sizzix, Foundations Décor, Graphic 45, Hampton Art, Hero Arts, Imagine Crafts, Lawn Fawn, Lindy’s Stamp Gang, Prima Marketing Inc., and Simple Stories. Workshops will focus on demonstrating popular products, techniques and trends in mixed media, including but not limited to planners and journals, wood crafts, home décor, paints, stamps, and card making.
“We expect to see an increase in consumer participation in all craft categories over the next 12 months, which could translate to an increase in consumer spend on craft products during the 2017 holiday season,” said Mark Hill, President & CEO, AFCI.
46 creative industry suppliers are already signed up to exhibit. The trade show will be open on July 18-19 from 9:00am-5:00pm and on July 20 from 9:00am-1:00pm.
Online registration will be open through June 30. Registration for entry is free for AFCI members and SPC members. The cost to attend for non-member retailers is $30 through June 30 and $35 for non-member retailers who register on-site.
For more information and to register, visit http://www.afci.global. For exhibiting and sponsorship information, companies should contact Nadine Schwartz, Director of Sales & Sponsorships, nschwartz(at)afci.global or (201) 835-1203.
ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION FOR CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
The Association For Creative Industries (AFCI) is the premier trade association for the global creative arts products industries. AFCI strives to deliver innovative high value services as we support our Members who provide products and services to educate, entertain, and inspire creative consumers. Our Members include the manufacturers, retailers, distributors, designers, educators, digital content providers, professional makers and DIYers, and other creative professionals that comprise the $40 billion+ creative arts industries around the globe. For more information about AFCI, membership, or its annual Creativation trade event, visit http://www.afci.global.
ABOUT SPC
SPC (formerly Sierra Pacific Crafts) began informally 40 years ago when two retail stores in Washington started working together. SPC now serves more than 60 independent member stores who represent nearly 1 million square feet of retail space and 150 million dollars in retail sales. A.C. Moore, a family-owned chain of 140 craft stores, is also part of SPC’s community. For more information, visit http://www.spc.us.