Seminars & Events

Buyers Market of American Craft
Pennsylvania Convention Center
August 1-3, 2009

Friday, July 31

“The Tough Get Going”
Afternoon workshop series. All for one low price: $40 in advance; $50 at the door. 2-6p.m., Room 201A
New this summer!  Join us the afternoon before the show, for a value-priced boot camp series, jam-packed with retail strategies, tools and skill-building sessions:

• The Art of the Deal: Negotiate a new lease, rent or contract with confidence.
• Play It Safe: Get the Facts: What does the new Toy Safety legislation really mean for your store?
• Turn “Buy Local” Into “Buy From Me”: The “buy local” movement will send new traffic to your store, but not if you sit around waiting to be discovered. Learn how to make it work for you, with Cinda Baxter, founder of The 3/50 Project, a “buy local” resource supporting independent retailers.
• Friends, Fans, Tweets and Blogs: Get the complete 411 from this panel of your fellow gift, jewelry and handcraft retailers who use social networking tools to promote their stores.

Saturday, August 1

“Table Topics”: Sponsored by C.R.A.F.T. 
Breakfast seminar, $25 in advance; $30 at the door. 8:30-10a.m., Room 201A
Join small group discussions to get inside information from industry leaders about customer service, pricing, merchandising and promotions.

Visiting Artist Program
10:30a.m.-6p.m.
For schedule, pricing & registration:  877-ABI-5771, info@artsbusinessinstitute.org, www.artsbusinessinstitute.org
Sponsored by the Arts Business Institute and the Buyers Market of American Craft, the programming includes educational seminars designed specifically for artists, guided marketplace tours, individual mentoring sessions, and the opportunity to ask questions and network with ABI and Buyers Market staff, seasoned exhibitors and other Visiting Artists.  All Visiting Artist programming is designed to provide you with the information you need to take your arts business to the next level.

 Fashion Show featuring Wearable Art
Free to Buyers Market participants. 12:30-1:30p.m.
Wearable art rules the catwalk during our daily fashion show, located in the back of Exhibit Hall B.  Stunning, original designs by BMAC exhibitors will be presented.

“Handmade Nation”
6-8 p.m., Room 103
FREE to Buyers Market of American Craft participants:  Show badge or ticket required at the door.
Additional tickets and public admission: $5 at the door
In 2006, Milwaukee-based artist and craft retailer Faythe Levine set out to chronicle what she calls “the new wave of art, craft and design” in America.  The result is “Handmade Nation,” a documentary of the work of a country-wide community of boutique owners, subversive stitchers, puckish printmakers and feisty knitters – independent-minded folks who’ve taken up the DIY mantle passed down from generations gone by. With filmmaker Micaela O'Herlihy, she captures a movement among people who value the handmade over the mass-produced and craft over convenience. After the screening, Ms. Levine will answer questions about the making of the documentary, moderated by Kris Stewart, editor, NICHE magazine. 

Sunday, August 2

“Trends to Bank On”
Breakfast seminar, $25 in advance; $30 at the door. 8:30-10a.m., Room 201A
Plan ahead for 2010 with Michelle Lamb, the editorial director of The Trend Curve and a trusted color and trend forecaster who advises the home, stationery and gift product industries. Whether you're an artist developing new product lines or a retailer updating the look of your store, Michelle's insights on the future of color and design will help guide your success in this challenging environment.

 Visiting Artist Program
10:30a.m.-6p.m.
For schedule pricing & registration:  877-ABI-5771, info@artsbusinessinstitute.org, www.artsbusinessinstitute.org
Sponsored by the Arts Business Institute and the Buyers Market of American Craft, the programming includes educational seminars designed specifically for artists, guided marketplace tours, individual mentoring sessions, and the opportunity to ask questions and network with ABI and Buyers Market staff, seasoned exhibitors and other Visiting Artists.  All Visiting Artist programming is designed to provide you with the information you need to take your arts business to the next level.

 Fashion Show featuring Wearable Art
Free to Buyers Market participants. 12:30-1:30p.m.
Wearable art takes over the catwalk for our daily fashion show located in the back of Exhibit Hall B.  Stunning, original designs by BMAC exhibitors will be presented.

 2009 NICHE Top Retailer Awards
Room 103, Reception at 6.pm., followed by awards ceremony.
Free for all Buyers Market participants.
This awards program recognizes craft galleries and retailers, arts nonprofits, museum shops and guilds for growing and strengthening the North American craft community. NICHE magazine will name the 24 Top Retailers for 2009, present 10 special category awards and announce the 2009 NICHE Retailer of the Year. 

Monday, August 3

Fashion Show featuring Wearable Art
Free to Buyers Market participants. 12:30-1:30pm
Wearable art rules the catwalk during our daily fashion show located in the back of Exhibit Hall B. Stunning, original designs by BMAC exhibitors will be presented.

Special Exhibits
Open during regular show hours, August 1-3, 2009:

Eco Arts Market:  NEW!  Green living, artfully done. The spotlight shines on innovative designs made from recycled, found or sustainable materials by our Buyers Market artisans. Great contemporary style and environmentally conscious design make fantastic partners: See dozens of examples in fine and fashion jewelry, home accessories, handbags, garden sculpture and more. See more eco-friendly art products in this summer’s all-green edition of NICHE magazine and in the show Buyers Guide. Location: On the show floor.

2009 Show Dates:
Summer
August 1-3, 2009

Summer
August 23-25, 2010
Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore, MD

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