Craft Focus - Apr/May (Issue 72)

80 All American Highlights from this year’s Creativation More than 250 exhibitors and 3,000 visitors flocked to Phoenix, Arizona this January for the 78 th edition of Creativation, AFCI’s annual conference and trade show. Attendees were able to view the latest creative products, as well as participating in over 120 workshops, business seminars and events. “There is nowhere else like Creativation,” says Jim Thielen, chairman of AFCI’s board of directors. “The quality of education is unrivalled, while new trends, product innovation and networking opportunities make it the ultimate meeting place for likeminded professionals, the culmination of which drives the industry forward and fuels the creative talents of consumers.” EXPERT ADVICE Highlights this year included the discussion event, Let’s Get Real: The Challenges and Opportunities Within the Industry. Featuring a panel of experts from leading companies, the talk focused on the changing buying habits of end consumers, as well as the desire for new and innovative products and ways in which to drive sales by enhancing the customer experience. Also new for 2019 was The Stamping Village, a feature area made up of like- minded companies bearing the mantra ‘community over competition’. “The Stamping Village brought together nine stamp competitors to build a place that celebrated the industry, the show and the customer,” explains Aaron Leventhal, CEO of Hero Arts Rubber Stamps Inc. “It exceeded our highest expectations, acting as a focal point for the best of what our industry has to offer: fun, friendship and a true feeling of community. We hope this idea will grow and include even more vendors and customers next year.” AWARD WINNERS More than 50 exhibitors’ goods were on display in the New Product Showcase, each competing for the coveted New Product Award. Prizes were given to American Crafts/We R Memory Keepers for its foil quill heat pen, Winky & Dutch for its machine-washable picture buttons and AdTech for its drip-less heat guns. Ken and Barbara Griffin and John Laurie were accepted into the Association’s Hall of Fame for their extraordinary achievements within the industry. The highest prize, the Meritorious Award of Honor went to Richard Brown, who has worked in a variety of leadership positions within the creative sector and has served on the board of directors for AFCI, the Craft Yarn Council and the Crochet Guild of America. Other winners included Tammy Browning-Smith, who was presented with the Industry Achievement Award and Doug Earle of HA Kidd and Company, who received the Special Recognition Award. Preparations are already underway for Creativation 2020, which takes place from 16 th -20 th January in Phoenix, Arizona. Visit creativationshow.org for the latest show developments. TRENDS FROM THIS YEAR’S SHOW • Metallic and glitter paints • Papers, prints and patterns • Pom-poms • Wood and galvanized steel • Alcohol inks • Foil • Whimsical animals “It exceeded our highest expectations, acting as a focal point for the best of what our industry has to offer: fun, friendship and a true feeling of community. We hope this idea wil l gr ow and include even more vendors and customers next year.” - Aar on Leventhal, Her o Arts Rubber Stamps