Independent Retailer Conference to Join Craft & Hobby Association January 9-11, 2015

Parker, CO (January 4, 2015) – The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) will welcome the Independent Retailer Conference at their 2015 Conference & Trade Show – recognized as their MEGA Show – taking place in Anaheim, California on January 9-11, 2015. Their MEGA Show takes place through the 13th, however the Independent Retailer Conference will be a highlighted addition on only the first two days of the show and their pre-show, education day on January 9th.

Known for being a leader in supporting the nearly $30 billion dollar craft and hobby industry, the Craft & Hobby Association produces an annual event that connects attendees with over 400 vendors during the annual, five day Show. With education also a top priority, the Independent Retailer Conference is a welcomed addition that will expand upon the MEGA Show’s current educational line-up.

We strive to offer the best education to help craft businesses succeed. Our partnership with the Independent Retailer Conference will provide a wide variety of top-notch business seminars to help the independent retailer succeed. This is just one of the exciting new features you will see at the Mega Show 2015,” explained Andrej Suskavevic, president & CEO, Craft & Hobby Association.

The Independent Retailer Conference has previously held their events in Chicago, New York City and Las Vegas since 2011. By hosting pop up conferences on site at trade shows like the CHA MEGA Show, the Independent Retailer Conference can reach more retailers while also supporting them during their important buying trips.

We’re excited to join the Craft & Hobby Association’s MEGA Show this year, and we have some fantastic industry leaders and supporters scheduled to present at the show. This includes representatives from SnapRetail, MadeClose, TouchSuite POS, TradeMarks the Spot, Retail Studio Effect and more,” shares Independent Retailer Conference Co-Founder Kerry Bannigan.

The Independent Retailer Conference is dedicated entirely to the unique lifestyle and responsibilities of retail small business owners.  Their education-rich, action-packed events offer retailers the chance to engage, learn and connect with retail experts, industry leaders, service providers and like-minded entrepreneurs. Attendees of the CHA MEGA Show can expect an interactive experience that leaves them better educated and more inspired – with takeaway tools to bring back to their stores.

The Independent Retailer Conference is committed to delivering quality education specific to independent merchants – whether they sell online or have a brick and mortar store. Our experts are prepared to address both physical and online retail operational issues, and we’re thrilled to also encourage show attendees to connect one on one with our industry leaders in our meet and greet Independent Retailer Conference space,” Nicole Leinbach Reyhle, Independent Retailer Conference Co-Founder, further explained.

The Independent Retailer Conference will be held on the show floors of the Craft & Hobby Association MEGA Show on January 10 and 11, and will be free for all attendees to participate in. It will also have select industry leaders available to connect with show attendees who will be at the CHA Education Day on January 9th. Joining the Independent Retailer Conference will also be conference emcees, KIZER & BENDER, who are well known industry leaders among the craft and hobby retail sector. For more information, including sessions to take place on the Independent Retailer Conference stage, visit the Independent Retailer Conference website here. 

About the CHA MEGA Show

With over 3,000 attendees, 400 exhibitors and over 56 countries represented, the CHA’s award-winning MEGA Show is THE place to connect with craft industry peers from all over the world, as well as a resource for quality education to help all segments of the industry manage and grow their business. For more information visit www.craftandhobby.org/chashow.

About Independent Retailer Conference

The Independent Retailer Conference is the nation’s only retail conference dedicated entirely to the unique lifestyle and responsibilities of independent store owners. Founded by industry veterans Nicole Leinbach Reyhle of Retail Minded & Kerry Bannigan of Nolcha, the Independent Retailer Conference offers independent retailers the chance to engage, learn, and connect with industry leaders while also getting inspired from retail experts, service providers and like-minded retailers from across the nation. For future conference dates, please click here. 

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