New Products, New Exhibitors, New Programs Illustrate Strength of the Specialty Needlearts Industr

For Immediate Release

January 13, 2011

Media Contact:

Patty Parrish, ExecutiveDirector

The National NeedleArts Association

Sherry Mulne

Business Directions inc
614-237-0700

bdirect@columbus.rr.com

New Products, New Exhibitors, New Programs Illustrate Strength of the Specialty Needlearts Industry

ZANESVILLE, OH — The National NeedleArts Association’s Winter Trade Show in Long Beach CA this past weekend was a testimony to the innovation and creative spirit of our members and our industry.

With twenty-three new exhibitors and a New Product Display boasting one hundred-sixty-eight new items from over one hundred companies, it was evident TNNA’s members continue to see, and seek opportunities within this challenging economy.

Friday evening hosted a "biggest ever” Sample-IT!, the Teacher Meet & Greet, as well as the new Needlepoint Group Showcase, complete with an array of finely finished products. The Yarn Group Fashion Show, emceed by Doreen Connors of SOHO Publishing and Kathy Morrow of The Yarn Studio, capped off the evening. Spirited, new models, strutting along a new diamond runway, showed off the sparkling new yarns and spring/summer knit and crochet patterns from over 65 of TNNA’s foremost designers.

TNNA’s educational curriculum continues to develop, embracing different venues to better serve our members. Both the TIPs program and on-floor mini-sessions, initiated in Columbus last June, were again well received. The Retail Council is currently in the process of creating a totally new approach to providing members with the knowledge they need to better manage their businesses.

During the Special Interest Group meetings on Sunday evening, as well as the Annual Meeting, India Wood of Hart Business Resources announced a new Business Innovation Award being offered by her company in partnership with TNNA.

The Annual Meeting started off with a short video highlighting the Top Stories of TNNA 2009 – 2010, starting out with Stitch N’ Pitches achievement of setting a new Guinness Book of World Records for the most crocheters stitching at the same time at Citi Park NY during the past summer. The entire video will be posted on TNNA.org.

The PiPN Internship program also announced the addition of Mississippi State University as a second hub. University of Akron in Akron OH had been the only college in the PiPN Scholar program. MSU, through Dr. Phyllis Miller, offers a complete needlearts class as part of their Textiles curriculum.

Even TNNA trade shows are changing. Although Columbus will still host the Summer Needlearts Market on the 11^th of June, this fall’s Needlecraft Market is moving to Baltimore MD, and will take place August 13-14. Next January’s trade show is slated for Phoenix AZ from the 21^st through the 23^rd.

Although both exhibitor and attendee numbers were nearly exactly the same as last year, activity was up and many vendors expressed satisfaction with show sales. Exhibitors also noted they were happy to be able to connect with other vendors to develop new products or marketing promotions.

For more information and discussion on TNNA’s new programs, check out our TNNAblog.com or log onto TNNA.org.

About TNNA
TNNA is a non-profit trade organization established in 1974 and is dedicated to the advancement and promotion of needle arts, through trade shows, educational seminars, special events, public relations and professional programs that continue to meet the needs of the industry. For more information, visit www.tnna.org.