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More than 20,000 exhibitors, attendees and other participants, from locations throughout the U.S.A. and from all over the world, including New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Japan, and Switzerland, will gather to meet and attend the International Quilt Festival/Chicago 2010, produced by Quilts, Inc., from Thursday, April 15, through Sunday, April 18, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention and Conference Center.
Attendees and exhibitors alike, at the International Quilt Festival/Chicago 2010, will celebrate one of largest tradeshows and conventions of its kind, to provide: A full curriculum of educational events; a comprehensive display of quilts that includes some of the rarest, most beautiful and most valuable pieces from every era and many locations; and a massive booth exhibition that offers any kind of quilting material and supply available.
It may be no coincidence that the annual return of the robin coincides with the return of the quilters. While the birds eagerly search for their building supplies and start assembling their nest homes, quilters can’t wait to start combing the aisles of the festival, in serious pursuit of a new designer pattern or a beautiful traditional fabric. Many determined quilters manage to search every corner; Who knows? An amazing treasure or unique discovery might be hiding right around the bend.
The special quilt exhibit, that is the highlight of every show for many visitors, will be conveniently located in the same hall with the booths, so that interested crowds are assured access throughout the show.
Quilting festival participants will have the opportunity to learn all kinds of new A B C’s of their craft by taking advantage of two very inviting E’s: Education and Entertainment will provide the bait that will entice hundreds of eager students to the sewing classes that kick-off on Thursday night, April 15, initiating the entire quilting curriculum; those who expect to be ready to celebrate and party Thursday evening, won’t need to venture farther than the Stephens Conference Center, where revelers will be offered everything from lively cocktails to sophisticated wines, delectable samples of the finest cuisine from Rosemont’s top, world-famous restaurants, musical entertainment and good times at the International Quilt Festival/Chicago 2010 Preview Party, from 5 PM – 9 PM.
The entire festival, including all of its special exhibits, celebrity appearances, educational offerings, presentations, booth displays and much more, will begin at
10 AM, on Friday, April 16, and continue until 3 PM, on Sunday, April 18, when the entire production will close. Friday’s 10 AM opening time will be repeated on Saturday, April 17, and Sunday, April 18. The show’s hours on Friday and Saturday (the busiest days) will extend to 7 PM each night.
The International Quilt Festival/Chicago 2010, will command the attention of all those who are devoted to the craft and its realization in art, its historical development, the evolution of modern design, and, of course, the myriad materials and supplies that comprise everything that is about quilting. When quilt and quilting devotees arrive at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, their attention will be captured instantly, by an exhibition and show so all-encompassing, that it utilizes nearly the entire center (just under one million square feet):
•The latest fabrics, threads, supplies and materials and, break-through patterns will be exhibited;
•The special quilt display that includes some of the most valuable quilts on public display and many other unique items will be exhibited;
•An educational schedule that is unabated and stretches from the very beginning to the very end of a celebratory weekend featuring the craft‘s most renowned experts, artists and celebrities.
The festival is comprehensive, presenting quilting’s fascinating history, its rich heritage, its array of colors (from around the spectrum, and spanning muted tones to bright), the latest technological advances, renowned experts, designs, patterns, opportunities, experience, the creativity, the fastidious attention to detail, the pleasure of sharing a treasured pastime, and finally, the meaningful marriage of an unwavering dedication of the craft to pure love for the process and the end-product.
This mega-show also occupies many meeting rooms in the adjacent Stephens Conference Center for classroom sessions, presentations by famous artists, designers and experts, and demonstrations.
For more information, visit www.quilts.com, or call the Donald E. Stephens Convention and Conference Center at 857.692.2220.
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