Craft Focus - Dec/Jan (Issue 70)

Tell us a little about the history of Creativation. The Association for Creative Industries’ annual conference and trade show has been taking place for 78 years. The event has evolved through the decades, but the essentials remain the same: it provides business-to-business networking, sales and education for our members. This will be the third year that the event has been produced as Creativation. The new name was born during our move from Anaheim to Phoenix as a way to revamp the show from the ground up, providing an experience for all participants and welcoming them back home each year. What does your work involve? My role as vice president of events and education is to develop and execute the strategic plans for the Association’s events and education programme. The job can’t be done without the help of the entire staff. Together, we aim to provide products and services for our members that will educate, facilitate connections and inspire them to grow successful businesses. Creativation is an annual event that encompasses all of these factors. We provide an extensive conference programme which consists of business seminars and product education. We design special events the show floor that encourage networking. We also have initiatives that focus on new products and innovation. Was last year’s show a success? While participating numbers were slightly down from the year before, the feedback that we received from both exhibitors and attendees would deem it a successful event. How are plans shaping up for the 2019 show? Planning is well underway! We are filling up the floorplan now and working on our new ‘Home of Creativity’ theme. All our exhibitors are encouraged to participate by using their space to visually represent how consumers are using their products at home. We sometimes hear from retailers that they don’t understand a concept or product and are unable to instruct their consumers on how these items can be applied to their craft. We think that by implementing this new theme, retailers will be educated on the value of purchasing products they may not have considered in the past. What advice would you give to retailers who are planning to attend? Do your homework. Learn about Phoenix and its surroundings and make the most of your visit when you are there. The city has so much to offer including entertaining attractions, Andria Gibbon, vice president of events and education at AFCI, tells us what’s coming up at the 2019 edition of Creativation the world’s stage 17 th -21 st January 2019 Phoenix Convention Center Phoenix, Arizona craft focus 65 interview