Just an observation based on recent events and emails I receive

Posted on by quiltedl

Inflation and the economy are impacting quilty travel and shows.

Local events seem to be doing quite well. Our local quilt shows and expos this spring have been PACKED. Crafters, sewists and quilters are eager to get back out there again. QuiltCon was very well attended. I heard several vendors sold out of products after the first day. I ran into local folks who’d planned to spend the night at the Westin but changed their minds after getting the hotel rates. They’d rather spend their money shopping than on a hotel room. Can’t say I blame them.

Regional events that require travel seem to be struggling.

AQS is still advertising availability for classes in Paducah later this month. Not this year for me.

Nova Montgomery still has availability in her April Featherweight class in Paducah. This class ALWAYS sells out.

Mancuso Show Management keeps sending me emails about classes still available for Quilfest in Greenville. Nope.

Sew Daily is hosting a sewing retreat in Colorado that’s apparently not sold out. They keep sending me emails with discount codes to sign up. Maybe if I could snag a $59 fare on Southwest.

Sew Magical Expo is starting to advertise for the Nashville event in late June. It’s being held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel (where hotel rates for those dates are currently showing as $289/night plus taxes and resort fees). Very intrigued by this event. It’s about 4 hours away and I could easily stay at a different, less expensive hotel and commute in daily like a local. We’ll see what the classes look like and who’s vending.

Stitchin’ Heaven sends me daily emails for about cruises still available. Nope. Not into cruising.

The John C. Campbell Folk School keeps sending me emails and mailers to come back for a class. Drop the prices and maybe I will.

Just my opinion:

When a Hilton Garden Inn/Hampton Inn/Home2Suites hotel room is $250-$300/night with all taxes/fees included, I tend to think twice about going to that event. I really wanted to attend Mountain Quiltfest again this year. I have enough rewards to cover 2 nights of hotel, so I chose classes/events to maximize my limited time there. Yes, I could get a hotel for under $100, but based on what I saw online, I’m not staying there.

A fellow quilter who attended a Campbell Folk School class with me in 2017 remarked how much she’d love to return, but the prices have increased so much, it no longer makes sense for her to go. I agree 100%.

I will most definitely splurge when the situation calls for it. I’m attending the Georgia Sweet Peaches Quilt Retreat in mid-July at Brasstown Valley Spa and Resort. I thought about driving up the day before, but why spend the money on a hotel room when I can get a spa treatment instead? I’ll gladly make time for a facial before returning home, even if the facial is scheduled after the retreat ends. It’s only a 90 minute drive from my house.

I already know of two trips I plan to take in 2024, once of which is to QuiltCon in Raleigh, NC. As I’ve done at previous events, I’ll stay out in the suburbs and commute in every day. Two half-days is usually enough for me, but I’ll want to be there for the keynote address, so I’m planning on at least 4 days/3 nights, including travel.

There are other quilty trips out West I’m sure I’ll want to take, but until travel costs get more reasonable, I’m going to have to think twice before signing up.

What are you seeing for quilting/sewing events in your area?

2 thoughts on “Just an observation based on recent events and emails I receive”

  1. The cost of everything feels insane. I try to attend teacher and librarian conventions, but this year I had to apply for travel scholarships and only won one, because everyone else had to apply too.

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