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Connect at Quilt Market

American Quilt Retailer is returning with Better Homes & Gardens American Patchwork & Quilting for another Schoolhouse Series at this spring’s Quilt Market!

The Spring International Quilt Market is May 18-20 in Portland, Oregon, and the Schoolhouse Series will feature three classes on Thursday, May 17.

Editor of AQR and shop owner Heidi Kaisand will be joined by editor of American Patchwork & Quilting Jody Sanders and Roseann Kermes to feature three classes.

The first class of the Schoolhouse Series covers something we all wish we had more of; time. Owning a small business can make it difficult to reach business goals and often interferes with our personal lives. This session will cover organizing, delegating, and making essential decisions to run your business.

The second session is as dynamic as the people running it. Editors Kaisand and Sanders will cover information for consumers and shop owners alike through topics like color options and products to inspire customers.

Lastly, Heidi Kaisand is again joined by Roseann Kermes to share how to make a staff operate like a well-oiled machine. A team that works well together makes victories so much easier to obtain, and thus an even more successful business that everyone can reap the benefits from.

Finally for the part you’ve all been waiting for… AQR is happy to announce the now-legendary blue bags are back, and the first 400 people to attend the Schoolhouse Series will receive one filled with information and product in exchange for a business card.

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Just some of the product to be featured in the blue bags AQR will hand our during their Schoolhouse Series at the Spring International Quilt Market in Portland Oregon.

If you so happen to be sticking around the Quilt Market, feel free to stop by American Quilt Retailer’s booth at 839 and talk to editor Heidi Kasiand about how we can make the issue better for you.  We love feedback—and conversations with other small business owners, too.


If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you.

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Join AQR at the Schoolhouse Series

Screen Shot 2017-10-23 at 7.48.30 PMIf you’ve been following us on Facebook (which we hope you have!) then you know all about how we’ve been gearing up for the International Fall Quilt Market.

This year we’re excited to offer a forum called the Schoolhouse Series the day before the Market opens on October 27. This fun-filled eight hours includes three different classes and an opportunity to spend time with manufacturers, retailers, and publishers to discuss the latest books, products, and techniques.

Joining Heidi Kaisand, editor of AQR, will be editor of renowned magazine American Patchwork and Quilting Jody Sanders. You can find both of them at the Market at booth 1442, or at the first of the classes offered through their Schoolhouse Series where they offer insight on the industry’s must-have trends.Screen Shot 2017-10-26 at 8.20.47 PM

Other classes where you can find Kaisand and Sanders include 15 marketing tips in 30 minutes where they share techniques to push your retail business to the next level, as well as You’re Hired! You’re Fired! A class with guest Roseann Kermes all about managing employees.

Also at the Fall Market will be the newest edition to the team! AQR is ecstatic to have Kristi Loeffelholz Edwards join the team as business-to-business media director. Loeffelholz has extensive design, publishing, and ecommerce experience in Fons and Porter and previously served as Vice President/General Manager of F+W Media. Loeffelholz also joins us from American Patchwork and Quilting.

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If this hasn’t been enough to convince you to come to Houston, hopefully our Blue Bag program will. We’re driving all the way from Iowa to Texas with 400 bags stuffed with goodies to give away during our Schoolhouse Series, and at our booth. But once we’re out, we’re out! Register today to secure your Blue Bag (and visit our Facebook page to get a sneak peak of what’s inside)!

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet the people behind some of your favorite craft magazines. Join in the fun at both the Schoolhouse Series and the International Fall Quilt Market this weekend.


If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you.