Besides the obvious opportunity to see and order new products, store owners can network and attend various business-boosting events as well as hear speakers on topics ranging from finance to how the digital era is impacting scrapbooking and other crafts. Specific to the scrapbooking industry, the executive editor of Scrapbooking Retailer magazine, Beth Mauro, will join Memory Makers magazine executive editor Beth Williams will speak, as will Renee Pearson, who is affiliated with Creating Keepsakes’ Digital Scrapbooking Magazine. Wendy Smedley of Simple Scrapbooks will also speak.

Not all scrapbook store owners attend both CHA shows (CHA West is typically held in Anaheim in January), but many do. If you go, be on the lookout for show specials and up-and-coming trends, and be sure to read our article on scrapbooking retailer trade show tips.