With the ever-growing versatility of the Owensboro Convention Center serving as everything from wedding venue to corporate dinner location, more and more out of town business and trade shows are seeking Owensboro as an exhibition location.
When Everything Embroidery Market President Chasity Witt and associated vendors were considering a location for their upcoming vinyl and embroidery trade show, Owensboro had an immediate appeal.
“It’s our first time being this far north. It is our first time coming to Kentucky at all,” Witt said.
“We’re excited to come to Owensboro — we thought it was the cutest little town.”
Witt said trade show attendees are composed of primarily women so the company chooses smaller cities that help the women visiting to feel safer in the surrounding environment. According to Witt, Owensboro was also an ideal choice because it is fairly close to Nashville and would draw from an already established audience in Evansville.
The hope was also that Kentucky-based vendors such as Ruffle Girl out of Elizabethtown would attract faithful customers.
While Witt said Everything Embroidery is excited about the location and the weekend, the attendance numbers so far have been a little disappointing and much lower than other conventions.
“We typically have 1,000 to 1,200 attendees that come and we only have 300 signed up so far. We are hoping to get a big push of local attendees,” Witt said, adding that these shows typically bring in people from all over the area, but the lack of a local international airport may have affected numbers as well.
Witt, who began doing embroidery 10 years ago for her daughter, has found her passion in helping other women discover the courage and confidence to start a business while staying at home and bringing in an income for their family.
In its 5th year, Witt said this particular show is not for those who are looking to purchase already embroidered or applied vinyl items, but more for those who already embroider, apply vinyl or want to learn more about either skill. The show will carry everything from blanks and fabric to vinyl and supplies, as well as equipment such as cutters, heat presses and embroidery machines.
“If they are experienced or they have an interest in learning how to do it [embroidery or vinyl], this show is the perfect place for them,” Witt said. “We have vendors with all the equipment, supplies and blanks. Our show also has classes on lots of different topics for the industry. We have classes for how to grow their business on social media, as well as new techniques and faster ways to do things.”
The show runs Thursday and Friday with the full schedule available here.
There will be a Derby hat social Thursday night, which includes sweets and a runway style Derby hat contest that allows those in attendance to casually “socialize with like-minded people.” Those wishing to participate in the contest should have their hats prepared ahead of time.
Tickets are $28, which covers admission for both days, as well as the Derby social, and can be purchased at the door.
The trade-show floor will be open from 9:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 2 and 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 3. There will be a closing ceremony with prize drawings beginning at 2:45 p.m. on Friday. Check-in and on-site registration will be available on Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. – noon.
