ACOT Message Board

This will be my first CHA and i'm wondering of anyone has tips or tricks for being at the show?

What to wear, what to do?

What about some great places to eat in chicago?

Wear comfortable shoes, above all else! It's huge.

Dress in layers. The temperature can fluctuate.

Leave room in your suitcase to bring home the make and takes and other assorted stuff you might get.

pack an extra bag!

Take me with you!

I'm sorry I can't help you because I have never been to one.

do not take a rolling tote and run over other peoples toes. there are not as many freebies, and a tote bag is enough. Even if you fill one, most freebies ARE tote bags
(unless you are a buyer and are collecting catalogs.)

eat before or after noon. The lines are INSANE right at lunch time.

take the map. It makes it easier.

be respectful when doing make n takes. There are long lines for some of them, and watching someone just chatting is frustrating.

ask at the booths before taking pictures. Most allow, but some do not.



my 2 BIGGEST pieces of advice



1) stop by KaiserCraft. They are Australian and I just go there to listen to their accents.

2) stop by American Crafts and demand navy blue thickers. I do this every year. One day they are going to listen

I wish I could help but have never been to a crafty convention but in my younger days (when I was in beauty school) I used to go to beauty shows/conventions and from that experience I would have to say definately dress comfortable it's gonna be a long day and if you see a new technique being done take time to watch and hopefully learn. Have a safe trip and can't wait to hear how it was.

I pack an expandable bag in my suitcase and I fill it only with those catalogs I know I am going to use to refer to. I use that as my second carry on so keep it light.

I try new things that I might not ordinarily do. Pam and I did some cool swirl jewelry last year and I wear my necklace all the time. I love the product line and have told others about it.

I eat lunch away from the convention center or bring something to eat...the food there can be very expensive and I bring my own bottled water.

I also try to hit booths other than just scrapping and ink and I always go by Tim Holtz and watch him demo...

Cool thread! It's my first one, too!

Never been to one, so I have no tips for you - but I do have a question for some of the other ladies....


Can anyone go to CHA or is it just for companies/dt's, etc.?



Obviously, I'm not going this time - but I thought if it was open to anyone I might have to plan a trip to one sometime and hopefully, meet up with all the awesome cherry gals!

Monroe1218 wrote:Never been to one, so I have no tips for you - but I do have a question for some of the other ladies....


Can anyone go to CHA or is it just for companies/dt's, etc.?



Obviously, I'm not going this time - but I thought if it was open to anyone I might have to plan a trip to one sometime and hopefully, meet up with all the awesome cherry gals!

Great question and I would also love to go if it is open to the public. I am only 2 1/2 hours away from Chicago. Would love to make that trip.

Sorry, I don't know anything about eating there. If you tell me where it's being held, I can ask some of my coworkers Monday--they will know all the good spots in town...and I'm sure there are lots of ladies on the boards here who can give you good recommendations.

I had the same question--can anybody go? Is it like other scrapbook conventions and open to the public?

If so, I suggest that next year ACOT put together a CHA package with hotel room, tiki bar (oh, we HAVE to have that, Ladies!!), meet and greet, CHA tickets, etc. all for us Cherries. I don't do Chicago--I'm terrified of big cities, but for CHA with other Cherries, I think I might just put on my big girl panties and head north on I-57!!

If you are a buyer and are flying in, bring a extra bag that you can bring home as hand luggage for the catalogs. Otherwise you'll have to pay a load for overweight on your trip home. Have fun and take as much pictures as you can, but as someone else mentioned over ask first. You will se so much great stuff and there will be so much inspiration. most off all HAVE FUN and ENJOY

I was going to say "take me with you" too!!! LOL!! Have lots of fun!!

Thank you so much for the tips so far.

Anyone from Chicago that has a great place to eat to share?