AQR Academy Live! – Pleasant Hill, Iowa (near Des Moines)
Date: April 19-21, 2022 – Registration Now Open
Join Heidi Kaisand, owner and publisher of American Quilt Retailer plus a lineup of special guests for 3 days full of learning and networking like no other. Acquire actionable insights, make new connections and gain the inspiration you need to disrupt your business and climb to success.
Conference Fee: $250 (Airfare, lodging and transportation to hotel not included. Conference is being held at hotel.)
Meals Included: Lunch (Tues., Wed., Thurs.), Dinner (Tues., Wed.), Continental Breakfast Daily
Location and Hotel: Sleep Inn & Suites – Pleasant Hill-Des Moines, 5850 Morning Star Court, Pleasant Hill, IA, 50327. Conveniently located near the Des Moines airport and major highways. Rooms are available for $98 a night. To secure this rate, reserve your room HERE.
Itinerary:
| Tuesday, April 19, 2022 | |
| 7:00-8:30 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8:30-9:30 a.m. | Welcome, Inspiration and Motivation: Heidi Kaisand and Beth Monpas |
| 9:30-11:00 a.m. | Fabric Round Up: Fabric reps from your favorite manufacturers show the latest collections and answer your questions. |
| 11:00-1:00 p.m. | Lunch / Open Discussion |
| 1:00-5:00 p.m. | Creating In-Store Experiences |
| Stephanie Brandenberg, Frond Designs: Store displays. | |
| Shelly Robson, Piece Tree Patterns: Do a pattern demo. | |
| Leann Anderson, The Whole Country Caboodle: Offer products beyond quilting – fusible aplique demo. | |
| Jill Shaulis, Yellow Creek Quilt Designs: Hosting teachers in your store. | |
| 6:00-8:00 p.m. | Dinner Sponsored by P&B Textiles. |
| Sommer Leigh, Sleigh Consulting talks about your mental health and how to deal with stress! | |
| 8:00 p.m. | Shop Talk |
| Wednesday, April 20, 2022 – Field Day! | |
| 7:00-8:00 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8:15 a.m. | Board the Bus |
| First Stop | Off The Rails, Bondurant: We will tour the shop and shipping room. |
| Second Stop | Lunch / Grundy Center |
| Visit with retailers (who are not quilt shop owners) and learn how they all work together to help each other prosper. There will be time to shop, explore and visit with store owners. | |
| Third Stop | Hen & Chicks Studio and The Nest Retreat Center, Conrad |
| Tour of shop and retreat center. View a Facebook Live being done. | |
| Fourth Stop | Dinner / That Place Steak House, Conrad – A true Iowa experience! |
| 8:00 p.m. | Shop Talk |
| Thursday, April 21, 2022 | |
| 7:00-8:00 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8:30-10:00 a.m. | Jody Sanders, Group Editor, Crafts Group, Meredith Premium Publishing at Dotdash Meredith, American Patchwork & Quilting |
| Consumer Trends 2022 | |
| 10:00-11:00 a.m. | Chris Nelson, Nelson Media: Video. It is important to your business. |
| 11:00-12:00 p.m. | Shop Talk / Review |
| 12:00-1:00 p.m. | Lunch / Karmen Hotchkiss, Level Up with Karmen – Reach your true potential! |
| 1:00-3:00 p.m. | Wrap up! |
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| Field Day Sponsor: Jaftex | Tuesday Dinner Sponsor: P&B Textiles |
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