The WCAF Expo, held from January 27-30, 2013 at the Mirage Resort & Casino, is the largest trade show in the art and framing industry, with a continually expanding roster of leading vendors and educational seminars. Now in its 14th year and located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, the trade show occupies more than 100,000 square ft. of the Mirage’s state-of-the art convention facility.
The Mirage’s Las Vegas location was chosen to enhance the Expo’s appeal for those who can enjoy the multitude of world class restaurants and entertainment options.
A highlight of this year’s Expo will be the many new products and releases available from almost 200 of the most popular vendors in the art and framing industry. Modern and traditional artwork will be displayed in many styles, along with the newest lines of exhibitor moulding, equipment, and framing supplies. Software manufacturers and insurance providers, will also be represented. A large number of returning vendors are expanding their booths to showcase even more of their products. In addition, many new vendors are joining the trade show this year, furthering the WCAF Expo’s status as the premier industry trade show in North America.
Exhibitors return year after year, recognizing the importance of participating in the trade show so they can increase sales and build brand recognition among a growing audience of international attendees. Alan Yaffe, president of Peterboro Cardboards, said, “We’ve had framers from the U.S. and Canada along with international visitors from South America, Mexico, and Europe buying products at our booth. This show continues to grow with the international framing community.”
Deborah Salmon, trade show director, says, “We are the leading advocate of new business development in the framing industry and our commitment to our attendees’ success is at the forefront of the West Coast Art & Frame Expo. The expo continues to draw new attendees and the vendors and educators who serve them. Events and activities are tailored to meet the needs of all who attend, with the goal of helping to build both their skills and ultimately their bottom line.”
The National Conference, the foremost educational event, features more than 90 lectures and workshops covering basic to advanced techniques on everything from frame design to sales, marketing, and retailing strategies. New classes will focus on emerging technologies, including innovative Internet tools such as Wordpress and Etsy, social media outlets, and website design. There will also be informative sessions that cover improving front counter sales, working with designers, and using new products and services to grow your business.
“All the classes are very informative. I think frame shop and gallery owners should attend this show every year to stay on top of what’s new in the framing industry. It definitely helps my business,” said Diane Dodge, owner of Diane’s Frame Shoppe in Rhineland, WI.
This year, the guided tour of the Production Pavilion for OEMs will once again be held prior to the trade show’s Monday opening. Another exciting new addition will be Design Star: Framing Edition!, a special event presented by Larson-Juhl, giving framers an opportunity to submit digital photos of their best frame designs to share with their peers. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Monday, January 28, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Also, The WCAF Expo and National Conference will once again host the PPFA 2013 Annual Convention.
The National Conference class schedule is complete and the National Conference Brochure is included with the December issue of Picture Framing Magazine. All attendees who are interested in signing up for seminars are encouraged to register immediately.
For more information on the WCAF Show, visit www.wcafshow.com. For information on the National Conference, visit www.pfmseminars.com/nc.
PPFA 2013 Annual Convention Set for Las Vegas
The Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA) will hold its annual convention January 26-30, 2013, at the Mirage Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas – concurrent with the 13th annual West Coast Art & Frame Expo/National Conference (WCAF), sponsored by Picture Framing Magazine.
PPFA is offering exclusive discounts for members to purchase a PPFA All Convention Pass along with a WCAF National Conference VIP Pass. Individual pricing and non-member pricing for classes are also available.
Members may begin the registration process on November 1, 2012. Visit www.ppfa.com and choose your PPFA 2013 events, speakers, and topics. Then click through to the registration site, handled by the WCAF Expo, and use the Coupon Code PPFA13 at checkout.
Suzanne Smeaton, gallery director at Eli Wilner & Company in New York, will be the keynote speaker at the PPFA member meeting on Sunday, January 27. Her presentation, sponsored by Larson-Juhl, will showcase the re-creation of the original, monumental nineteenth-century frame for “Washington Crossing the Delaware” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, from working with curators and period photographs to crafting, carving, and gilding the frame and to the final delivery and installation. During the conference, she will also present a session on the History of Frames, also sponsored by Larson-Juhl.
The roster of additional PPFA educators includes such experts as: Kirstie Bennett, Ellen Collins, Jared Davis, David Lantrip, Rob Markoff, Joyce Michels, Jim Miller, Chris Paschke, Hugh Phibbs, Linda Pujo, and Ron Stark.
Classes will feature technical framing topics including building 3-D glass shadowboxes; the effects of UV light on artwork; striplining and stretching canvas; preservation physics and chemistry; a hands-on sewing/lacing/couching session; and preserving/framing animation cels, military memorabilia, high-end giclée prints. PPFA will also offer sessions on other popular topics including creative uses of Photoshop in the frame shop; marketing with e-newsletters; and how to manage the “Social Media Beast.”
Ten of the sessions will meet requirements for MCPF Continuing Education Credit. These sessions will be on topics of interest to all framers and open to all to attend. Courses for PPFA members interested in becoming competition judges as well as current judges interested in updating their credentials will be available. PPFA will also offer a full spectrum of Certification courses and exams for framers.
The annual Chapter Leaders Conference will be held on Saturday, January 26.
Judging of the International Open and Print Framing Competition will be held on Saturday, January 26. Framers can vote for Popular Choice awards. Winners will be honored at a reception on Wednesday,
January 30.
PPFA will also repeat its hugely popular Welcome Reception & Vendor Tabletop Showcase on Sunday evening, providing an opportunity for members to get a preview of several trade show vendors.
“Running the PPFA Convention concurrent with WCAF was a huge success last January, and we’re looking forward to another fantastic event in 2013,” says PPFA President Ron Mason. “I’ve attended nearly all of our Annual Conventions in the past 25 years as a PPFA member, and I’ve yet to leave without learning something that made me a better framer and improved my income.”
For more information, visit www.ppfa.com.
|
