BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//ChamberMaster//Event Calendar 2.0//EN METHOD:PUBLISH X-PUBLISHED-TTL:P1H REFRESH-INTERVAL:P1H CALSCALE:GREGORIAN BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Chicago BEGIN:DAYLIGHT RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;BYMONTH=3;BYDAY=2SU DTSTART:20070101T000000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:Central Daylight Time END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;BYMONTH=11;BYDAY=1SU DTSTART:20070101T000000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:Central Standard Time END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260716 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260717 TRANSP:TRANSPARENT X-MICROSOFT-CDO-ALLDAYEVENT:TRUE SUMMARY:Professional Development Day 2026 DESCRIPTION:Professional Development DayGain meaningful insight into working in the fiber‑craft industry. Whether you're just beginning to shape your business idea or you've been in the field for years\, there's always more to learn and plenty of ways we can grow and succeed together.July 16\, 2026 Guest House at GracelandMemphis\, TNWhat's IncludedEngaging speakers\, covering various professions within the fiber arts industryPanel discussionsNetworking opportunities\nTicket Price CGOA Members: $250Non-members: $450\nSpace is limited\; registration closes June 15 or once sold out.Venue - Schedule - Speakers - FAQ VenueGuest House at Graceland\nPDD registration does not include hotel stay. When you register\, you will be sent the CGOA booking link for the Guest House at Graceland so you can book your room\, at the rate of $189 (plus taxes) per night\, to enjoy the full on-site experience. Hotel guests can enjoy:Free airport shuttleNightly peanut butter and jelly sandwich bar at 9 p.m.Live music and complimentary Elvis moviesOutdoor swimming pool*There will also be CGOA (Ch Sp) Retreat occurring in-person at the same venue immediately after Professional Development Day. For more information\, and to register for the retreat\, click here.ScheduleThursday July 169:00am - 12:00pm: Morning introductions and speakers12:00pm - 2:00pm: Break2:00pm - 5:00pm: Afternoon speakers and panel discussion\nSpeaker Topics\nSwatching for Success: Extracting Every Insight from Your Gauge SwatchJulie DesjardinUse swatches as engineering tools to predict fit\, drape\, grading\, and yarn behavior before you design.\n\nProfessional Pattern Design: From Concept to CreationNatalie of Detroit KnotsTake the first step\, develop pathways to bring ideas into actual designs\, thinking critically about how to create something technically sound and marketable.\n\nPublishing Pathways: Traditional Publishers\, Indie Platforms\, and Smart Self-PublishingKaren WhooleyIndividual patterns to full books\, gain insight into various models for going from idea to marketplace with a successful launch. \n\nBuilding Your Crochet Business: Collaborating with Tech Editors\, Testers\, and Other ProfessionalsLindsey StephensLearn how to assemble and manage a reliable team to make your business run effectively and efficiently.\nPlus\, discussions onFinding your nicheSocial media and how to navigate what is best for youCreating club membershipsTime management and how to juggle it allStay tuned for the speaker reveals! You'll learn from an exceptional group of crochet professionals\, each bringing years of experience and a plethora of information. \nFAQQ: Can I attend if I am not a Professional?A: Yes! Anyone with interest is welcome. However\, if you are working in the industry this is agreat way to see how things are working for others.Q: Can I attend the Ch-Sp Retreat too?A: Yes! This is a stand-alone event\, and you can attend only the Professional Development ifyou wish. However\, if you are attending the Retreat the day ends with enough time to join theRetreat Welcome Reception that evening.Q: I have some specific questions\, will there be time to have them addressed?A: Yes! The speaker session has some specialized topics\, however all of our speakers haveworked in a wide scope within the industry. The afternoon panel discussion is a perfect time tohave any questions on any topic addressed.Q: What should I bring with me?A: A notebook\, a pen\, your questions\, and if you want to network with others business cardsdon't hurt.Q: Is lunch included?A: Lunch is not included.Q: Is hotel included?A: A hotel room is not included in your event ticket purchase. You can use the booking link inyour confirmation email to book a room at the hotel where the Professional Development Day will be held. Werecommend that for convenience. Q: I want to stay at a different hotel.A: We know that some attendees will want to stay elsewhere. That is fine. You do not have tostay at the hotel to attend.Q: What if I want to share a room with a friend?A: Since the hotel reservation is not part of your retreat ticket purchase\, you can make thatarrangement with the hotel directly.ScholarshipWe have limited funds available for scholarships. To apply for a scholarship fill out this form. Scholarship applications are due by Sunday\, April 5.Cancellation Policyon or before Apr 1\, 2026 will be refunded in total minus a $100 processing feeafter Apr 1\, 2026\, but on or before May 31\, 2026 will be refunded 50%no refunds after May 31\, 2026Questionscgoa@crochet.org X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:


Professional Development Day

Gain meaningful insight into working in the fiber‑craft industry. Whether you&rsquo\;re just beginning to shape your business idea or you&rsquo\;ve been in the field for years\, there&rsquo\;s always more to learn&mdash\;and plenty of ways we can grow and succeed together.

July 16\, 2026

 \;Guest House at Graceland

Memphis\, TN

What'\;s Included


Ticket Price \;


Space is limited\; registration closes June 15 or once sold out.

Venue - Schedule - Speakers - FAQ \;

Venue

Guest House at Graceland


PDD registration does not include hotel stay. When you register\, you will be sent the CGOA booking link for the Guest House at Graceland so you can book your room\, at the rate of $189 (plus taxes) per night\, to enjoy the full on-site experience. \;

Hotel guests can enjoy:

*There will also be \;CGOA (Ch Sp) Retreat \;occurring in-person at the same venue immediately after Professional Development Day. For more information\, and to register for the retreat\, \;click here.

Schedule

Thursday July 16


Speaker Topics


Swatching for Success: Extracting Every Insight from Your Gauge Swatch

Julie Desjardin

Use swatches as engineering tools to predict fit\, drape\, grading\, and yarn behavior&mdash\;before you design.



Professional Pattern Design: From Concept to Creation

Natalie of Detroit Knots

Take the first step\, develop pathways to bring ideas into actual designs\, thinking critically about how to create something technically sound and marketable.



Publishing Pathways: Traditional Publishers\, Indie Platforms\, and Smart Self-Publishing

Karen Whooley

Individual patterns to full books\, gain insight into various models for going from idea to marketplace with a successful launch. \;



Building Your Crochet Business: Collaborating with Tech Editors\, Testers\, and Other Professionals

Lindsey Stephens

Learn how to assemble and manage a reliable team to make your business run effectively and efficiently.


Plus\, discussions on

Stay tuned for the speaker reveals! You&rsquo\;ll learn from an exceptional group of crochet professionals\, each bringing years of experience and a plethora of information.

 \;


FAQ

Q: \;Can I attend if I am not a Professional?

A: Yes! Anyone with interest is welcome. However\, if you are working in the industry this is a

great way to see how things are working for others.

Q: Can I attend the Ch-Sp Retreat too?

A: Yes! This is a stand-alone event\, and you can attend only the Professional Development if

you wish. However\, if you are attending the Retreat the day ends with enough time to join the

Retreat Welcome Reception that evening.

Q: I have some specific questions\, will there be time to have them addressed?

A: Yes! The speaker session has some specialized topics\, however all of our speakers have

worked in a wide scope within the industry. The afternoon panel discussion is a perfect time to

have any questions on any topic addressed.

Q: What should I bring with me?

A: A notebook\, a pen\, your questions\, and if you want to network with others business cards

don&rsquo\;t hurt.

Q: Is lunch included?

A: Lunch is not included.

Q: Is hotel included?

A: A hotel room is not included in your event ticket purchase. You can use the booking link in

your confirmation email to book a room at the hotel where the Professional Development Day will be held. We

recommend that for convenience. \;

Q: I want to stay at a different hotel.

A: We know that some attendees will want to stay elsewhere. That is fine. You do not have to

stay at the hotel to attend.

Q: What if I want to share a room with a friend?

A: Since the hotel reservation is not part of your retreat ticket purchase\, you can make that

arrangement with the hotel directly.

Scholarship

We have limited funds available for scholarships. To apply for a scholarship fill out this form. Scholarship applications are due by Sunday\, April 5.

Cancellation Policy

Questions




LOCATION:3600 Elvis Presley Blvd Memphis TN 38116 UID:e.4276.1399140 SEQUENCE:3 DTSTAMP:20260407T011858Z URL:https://crochetguildofamericacgoa.growthzoneapp.com/events/Details/professional-development-day-2026-1653042?sourceTypeId=Hub END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR