when people talk about going to Market...
 

Is it open to everyone or only dealers? I've been curious, think it would be fabulous to attend one sometime.

the quilt market is a trade show and only for those in the industry such as quilt shop owners, fabric manufacturers, fabric sales reps, etc. it is not open to the general public. you should be able to google quilt market trade show and get more information on what it is and isn't. good luck.

I have been to one. I didn't know it was for trade people only and went in. I guess they thought I was suppose to be there no one stopped me. The booths are pretty but geared to selling mass patterns, fabrics, and books orders to stores. I can see why it isn't open to the public and have no desire to go to another one.

I believe there is a public Quilt Show after the spring market in Chicago and the fall market in Houston.

If you would like to go to a major show ... Houston in the Fall and Cincinatti ( formerly Chicago) in the spring both of these are organized by the same organization. Houston has a portion of the show just for retailers that takes place a few days before the public part of the show. The same group added a show in California. Padukah in April is a great show by a differnent group.
I have been to Market .. it is a bit frustrating as a regular consumer since you can not buy anything .. you must be a retailer. It was fascinating.

That's what I was thinking, that it was more for dealers and industry people to buy in bulk. I was just curious if they had free samples and stuff like at vendor shows for other industries. I've heard so much about "going to Market" that it sort of has a mystical feel to it...LOL

There are free samples and there is a separate ticketed event called "sample spree" that involves being able to obtain unreleased fabrics. I don't know whether folks pay full price or not at sample spree. Sometimes quilting bloggers will go if they want to write a book, design fabric or patterns in the near future. It's a chance to network and get to know folks who can help you achieve your quilty business goals. I've never been personally, but I have friends who have gone and I read the blog posts about it in blogland