The Atlanta Sewing and Quilting Expo is March 5, 6, and 7th. My youngest daughter and I are going on Thursday. We are excited!!
The only quilt world celebrities I have met are Jennifer Chiaverini (Elm Creek Quilt books author
http://www.elmcreek.net/ ) and Pat Sloan (pattern and fabric designer
http://patsloan.typepad.com/quiltershome/ ) Jennifer was at a quilt show in Lancaster PA that I attended. We chatted for a few minutes while she autographed a book for me. She seems really sweet and down to earth. Pat Sloan was a member of my guild in VA-she taught us a great class on machine applique once--she is really sweet and funny. She also gave us an awesome trunk show of some of her quilts. It is fun to "rub elbows" with the famous people of the quilt world.
Oh--I almost forgot. I have also met Judie Rothermel. She is the fabulous designer of lots of reproduction fabrics. She and her husband are at a lot of quilt shows.
http://www.schoolhousequilts.com/