We are going to DeLand, FL this weekend where I'll pick up a pattern. Then we travel to PA, but it's normally eight hours a day on the road with stops only for meals/gas. So mostly, I will visit northwestern PA shops and southwestern NY shops. According to the rules, it began on July 1. There's a completed quilt contest that goes with the 'experience.'
I can understand the shops not wanting their pattern (which they designed) shared or sent by mail. It will be fun to see what each shop comes up with.