What days are those expos...in Des Moines. I was planning on going to that one too, but wasnt sure what the dates were. I am originally from Des Moines. In talked to a sewing technician in a quilt store one day and he works on machines for people and he told me that HQ were great machines and parts were really good on them. That is also a reason I bought a HQ Avante and also made in USA ..that helps.