I'm going!! Working out the details with my friend, and have plenty of time to build up my "stash cash"....for those things I see, and just know I can't possibly live without!

I've been to Road to Calif, Pacific Int'l Q Festival, and the show in Long Beach. All of these are held in large convention centers, hold classes for a full week. I'd recommend taking at least 1 class, but not to the point of loading up your schedule. It can easily be sensory overload, so give yourself plenty of processing time. One advantage to the big shows is comparison shopping. Say you're in the market for a light weight sewing machine to easily take to classes. All the brands will be there. You can comparison shop, make a decision, then go home and buy from your local vendor who will provide training and service support. Make a list of your shopping goals.

The classes are a great way to get a taste of a new technique and fabulous instructors. I've taken classes from instructors to decide who I'd spend 5 days with at Empty Spools or hire for local guild workshops. Since you have a friend there, maybe she can help with supplies, or choose a class that has a supply list package for a fee.

Another advantage is finding fabric that isn't carried in LQS. I'm an art quilter, so I hunt for hand dyes, ethnic fabrics and art fabrics, not mass produced.

Paying is interesting. The vendors are from all across the nation. If using a credit card, the charges appear to be from all over the nation on the same day. Due to credit fraud, my CC company, stopped allowing my card to be used. Back at home, my DH got the call and let me know. It was very embarrassing to retrace my steps and cover those purchases with cash. Anyone out there have a solution for this one?

Most of the quilts are eye candy to be enjoyed and not copied. It's almost intimadating how amazing they are. I've been honored to just get my quilt accepted.

These big shows introduce you to what's happening outside your back yard. Your imagination will go into overdrive. Take a camera.

I just had the credit card thing happen to me while in Paducah. A call to the credit card company can solve the problem. Next time, I think I'll call in advance to make sure that they don't put a security hold on mine for the duration of my trip.

I just came back from Paducah and was in Houston two years ago. If I had to pick between the two, I choose Houston. Here is why:
1. More entries at Paducah based off commercial patterns than Houston. I'm sure this varies year to year.
2. Only one venue in Houston while Paducah has activities all over town.
3. I think Houston has a better class selection.
4. When I was at Houston, there were more commercial venders, pattern designers. Paducah had more local quilt shops who rented a booth for the week. So in Houston I knew I could find my preferred needles at the manufacturer/distributor booth verses hunting in every vendor and still not finding them.
5. Houston divides the convention center in half. Quilts on one side, shopping on the other. Paducah co- mingles venders and exhibits. It's great marketing, but sometimes I do not want to dodge shoppers to study the entries.
6. Houston is open for extended hours. Paducah is 9-6.
7. Either one is a great experience and I hope to eventually produce a quilt that can be exhibited at both venues.

As far as budget, passes to both places are comparable, food, and spending money. It could be done for $100 plus airfare, or you could be a high roller and purchase a long arm for several $$$$.

(As always, these are my opinions, and yours may be different.)

There's a Mid-Atlantic Quilt show held every year in Hampton Va. Don't know how it compares to other shows. It has about 150 quilts and as many vendors. It cost under $20 to get in and each class between $35-75 plus materials. It's a 3 day event. I go 1 or 2 days. How much you want to spend depends on you. I budget what I won't go over.

I love the show. If you have the chance, go to a show just stick within a budget that you can live with.

Just take a good tote bag, and wear comfortable shoes. I moved from Houston just as they built the convention center where that show is now held. Haven't seen one there yet and i'd love to. I sent my girlfriend who still lives there some tickets for last years show. She took her daughter. Enjoy!!!

Call the bank BEFORE YOU GO and let them know you are traveling. They will want the dates and location(s). I had the same problem in Paducah in 2010, my card was declined and I had to call my credit union. Fortunately this was on a Friday and they were open. Hate to think what a pickle I would have been in if it had happened on a Saturday. I learned my lesson - went to Houston last October, called the bank before hand, had no problems at all. Doesn't matter if the vendors are from all over, the bank will take this into account.