I belong to a guild co-founded by Mimi Dietrich. I was program chair for two different guilds for at least 5 years and was a member of our local Professional quilting network for a while as a handquilter for hire. Many of the pros I booked were local to the Mid-Atlantic region. I have met and talked personally with Carol Doak, Jinny Beyer, Mimi Dietrich of course, Norma Campbell, Linda Poole, Trudie Hughes and I met Alex Anderson at a large quilt show. There are a lot of others that are not known natially but teach at most of the regional quilt shows here on the east coast. Most quilt teachers, designers etc. are really great people.