I am fortunate that a friend & I have been going to the IQF for the past 5 years.
Some tips:
1. Bring extra really lightweight shopping bags that you can put the stuff you buy in. Last year the fee was $1 to check each bag. It's $1 every time you need to go back & add stuff to one of the bag. There is no fee for retrieving them, but you must have your receipts for the bags.
2. Vendors do give away those type bags, but better be quick or they will be gone.
3. Buy a program. It is the absolute best way to find the vendors.
4. No wheeled carts are allowed in the vendor area. The show personnel have insisted you take them out in prior years.
5. The Starbucks is on the second floor on the way out to the parking garage. I only visit Starbucks once a year, but I visit it Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday. It's a great way to end the day.
6. There are some bargains to be had Sunday. Think expensive quilt kits, sewing machines, quilting machines, etc
7. A lot of the show quilts are under a no picture ban and they mean it.
8. The lunch area looks VERY big, but get there early or wait until later. About noon, the lines get very long.
9. All the days are crowded. There is no best day to go
10. You will never see everything, not even all the vendors in a single day.
11. All the shows back in the theatre area are a lot of fun, especially Eleanor Burns.
Biggest tip: Have fun!!!