The 2011 CHA Winter Show Award Winners Announced

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) today announced the award winners of the 2011 CHA Winter Show, including the Innovations Showcase, Golden Press Kit, Designer Press Kit, Exhibiting with Excellence Awards as well as the two new innovations awards the Innovation in Retail Award and the Most Innovative CHA Designer Award.  Each award was presented at the 2011 CHA Winter Convention & Trade Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center in California.

These coveted awards represent the industry's most prestigious recognition for product innovation, trade show exhibition, retail innovation and press kit design. Judged by CHA staff and a celebrity panel of judges including Deborah Norville (Premier Yarn & Inside Edition), Candy Spelling (CHA Craft Ambassador), Craig Nakano (The Los Angeles Times), Terri O (Super Simple With Terri O TV), Julie McGuffee (Scrapbook Memories TV), and Jenny Barnett-Rohrs (CraftTestDummies.com).  CHA member companies were recognized for their outstanding contributions to craft and hobby industry.

INNOVATIONS SHOWCASE WINNERS

The Innovations Showcase brought together the newest ideas and most innovative products from exhibiting companies. Retailers, CHA members, CHA consultants and members of the press attending the show voted and selected the best products of the Show, as well as the "Overall Best Innovation." The winners are:

EXHIBITING WITH EXCELLENCE

The CHA Exhibiting with Excellence Awards were presented to companies whose dynamic displays, merchandising techniques and inviting staff enhance the overall atmosphere of the Show floor. Voted on by members of the press, consultants, and CHA staff, the judging criteria included use of floor space, visual appeal of exhibitor booths, and overall presence and friendliness of staff. Three winners were chosen:

PRESS KIT AWARD COMPETITION WINNERS

Several exhibiting manufacturers vied for top place in the Golden Press Kit competition, which awards the design/content, creativity and thoroughness of each company's press kit. CHA Designer members also had a chance to display their press kit innovations as part of the Designer Press Kit competition. Members of the press selected the following winners:

CHA INNOVATIONS AWARDS

This year CHA introduced two new awards to recognize excellence in craft project design and innovation in craft retail.  The winner of the 2011 CHA Innovation in Retail Award is presented to the Crop Show in Rockland, MA.  The recipient of the Most Innovative CHA Designer Award was presented to Jenn Cushman for her "A Bird in the Hand Project."

ABOUT THE CRAFT & HOBBY ASSOCIATION

The Craft & Hobby Association in an international, not-for-profit trade association consisting of thousands of member companies engaged in the design, manufacture, distribution and retail sales of products in the $28 billion U.S. craft and hobby industry.  For more information about www.craftandhobby.org.

SOURCE The Craft & Hobby Association