American Quilter's Society books three events at Ocean Center
Posted On: January 27, 2015
American Quilter’s Society, the largest quilting membership organization in the world, is bringing its AQS QuiltWeek event to the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach Feb. 24 - 27, 2016. The events are also booked at the county-run convention center for 2017 and 2018. Each event is expected to draw 15,000 attendees.
“We’ve been reaching out to the American Quilter’s Society for several years and we are thrilled to bring their premier events to Daytona Beach,” said Ocean Center Director Don Poor. “This is a great piece of business because not only does it bring thousands of people to the area for several days, it provides a quality event for the community and region to enjoy.”
Hundreds of quilts will be on display with prizes awarded for quilting excellence. In addition, AQS QuiltWeek will host a series of workshops with some of the top talent in the quilt industry and an extensive Merchant Mall composed of local and national vendors.
“AQS looks for convention centers in communities where art and culture are part of the fiber of the community,” said Executive Show Director Bonnie Browning. "Daytona Beach has a convention center with the right size exhibit hall and number of meeting rooms for our event. We like to be the only event happening at the facility when we are there. The Ocean Center meets all of our criteria, and the fact that it is on the beach doesn't hurt either. It is a great location for northern quilters to spend a week in sunny Florida, and southern quilters will be able to attend an event closer to where they live. We look forward to holding AQS QuiltWeek® in Daytona in 2016, 2017 and 2018.”
QuiltWeek – Daytona Beach will feature many special exhibits intended to provide inspiration and entertainment for quilters attending the event. AQS-certified quilt appraisers will be available to appraise new and antique quilts for insurance replacement or fair market values. The event is open to the public.
AQS presented its first quilt show and contest in 1984 in Paducah, Kentucky, and has expanded to produce seven QuiltWeek events in 2015 and eight in 2016. The QuiltWeek 30th anniversary season in 2014 attracted 133,000 attendees, including quilters, crafters and fiber art enthusiasts.
For more information on the American Quilter’s Society, visit www.americanquilter.com or call 270-898-7903.
Learn more about the Ocean Center and its upcoming events at www.oceancenter.com.
