Be Enlightened
NAMTA’s Art Materials World
Wednesday, May 1 through Friday May 3 • The Minneapolis Convention Center
by Tina Manzer
I don’t think there are better hosts for our industry than the Twin Cities. In Minneapolis alone, where Art Materials World will be held at the Convention Center (pictured here), creativity practically oozes out of the at least 25 art galleries, mix of museums and world-class art centers like the Highpointe Center for Printmaking, the Minnesota Center for Book Arts and the Northern Clay Center. Make sure to take that creativity back home with you.
 St. Paul has a similarly creative selection of artistic attractions; most notably Wet Paint. This amazing art materials store on Grand Avenue is run by Beth Bergman, who will be inducted in the NAMTA Hall of Fame at the show. “We are so excited about having NAMTA in the Twin Cities this spring,” Beth wrote on namta.org. “I have waited over 20 years for this to happen.” Her bulleted list of nearly 30 items called “Minneapolis News/Things to Do” can be found on NAMTA’s website; it should be required reading for anyone attending the show.
Don’t miss the President’s Reception at the Mill City Museum on Wednesday, and reserve your spot now (there’s a deadline) for NAMTA’s private tour of The Walker Art Center’s sculpture garden on Thursday.
Structured and informal educational opportunities are everywhere. Two sessions are scheduled on Tuesday afternoon before the show opens, and each day at the NAMTA booth, manufacturers and others will present programs designed to increase your knowledge and help your business grow. That’s not to mention the nearly 150 booth exhibits of new and innovative products.
For specific session topics and times, along with events and activities, take a look at the following schedule, or visit namta.org.
NAMTA Schedule
All educational sessions and exhibitor demonstrations are free of charge, and you do not need to register for them in advance.
MCC – Minneapolis Convention Center
HR – Hyatt Regency
NAMTA’s Booth spans the far end of the exhibit hall, from the 300 to 700 aisle.
Monday, April 29
8 a.m. to 6 p.m – Exhibitor Setup
Tuesday, April 30
7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m – Registration Open
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Exhibitor Setup
2 to 3 p.m – “Creating a Brand for Your Business” (MCC)
3:45 to 5 p.m – “How to Purchase Effectively” (MCC)
6 to 7:30 p.m. – International Attendees’ Reception (HR)
6 to 7:30 p.m – Next Generation Reception (Under 45) (HR)
Wednesday, May 1
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Registration Open
8:30 to 10 a.m. – General Session (MCC)
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Exhibit Hall Open
Programs in the NAMTA Booth
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. – “Holbein Artist Acrylics”
1 to 2 p.m. – “Using Painting Techniques on Grafix Dura-Lar Film”
2 to 3 p.m – “Online Marketing Strategies – Your Website Can Be Much More Profitable”
3:30 to 4:30 p.m – “Merchandising Your Canvas Department to Achieve Top Dollar!”
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. – “Prismacolor Celebrates 75 Years”
4:30 to 6 p.m – What’s Exciting in the Exhibit Hall (MCC)
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – President’s Welcome Reception for All Attendees – Mill City Museum
Thursday, May 2
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Registration Open
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Exhibit Hall Open
Programs in the NAMTA Booth
8 to 9 a.m. – “Avoid Redundant Testing” (for exhibitors only)
10:30 to 11:30 a.m – “Make an Impact with Multichannel Marketing”
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m – “Sell More Art Supplies by Selling Stencils”
1 to 2 p.m. – “What a Difference a Brush Makes!”
2 to 3 p.m. – “Creating a Great Place to Work”
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. – “Training on Demand”
Friday, May 3
8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Registration Open
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Exhibit Hall Open
Programs in the NAMTA Booth
10:30 to 11:30 a.m – “Create, Plan and Execute Effective In-Store Demonstrations”
11 a.m. to noon – “Stroke Techniques”
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