Updated November 28, 2017
I created these graphs and charts using the data that Quilts, Inc. reports in their newsletter after each show.
Statistics for Spring Quilt Market are hard to compare year to year because the venue shifts from city to city. Some venues can hold more booths and attendees than others, and some cities attract higher attendance numbers than others. Still what we’re seeing here is a undeniable overall decline in enrollment, exhibitor numbers, and number of booths. The Spring 2017 show, for example, was the lowest in all three categories since 2010.
This graph shows Fall Market which is more statistically stable because it’s always in Houston.
Credentials were tightened for Spring 2014 Market which explains the larger drop in attendance numbers from 2013 to 2014. Still, attendance, exhibitor and booth numbers continue to fall.
Fall Market 2017 was the smallest we’ve seen after a decade of slow decline. The show now has 30% fewer people enrolled than it did in 2008. There are 17% fewer exhibitors and 13% fewer booths.
Date | Enrolled | Exhibitors | Booths | |
Fall 2008 | 3321 | 551 | 1144 | |
Fall 2009 | 3131 | 535 | 1045.5 | |
Fall 2010 | 3531 | 572 | 1140 | |
Fall 2011 | 3531 | 556 | 1152 | |
Fall 2012 | 3395 | 559 | 1177.5 | |
Fall 2013 | 3395 | 559 | 1177.5 | |
Fall 2014 | 2933 | 537 | 1168 | |
Fall 2015 | 2634 | 514 | 1163 | |
Fall 2016 | 2557 | 487 | 1085 | |
Fall 2017 | 2336 | 454 | 1019 | |