Sessions and Leaders
With something of interest for everyone from the beginner to the expert, choose from more than 100 Sessions taught by innovative Fiber Art Leaders. Sessions vary from 90 minute seminars to three day workshops and include topics on weaving, spinning, dyeing, basket making, felting, sewing, professional development and more.
Seeking Convergence® Leader Proposals for 2024
The Convergence® Leader Selection committee seeks a diverse selection of proposals. We are looking to offer our conference participants a variety of beginner, intermediate and advanced seminars and workshops from traditional fiber arts experiences to ones that are new, innovative and unique to Convergence®.
| Location: | Hyatt Regency Wichita |
| Wichita, Kansas, U.S.A. | |
| Dates: | July 11-17, 2024 |
| Apply By: | March 30, 2023 |
| Selection Notice: | by June 30, 2023 |
Interested in being a Keynote Speaker?
HGA is seeking proposals for a Keynote presentation. Proposed keynotes will be evaluated based on overall quality, relevance to the industry, well-defined focus and objectives, relevance and timeliness of the topic, originality of material, and educator qualifications (including the level of speaking experience and expertise). The keynote must be educational in nature and should engage the audience through humor, inspiration, or expertise.
Leader Proposal Guidelines
The Handweavers Guild of America’s (HGA) mission is to educate, support and inspire the fiber art community. One of the ways we do this is with Convergence®, our biennial international fiber arts conference attracting more than 1,500 participants for a multi-faceted experience with exhibitions, shopping, fashion show, tours, workshops, seminars, lectures, and more. At the heart of Convergence® is the Sessions, taught by the world’s leading fiber arts instructors as well as those that are up-and- coming in the field, known as Convergence® Leaders.
Convergence® Sessions are offered in the following formats:
- 90-Minute Seminars are generally an oral session in a lecture format or a very simple project. Seminars usually require the participant to bring minimal supplies such as pen and paper and generally have no materials fee.
- 3-Hour Seminars are either an in-depth lecture or an introductory hands-on “how-to” course designed to give participants skills or knowledge to take back and implement at
- 1-Day, 2-Day and 3-Day Workshops offer 6, 12 or 18 hours of in-depth exploration of the subject matter with hands-on instruction. Workshops may require pre-conference preparation by the participant. Workshops will have limited enrollment to provide participants with a more engaging Note: HGA accepts a limited number of 3-Day Workshops.
The Convergence® Leader Selection committee seeks a diverse selection of proposals. We are looking to offer our conference participants a variety of beginner, intermediate and advanced Sessions to choose from including traditional fiber arts experiences and Sessions that are new, innovative, and unique to Convergence®. Approximately 65% of Convergence® participants have attended past conferences so new and innovative Sessions will be welcomed. Participants come from all over the United States and from around the world. HGA will assist attendees who are traveling from afar with loom rentals, but availability will be limited. When planning your Session, please keep in mind the restrictions that travel may impose on participants’ ability to bring supplies for your proposed Session.
Proposed Sessions will be evaluated based on overall quality, relevance to the industry, well- defined focus and objectives, practical applications of the material, relevance and timeliness of the topic, originality of material, hands-on learning for immediate application, and educator qualifications (including the level of speaking experience and expertise). Each Session must be educational in nature. It is not acceptable to use a Session to advertise a program, product, or service for sale. Convergence® Leaders are expected to comply with copyright law in selecting materials and images for their Sessions and are responsible for their permission of use in HGA’s marketing materials.
Non-Compete. HGA does not impose any restrictions on teaching the same Session outside of Convergence®. However, please keep in mind that by doing so you may dilute the number of participants in your Convergence® Session. Low enrollment may lead to cancellation.
Enrollment. HGA requires Leaders to accept a minimum of 12 students per Session, however, HGA reserves the right to run a Session should enrollment fall below. Sessions with 20 or more students may request assistance from a Convergence® Intern provided it is requested with the proposal.
Convergence® Interns. These students are currently enrolled in accredited fiber arts programs at the undergraduate or graduate level. The program is designed to assist with career development by providing real work experiences that provide students with opportunities to explore their interests and develop professional skills and competencies while providing the Leader with a capable assistant to help manage a larger enrollment in their Session. HGA strongly encourages participation in this program.
WiFi. Please note that HGA does not provide internet service for Convergence® Sessions as it is cost-prohibitive. We recognize the role that technology can play in presenting information. While we would like to provide internet access and fulfill the technical equipment needs of our Convergence® Leaders, we are not in a position to do so. Some conference facilities may offer free WiFi, but reliability cannot be guaranteed. Please contact the HGA office for more information about availability prior to submitting a proposal.
Supplies and Equipment. These items must be requested in your proposal. HGA will provide static-cling dry-erase boards (size may vary) and projector screens or a white space to project upon. HGA does not provide projectors. For a full list of equipment provided by HGA (such as dye pots, sewing machines, etc.), please refer to the application. Supplies and equipment brought by the Leader may be shipped in advance to the conference Decorator. Shipping costs are the responsibility of the Convergence® Leader. Upon selection of your Session and signing of the Convergence® Leader Agreement, HGA will provide shipping instructions and a fee schedule.
Materials and Sales. Digital handouts, shared with Session participants in advance, are encouraged. Convergence® Leaders may charge a materials fee for items they provide to their participants such as printed booklets, fiber, beads, dyes, etc. Please ensure that these fees are reasonable. Higher materials fees often dissuade registration. Convergence® Leaders may not sell additional supplies, publications, or handcrafted items in the classroom or in the public areas of the conference. HGA suggests Leaders connect with Convergence® vendors to arrange for sales. HGA will also work with Leaders to provide a scheduled and advertised time in the HGA Leader booth where a Leader may sell these items if they prefer to sell directly to participants.
Membership. All Convergence® Leaders must be or become HGA members upon receiving notification of proposal acceptance and must maintain membership through Convergence®. Memberships start at $53/year (subject to change).
If more than one proposal is accepted, HGA will do its best to schedule your Sessions concurrently. When this is not possible, you may be eligible for additional hotel compensation.
- Honoraria will be paid at a rate of $120 per hour of instruction ($180 for a 90-Minute Seminar; $360 for a 3-Hour Seminar; $720 for a 1-Day Workshop; $1,440 for a 2-Day Workshop; and $2,160 for a 3-Day Workshop). All Sessions will require a minimum of 5 registered students or they will be subject to cancellation. Honoraria will be adjusted from the hourly rate to a per-student rate for Workshop Sessions with 5 to 11 registered students.
- Travel Reimbursement of $75 for every three (3) hours of instruction (not to exceed $750).
- Hotel Compensation will be paid directly to a Convergence® Hotel by HGA and will be provided at half (½) the cost (or 50% of the cost) of a double/double room night at a blocked room rate at a Convergence® Hotel. The number of room nights will be compensated based on hours of instruction.
Leaders are responsible for making their own Convergence® hotel reservation and securing a roommate. Leaders are responsible for any miscellaneous fees and services (e.g. food, movies, parking, room service, etc.).
- Complimentary Convergence® Conference Registration, includes daily admission to the Marketplace, Demonstrations, Panels, and Art Exhibits; 1 ticket to the Fashion Show; 1 ticket to the Keynote Speaker; an HGA Tote Bag; and discounted session registration.
Download the Leader Application Guidelines for complete details.
Application Deadline: March 19, 2023
Selected individuals will be notified by June 30, 2023. For more information or if you have questions, please email HGA@WeaveSpinDye.org or call (678) 730-0010.
Sessions
Sessions include beginner to advanced instruction in a variety of fiber techniques. An HGA Individual, Family, Student, or Professional Artist Membership is required to register and take a Convergence Session. Membership may be purchased online or by calling (678) 730-0010. Participants who purchase the Convergence Value Package (CVP) save 25% on their Sessions. Registration opens August 1, 2023. Donors who have given $100 or more since January 1, 2023 to HGA's Fiber Trust qualify for Priority Registration.
Download the Convergence Registration Book for a complete description of Sessions (coming soon).
Download Additional Resources
- Coming soon for 2024