Schedule and Registration
Welcome to the ultimate international fiber art experience, HGA’s Convergence® conference where you can immerse yourself in the inspiration and stimulation of exhibits, classes, textile tours, shopping and more!
Mailing Lists
Note: HGA does not sell our attendee list. If you receive an email from someone offering the Convergence attendee list for purchase, it is a scam. Delete the email. This scam has been targeting the entire events industry recently.
Register early! Sessions fill quickly!
Create a conference schedule that meets your needs. Attendees may pick and choose the conference Sessions and Events they wish to attend – and register for each one individually. Priority registration will available to donors who have given $100 or more in 2021 to HGA's Fiber Trust. Become a Donor and Donate Today.
Schedule
Subject to Change
Registration Dates & Deadlines
| August 2, 2021
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| September 20, 2021
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| September 27, 2021
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| October 4, 2021 |
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| January 1, 2022 |
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| April 15, 2022 |
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| June 21, 2022 |
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| July 11, 2022 |
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Convergence® Value Package (CVP)
- Attendees registered for a CVP must be either a Student, Individual, Family or Professional Artist HGA Member
- 25% discount on Session registration fees
- 1 Ticket to the Fashion Show & Dinner ($113 value)
- 1 Ticket to the Keynote Presentation & Dinner ($73 value)
- Daily admission to the Art Exhibits and the Marketplace including the Demonstration Stage activities ($40 value)
- 1 HGA Tote Bag, sponsored by the John C. Campbell Folk School, and filled with goodies. ($15 value)
- CVP's are Non-Refundable
Convergence® Day Pass
- A Day Pass grants admission to the Marketplace and the Art Exhibits for the day the pass is purchased. If you have a CVP you do not need a Day Pass.
- Day Passes are Non-Refundable
Convergence® Sessions
- An HGA Individual, Family, Student, or Professional Artist Membership is required to register
- To save 25% first register and complete your purchase of a CVP
Special Events (Juror's Talks, Fashion Show, Keynote)
- Non-Refundable
Tours
- Lunch Included
- Non-Refundable
Meal Plan
- Registration closes July 11, 2022
- Non-Refundable
Open Portfolio
- Sponsored by Mark Grigalunas
- Free to attend with Day Pass or CVP
- Registration required to present
- Non-Refundable
Sheep-to-Shawl
- Sponsored by Ply Magazine
- Free to attend with Day Pass or CVP
- Registration required for teams to participate
- Non-Refundable
Handwoven Kitchen Towel Exchange
- Sponsored by Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild
- Registration required to participate
Shuttle Race & Decorative Shuttle Competition
- Racetrack provided by Schacht Spindle Company
Thread Talks
- Free to attend with Day Pass or CVP
- Registration required to present
Meet & Greet Networking Event
- Complimentary Table for Guilds and Nonprofit Organizations
How to Register
- Online - The preferred registration method of HGA, secure and includes an immediate email confirmation
- Phone (678) 730-0010 – Available Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST
Convergence® Marketplace, Special Events, and Tours are open to the general public with the purchase of a Day Pass/and or Ticket. CVP’s and Session registrations are limited to Individual, Family, Student, and Professional Artist members of the Handweavers Guild of America, Inc. All purchases are non-refundable, Sessions are the exception.
Registration is first-come, first-served and will close June 21, 2022 for Workshops. Meal Plans must be purchased by July 11, 2022. Registration for Seminars, CVP’s, Events, Tours, Etc. will continue until Noon the day before their start. Registrations received after July 11, 2022 are based on availability and subject to an additional late fee of $25. Fiber Trust supporters who have given a financial gift of $100 or more in 2021 qualify for Priority Registration. See page 42 for more information about donating to the Fiber Trust or call (678) 730-0010.
HGA supports our Marketplace vendors by providing a list of registered attendees (includes name, state/province, country, and email address). Your participation supports small fiber art businesses, and your privacy is HGA’s first concern. If you wish to not include your name and email address on the list, you may opt out at registration.
Supplies and Material Fees
Session supply lists are available on our website. Session materials fees are payable to the Leader and collected by the Leader at the start of the Session. HGA will not accept supply and material fees.
Changes and Cancellations
Changes: Sessions may be changed to a Session at an equivalent or higher registration fee if made in writing by April 15, 2022. Changes will incur a $25 administration fee per Session. Sessions may not be changed after April 15, 2022.
Cancellations: Membership dues and tickets purchased for Convergence® events (Fashion Show, Keynote Presentation, Meals, Tours, Juror Talks, etc.) are non-refundable. Session cancellations must be made in writing by April 15, 2022 and will incur a $50 cancellation fee per Session. Session registration fees are non-refundable for cancellations made after April 15, 2022.
All Sessions and Tours require a minimum number of participants. HGA reserves the right to cancel Sessions and Tours if there is insufficient registration. If we must cancel a Session or Tour HGA will issue a full refund.
A Message about Convergence® amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
With the health and safety of our members and participants being our first priority, please know that our thoughts are with those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Our commitment remains to prioritize the safety of Convergence® attendees. We are closely monitoring developments related to the pandemic and are working diligently with our local and regional partners, including the city of Knoxville and the state of Tennessee, on our preparedness. HGA may issue protocols requiring attendees to wear masks, social distance, etc. Please know that conditions and capacities may be updated prior to Convergence® based on guidance from City and State authorities. We are carefully watching the developments and are ready to make swift decisions, as needed.
Because COVID-19 is extremely contagious and is spread mainly from person-to-person contact, HGA will have in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. However, HGA cannot guarantee that its participants, volunteers, partners, or others in attendance will not become infected with COVID-19. All attendees will be required to agree to HGA’s COVID-19 Safety Acknowledgement – Liability Waiver and Release of Claims. (Download)
Before traveling to Convergence®, we recommend that you monitor information provided by your local health agencies and as issued by the conference location so you may take reasonable precautions to protect yourself. We encourage all Convergence® attendees to be vaccinated.
Statement from the Knoxville Convention Center
The Knoxville Convention Center is dedicated to delivering a safe environment for our guests. We have put into action ASM Global’s VenueShield program. Our comprehensive and industry-leading program implements procedures and protocols that align with approvals from local government officials and health care experts to provide the highest level of safety, security and consumer confidence. Guests will find reminders of the five core actions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and hand sanitizers at all touch points, throughout the facility; and masks are required for non-vaccinated individuals. The Knoxville Convention Center is operating diligently with trusted protection for the live experience.