Meet the Team

Get to know the passionate people behind the Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival. Each member of our team brings unique experience, creativity, and dedication to making this event unforgettable. Read on to learn about their backgrounds, inspirations, and favorite crafting stories—and discover why we’re so excited to bring our shared love of making to you!

1. Role & Contribution

I’m the Vice President of Koelnmesse Inc. and Show Director for our crafting events. My role involves coordinating with our international teams, bringing together exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees, and shaping the vision for a vibrant, community-centered experience.

2. Crafting Journey

I come from a background in business development and marketing, but I’ve always admired the creativity and passion that fuels the crafting world. Working with Koelnmesse opened the door for me to bring those elements together in an event setting.

3. Favorite Project

Launching the Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival stands out as one of my proudest achievements. It’s exciting to see an idea transform into a bustling community event, brimming with innovation and inspiration.

4. Excitement Factor

I’m most looking forward to seeing the community come alive on the show floor—witnessing new friendships spark, creative collaborations form, and everyone walking away inspired and eager to create.

5. Fun Fact

I’m an avid foodie! When I’m not planning shows, you can often find me experimenting with new recipes and local cuisines.

Darrin Stern

1. Role & Contribution
As the Sales Manager for h+h americas and h+h cologne, I have the exciting opportunity to work with key accounts, exhibitors, and sponsors in North America. My passion lies in connecting businesses within the vibrant crafting community, helping them thrive, innovate, and build creative, collaborative partnerships that push the boundaries of what’s possible. Every day, I’m inspired by the incredible talent and energy that drives this industry forward.

2. Crafting Journey
While my background is in Interior Design, I have a passion for crafts and the arts. I grew up spending countless hours crafting with my grandmother and mother, who are both incredibly skilled in sewing, crocheting, and other creative projects. Personally, I developed a love for drawing and painting, experimenting with a variety of mediums and styles, from modern to traditional. This blend of creativity has shaped my journey and continues to inspire my work today.

3. Favorite Project
I have a passion for home design, and one of my favorite projects was designing the kitchen in our Minnesota home on the lake. It was exciting to create a space that was both practical and inspiring, blending traditional and modern design elements. The result was a stylish, functional kitchen that perfectly harmonized with the natural beauty of the lake setting.

4. Excitement Factor
I’m thrilled to watch the show floor come to life, like a city being built from the ground up. It’s inspiring to see new connections form, creative collaborations unfold, and exhibitors/attendees leave energized with fresh ideas for their next crafting project. The dynamic buzz of creativity within the community is what excites me most—it’s truly amazing to witness!

5. Fun Fact
Growing up in Minnesota, hockey has always been in my blood. My two boys both started playing at just 2.5 years old, and I’ve been hooked ever since! I’m a huge fan, eagerly cheering on my younger son at the AAA level, my older son in juniors, and catching college and NHL games whenever I can. So much so that I’ve proudly earned the nickname “hockey mom” at home. I absolutely love being part of their exciting hockey journey! 🏒

  1. Role & Contribution:
    I am the Sales and Sponsorship Manager at Koelnmesse Inc. for h+h americas, managing the I-P alpha split. In this role, I help exhibitors secure booth space and explore marketing and sponsorship opportunities to maximize their presence at the event. I work closely with companies to ensure a seamless exhibition experience, providing support every step of the way. I also manage the Cosplay Competition Fashion Show & Exhibition, providing an exciting and vibrant platform for the crafting community to celebrate the art of cosplay and its diverse talents. Drawing on my experience with both B2B and B2C events, I bring valuable insights and ideas that contribute to the success of the show. My goal is to is to cultivate meaningful connections, support the success of exhibitors and sponsors, and provide attendees with a rewarding and impactful experience.
  2. Crafting Journey:Throughout my career, I’ve always had a passion for the events industry, taking on many roles that allowed me to connect with diverse communities. My journey into the creative industry began when a close family member suggested an opportunity to join a trade show within the vibrant fiber arts community. From the moment I joined, I was captivated by the exuberant, warm, and passionate spirit of this community. It’s been an incredible experience to support and celebrate the creativity and connection that is part of this industry.
  3. Favorite Project:
    While I don’t craft in the traditional fiber and fabric sense of our community, I would love to try my hand at crochet someday. My current creative outlet is decorating sugar cookies, and one of my favorite projects was for our grandbaby’s gender reveal. I designed cookies around the theme, “A little cutie is on its way!” And for the baby shower, I created cookies themed with honey pots, bees, and bottles. Everyone thought the cookies were professionally made, which made me feel incredibly proud. It’s rewarding to use creativity to make special moments even more memorable!
  4. Excitement Factor:
    I am beyond excited for our show’s second annual Cosplay Competition Fashion Show and Exhibition! We already have 14 incredibly talented cosplay designers signed up to compete, and we’re thrilled to welcome five amazing professional judges. Plus, this year’s fantastic Master of Ceremonies will join us again! Next year, we’re adding an exciting new element—a cosplay parade to the stage! I can’t wait to see the creativity and passion that our new contestants will bring to the stage next year. It’s going to be an unforgettable celebration of artistry and imagination!
  5. Fun Fact:
    A fun fact about me is that I absolutely love Broadway theater and musicals—a passion I share with my daughter, who lives in New York City. Whenever I get the chance, I travel there so we can attend shows together. It’s such a special way for us to bond and experiencing the magic of Broadway with her makes it even more unforgettable!

  1. Role & Contribution:
    I am the Sales and Sponsorship Manager at Koelnmesse Inc. for h+h americas, where I manage the Q-Z alpha split. I assist exhibitors in securing booth space and exploring various marketing and sponsorship opportunities to maximize their presence at the event. My primary focus is to ensure that exhibitors and sponsors have a positive experience from the initial planning stages to final execution. I work closely with companies to ensure they feel fully supported throughout the entire process. I also manage the Content Creator Summit. It’s always incredibly fulfilling to see all the moving parts come together, creating an event that truly resonates with everyone involved.
  2. Crafting Journey:
    My career has always been in trade shows. I’ve worked in a few different industries. However, my favorite community by far is the creative one. The sense of creativity, community collaboration, and collaboration in that space is incredibly special. At one point, when I was between jobs, I made a cold call to an association that had a trade show I was interested in working on simply because I thought it would be fun. On my first day there, I knew I had found my ‘home’ in the creative industry. One of my favorite moments in the creative industry is when we’re about to open the show. The crowd gathers near the entrance, buzzing with excitement to get onto the Show –  see all the new products, meet industry celebrities, see their peers, and experience everything we’ve all been working so hard to bring together. There’s such an incredible level of energy in the air—you can almost feel it. Not every event has that magic, but ours definitely does. It’s absolutely exhilarating!
  3. Favorite Project:
    I’m not sure I can narrow it down to a single project or creation. My creative passions are photography and scrapbooking – and one lead to the other. I know there are those who don’t quite understand why I may take 7 pictures of the same thing – a flower, my nieces, a sunset, my sweet dog – when most people will take one and move on. Or why I would spend so much time deciding which color blue to use for a scrapbook layout. But when my family gathers at my house and they start pulling out my many scrapbooks to reminisce over the memories we’ve shared, I hear, “You always get the best pictures of us, Aunt Nadine,“ and the “I forgot about that time” moments. And in those moments, no one is rushing to get home. It’s those moments when you feel how being creative brings families together. And even your most skeptical and non-creative of brothers can understand why you would have an entire room dedicated to “crafting.”
  4. Excitement Factor:
    I am so excited for our show’s second Content Creator Summit! At last year’s Show we grew the Content Creator program from a reception to a full-day education program complete with presentations, panels and events. And yes, we still had the reception too. And it was so well-received that we are doing it again, and we are even expanding it – just a little bit. We have so much content we need to add a little more time so we can fit it all in! It was exciting to meet in-person so many creators I had been emailing with. And then hear how they were so glad they invested in themselves to attend the Content Creator Summit.
  5. Fun Fact:
    I have been hot-air ballooning three times. By far the most exciting one of those was the one in Africa – hot-air balloon safari floating over elephants and hippos. It was at dawn over the Maasai Mara-Serengeti. When we landed, we had a spectacular post-flight breakfast in the bush. It sounds like it was out of the movies. It sort of felt that way. It was very special!

  1. Role & Contribution:
    I serve as the International Exhibitor Contact and Visitor Manager for h+h americas, supporting global participants and fostering connections within our community.
  2. Crafting Journey:
    My journey into the crafting world began when I joined Koelnmesse Inc., where I discovered the vibrant world of makers and creative professionals.
  3. Favorite Project:
    While I’m not a crafter myself, my “craft” is language! Having lived in different countries, I am fluent in English, German, Spanish, and French, which allows me to connect with a wide range of participants.
  4. Excitement Factor:
    I’m most looking forward to welcoming international participation, exploring new pavilions, discovering the latest trends, and reconnecting with new and old friends at our upcoming event.
  5. Fun Fact:
    Even though I’m not a fan of winter, I spent a night in an Ice Hotel in Canada—it was an incredible experience!

  1. Role & Contribution:
    I oversee operations for h+h americas, managing every aspect of planning and executing our trade shows and events. This includes coordinating exhibitor services, ensuring exhibitors have the necessary information and resources to prepare for the show, organize their booth setup, and maximize their sponsorship opportunities. I work closely with the convention center staff to guarantee a seamless experience for our exhibitors, from move-in and booth setup to ensuring a successful event overall.
  2. Crafting Journey:
    h+h americas is my first role in the craft show industry, and it’s been incredibly exciting to immerse myself in this creative community. The environment is so welcoming and supportive, with everyone working collaboratively to ensure the success of the event. My previous experience was in organizing medical association trade shows, so transitioning into this creative space has been both refreshing and inspiring.
  3. Favorite Project:
    Growing up, I was involved in 4-H and competed in sewing for about eight years. My final project was creating a winter coat, which I worked on all summer with the guidance of a mentor. While I didn’t take home the champion title, I proudly earned a blue ribbon. That coat became a lasting memory, as I wore it for many years afterward.
  4. Excitement Factor:
    I’m looking forward to see new faces and witness the continued growth of the diverse craft companies at the show. It’s inspiring to watch the community come together as we expand the range of what’s represented within the broad craft industry. The growth and expansion of the show is really exciting!
  5. Fun Fact: 
    While I was busy sewing all those year in 4-H, I also was busy showing pigs at the fair each year.