Important TNNA Organization Update from the Board of Directors
Thank you for being a TNNA member and supporting your industry. Since our founding, TNNA has been dedicated to helping and inspiring independent needle arts businesses and professionals every day. Our mission is to elevate small businesses in the needle arts and crafts — knitting, needlepoint, embroidery, cross stitch, spinning, weaving, and more — so that every community has a place where people feel inspired to make something.
As you know, TNNA’s 2020 Summer Show has been cancelled. TNNA’s trade shows have consistently been our largest source of revenue. Declines in membership, poor attendance at the Winter Show, combined with the unforeseen cancellation of our Summer Show have left TNNA at a standstill.
Unfortunately, TNNA currently cannot continue the membership operations you have come to expect with what little resources we have left. This means that as of April 30, 2020, TNNA will suspend operations until further notice. The TNNA offices will remain closed, memberships will not be able to be processed, and TNNA’s regular e-news and social media will be on pause. You will still be able to login to the website during this time. We are utilizing volunteer members and all staff time to work in concert with our legal counsel to inventory TNNA’s assets and financial obligations.
We know you have many questions. We, the TNNA board, are doing our best to understand and formulate a plan on how we should best move forward. It’s a daunting and unwelcome task, but one that must be done. The cancellation of the Summer Show has dealt TNNA a severe financial blow that we may be unable to recover from.
As you undoubtedly know, this is an especially difficult and painful time in our industry. Thank you for your understanding and your assistance as we navigate this work. We will be doing our best to communicate next steps in a timely fashion. For now, you can view a series of FAQs here and below, which we will continue to update.
Please understand that we, your TNNA Board of Directors, are all volunteers and are doing this while also trying to run our individual businesses in these very trying times. Feel free to reach out to anyone on the board if you have any questions or words of encouragement, but please keep in mind that we are also struggling in our personal lives and business during this time.
We appreciate your support and we know that this community we love will persevere.
Sincerely,
The TNNA Board of Directors
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What is the current status of TNNA operations?
Due to financial challenges, compounded by the cancellation of the 2020 Summer Tradeshow due to the COVID-19 pandemic, TNNA is suspending business operations on April 30, 2020, until further notice.
Why was the 2020 Summer Tradeshow cancelled?
The decision was made to protect the health, safety and well-being of our attendees, teachers, exhibitors and staff. Additionally, Ohio Governor DeWine announced recently that the in-state shelter in place order would to be extended through May 1, therefore adding more uncertainty as to whether our show dates of May 27-–31 would be viable. It goes without saying that this is a decision that was not entered into lightly, especially in this highly complex, quickly changing environment. We sincerely appreciate your support and understanding of this very difficult, but ultimately responsible decision.
My company had reserved exhibit space at the Summer Show; how do I claim a refund?
At this time, the organization is not in a position to make commitments regarding Summer Show refunds. Watch the TNNA Website for more information as it becomes available.
Will paid attendee and exhibitor badge registrations be refunded?
At this time, the organization is not in a position to make commitments regarding Summer Show refunds. Watch the TNNA Website for more information as it becomes available.
Will TNNA’s 2020 Summer Tradeshow be rescheduled?
Based on TNNA’s current financial state, as well as the logistics, costs and the uncertain timeline around when the COVID-19 outbreak will be sufficiently resolved, the 2020 Summer Trade Show will not be rescheduled for later this year.
When and where will the next TNNA event take place?
There are currently no future TNNA events scheduled.
If I have questions about TNNA’s business operations who can I contact?
Those are best addressed to the TNNA in-box (info@tnna.org). Please know that the staff team is working remotely due to health concerns, and is responding as able due to the volume of communications at hand. E-mails will be addressed at the earliest opportunity, but we plan to use the TNNA Website as the primary communications channel for organizational news, announcements and instructions for TNNA members and stakeholders.