The Gammill team just returned from SUGAR Conference 2015 and what an amazing experience! The SUGAR Conference is an educational event specifically dedicated to specialized training for Statler by Gammill owners. It included three days of classes for different levels of quilters, a display of machine-quilted quilts and special exhibits, a vendor mall and more. The talent displayed in the quilt show and in the classrooms from both teachers and students was outstanding. Thank you to the SUGAR Board and staff for their hard work in putting together this educational event and to each attendee for their support of Gammill and for being a part of the Statler by Gammill family.
Many of the quilts from the show are available on our Facebook page.
Here are some more highlights from the conference!
———
The conference kicked off on Wednesday with a welcome reception and a meet and greet with Paul Statler, creator of the Statler by Gammill. Gammill hosted a photobooth where attendees could take photos with Paul and his wife, Mildred.
The planning of SUGAR took a great deal of planning from this dedicated committee and many volunteers.
The SUGAR Conference theme “A World of Imagination” included a guest appearance from Willy Wonka and a local school performing a flash dance during the opening ceremonies.
In honor of Statler by Gammill’s 25th Anniversary, Gammill hosted a cupcake reception during the conference.
Friday’s events included a banquet with hilarious entertainment from Special Guest Entertainer, Jason Hewlett. Jason has performed for more than 2,000 audiences with his funny family-friendly style and musical surprises.
The banquet also featured a number of recognitions including honoring Georgia and Ivan Stull, co-presidents of the SUGAR Conference.
The Stulls presented the President’s Award to CreativeStudio Author Matt Sherman, pictured here with his wife, Angela, Georgia and Ivan. The award honored Matt for his work to make the CreativeStudio program such a wonderful tool for quilters.
The future of quilting is looking very bright with our up and coming quilt designers! This young lady was the winner of a junior quilter award for a piece she completed during Spring break and quilted on her mother’s Statler.
The crowd had a chance for more photos at a booth following the awards banquet.
Several of Gammill’s Dealers were on hand for the pictures including three who traveled all the way from Australia to be a part of the conference!
The Statler family including Paul, Mildred, their daughter, Mary Foley, and their grandson, Julian Foley, gathered for a family photo. Julian, who works in Gammill’s education production, and Mary, who is the company’s end tester, had the opportunity to capture the stories of many Statler users during the conference. We can’t wait to share the stories of how people’s lives have been changed by these machines!
The conference included classes for every level of quilter (beginners to experienced) by professional instructors. Here, Linda V. Taylor presented a new class on how to artistically combine computer and hand-guided methods on the same quilt.
Paul Statler gives a thank you and a closing message on the final day of the conference.
Thank you again to all who attended this event and to those who worked so hard to make it a success.
