Why We Go To Homeschool Conventions
by Kiri Jorgensen-Publisher and Senior Editor
It’s that time of year again.
Across the country, organizations gather speakers, teachers, and vendors into one place. Then they invite homeschool families to come have access to all the great people they’ve gathered. Parents get to learn new homeschool methods, find inspiration in what they already do, and discover new tools to guide their journey. Presenters get to share their wisdom and experience. Vendors get to meet and interact with new customers.
Homeschool Conventions – no matter the organizing entity – are a win for everyone involved.
Chicken Scratch Books attended our first homeschool convention in June 2021, back when we had just 2 titles published, each with one companion course. It was a very small state convention in Idaho. We set up our signs and books in the vendor hall and started talking to anyone who walked by. It became very clear very quickly that this format was a wonderful opportunity for us to reach our ideal audience.
There are several specific benefits that make us eager to attend homeschool conventions. I wanted to share those with you from a vendor’s perspective.
We love showcasing our new titles each spring and summer to the families that have purchased from us before. Often at conventions, families get access to books before they even launch. That’s pretty exciting to be one of the first kids to read a new book!
Often, we have one of our authors at our vendor booth with us. What a great opportunity for kids to meet a real author and get a signed book!
I often get to present workshops at these conventions. I love teaching parents about how to use literature in their homeschools and get the most out of each story. I also feel strongly the need to educate families about the inner workings of the children’s book publishing industry. Parents need to know what they’re up against, and where they can turn for support.
But my favorite benefit of all is the opportunity to meet and talk with so many amazing, committed, focused, loving parents who are actively seeking what’s best for their kids. I commend you! Your example reminds me why I do what I do.
Attending homeschool conventions is an opportunity we embrace as a company because we believe in what homeschool parents are doing. We want to support you in any way we can, and we want to meet you where you are and help you solve the problems you face.
If you are attending a homeschool convention this year, look for us and come say hello!
Where we’ll be in 2024:
Feb 24: North Idaho Homeschool Conference, Coeur d’Alene, ID
March 14-16: Great Homeschool Conventions, Greenville, SC
March 21-23: Great Homeschool Conventions, St. Charles, MO
April 4-6: Great Homeschool Conventions, Cincinnati, OH
June 7-8: Homeschool Idaho Convention, Boise, ID
June 13-15: Great Homeschool Conventions, Ontario, CA
July 11-13: Great Homeschool Conventions, Round Rock, TX