National Upholstery Association

Events for all NUA events are displayed in the calendar below. Members can view events not available to public.

If you are an Industry Partner, you can advertise up to 6 trade show appearances/events on the calendar each year. If you are an Educator member, you can advertise up to 12 classes on the calendar each year. To add events, contact us.

Upcoming events

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2-Day Fabric/Leather Poufs Workshop Castle Rock, CO January 25 & 26, 2025

Start
January 25, 2025

9:00 AM

End
January 26, 2025

5:00 PM

With Rhonda Shanahan

In this hands-on fabric and leather poufs workshop, you will learn specialty skills that will take your pouf-making skills to the next level. You will choose two different pouf styles using leather and fabric. The finished poufs can be used as examples to show your clients in your workshop or used in your home.

In this 2-day class, you will choose two of the following poufs:

1. Octogon Pouf using a mix of upholstery fabrics and leather.

2. Hexagon Pouf using a mix of upholstery fabrics and leather.

3. Square Pouf with metal zipper

4. Round Pouf with metal zipper

The skills learned in this class can be used to make poufs for clients, resale, or use in your own home. Poufs are a great way to use scrap fabric, leather, and foam to create something whimsical.

REGISTER HERE!

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NECPA 2025 Expo and Conference

Start
January 28, 2025

End
January 30, 2025

Location
Atlantic City, NJ

What You'll Find

The Annual Conference and Expo provides a peek into the latest and greatest products and services for the awning and marine canvas industry. Meet over 50 vendors at our Expo and learn the latest techniques and best industry practices during our conference seminar tracks. The weekend is also filled with many networking events that you'll surely find both entertaining and productive!

Who Should Attend?

Any professional working in or serving the awning and outdoor fabric industry should attend our annual Awning and Marine Canvas Products Show. Manufacturers, distributors, fabricators, retailers and service providers all attend our conference and expo to see the latest innovations, gain new insights, and connect with business colleagues both old and new.

https://www.necpa.org/expo2025

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NUA Community Meeting: Finding Microloans and Grants for Your Upholstery Business

When
January 29, 2025

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Location
Zoom

Join us for a moderated community meeting hosted by the National Upholstery Association, where we brainstorm and share strategies for finding microloans and grants.

This session will cover important topics such as where to look for funding, tips for preparing successful applications, and navigating eligibility requirements. Whether you’re seeking startup capital or funds to grow your upholstery business, this meeting is an opportunity to share resources and insights with your peers.

Community meetings are open to the public - you do not need to be an NUA member to attend.

This online meeting will be held via Zoom. For a link to join, please register using the button below. Hope to see you there!

Click here to register for this event

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

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Tufting 101: An Introduction to Tufting, Materials, Measurements, and Placements

When
February 11, 2025

1:00 PM

With Krysta Henry

This webinar provides introduction to the art of tufting. Krysta will explore modern materials used in tufting, and an understanding of the tools required. Detailed instruction on measurements and placements will guide learners in creating precise, professional-quality tufted designs. This session serves as a perfect starting point for those eager to master the basics and begin crafting tufted pieces with confidence and accuracy.

Krysta Henry is the owner and operator of All In One Piece Upholstery. Krysta and Company specialize in Commercial and residential Upholstery, with 23 years of a full compass upholstery experience. You can sit on Krysta’s creations anywhere in Oklahoma City, from public schools to fine dining establishments. She most enjoys challenging projects that bring together her creative passion for design and her dedication to precise execution and comfortable products. Krysta’s extensive experience in booth construction and design have made her an expert in the field, and her products unmatched in comfort and efficiency.

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1 Day French Mattress Cushion Workshop Castle Rock, CO February 22, 2025

When
February 22, 2025

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

With Rhonda Shanahan

Do you want to learn how to make a French Mattress Cushion? This class is limited to 4 students for individual attention. The supplies you need to complete one cushion are included in this workshop. You will learn how to sew, assemble, stuff, and stitch a cushion. You’ll leave with your finished cushion and the skills to make more.

REGISTER HERE!

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Creation Over Survival with Jamika Smith

When
March 11, 2025

1:00 PM

Jamika Smith is the Owner/Founder of Teena's Legacy, a 501(c)3 non-profit that provides practical tools and life skills through upholstery, promoting economic transformation and encouraging self-discovery. Jamika empowers individuals to work through triggers and unresolved issues, using reupholstery as a tool to enable healing.

In this webinar; "Creation Over Survival", Jamika will dissect the question: "Can upholsterers/business owners effectively build businesses or truly be creative if forced to live in a primarily survival-focused state of mind?"

In her presentation, Jamika aims to:

Define the difference between a survival state of mind and a creation state of mind, identify our own limiting beliefs and challenges with growing our businesses, visualize having the businesses we desire, and outline some practical tools we can incorporate to encourage growth.

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2-Day Tufting Fabric/Leather Workshop Castle Rock, CO March 29 & 30, 2025

Start
March 29, 2025

9:00 AM

End
March 30, 2025

5:00 PM

With Rhonda Shanahan

In this hands-on fabric and leather tufting upholstery workshop, you will learn specialty skills that will take your upholstery education to the next level. You will complete three 16” x 16” tufted leather or fabric sample boards using a variety of methods and techniques. The finished boards can be used as examples to show your clients, hung on the wall, or turned into footstools by adding feet.

In this 2-day class, you will complete the following sample boards:

1. Deep button tufting with a Vandyke join.

2. Biscuit tufting

3. Upholstered board with buttons.

The skills learned in this class can be used for upholstery projects, such as chairs, sofas, settees, ottomans, footstools, banquets, and headboards.

REGISTER HERE!

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Women In Textiles Summit

Start
March 31, 2025

End
April 02, 2025

Location
Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City, NY

The goal of the summit is to strengthen the advancement of women in the textile industry through an interactive forum that provides education, networking and dialogue about important issues affecting women in business.

The 2024 Women in Textiles Summit took place February 12-14 in Phoenix, AZ. The Summit welcomed just under 100 attendees (48 of which were first-timers!). Emcees Jasmine Cox, Gaston College and Nichole Holroyd, Spiritus Systems led the 2-day event, which consisted of industry, professional and personal education, group discussions and lots of fun networking activities!

https://www.textiles.org/events/women-in-textiles-summit/women-registration/

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3-Day Open Upholstery Workshop Castle Rock, CO April 12-14, 2025

Start
April 12, 2025

9:00 AM

End
April 14, 2025

5:00 PM

With Rhonda Shanahan

This class is great for students wanting to start or expand their upholstery skills. It is limited to 4 students for individual attention. You will be responsible for your project and all your supplies. I’ll have supplies at the workshop for purchase if needed. The piece must be approved before the class starts. You can bring your tools or use the tools I have in my workshop. I have several industrial sewing machines for students to use. I hope these workshops will help you move forward in your upholstery journey.

Day 1: Getting started on your project. Develop a plan for what you want to accomplish over the 3-day workshop. Take notes, so you have a reference when you get home. Become familiar with the workshop, tools, and industrial machines. Getting started on your project.

Day 2: Work on your project and continue to make progress.

Day 3: You’ve made good progress. You should be finishing up your piece today. Depending on your project, you may not complete your piece. We will discuss the plan at the end of class so you can finish your piece at home if you don’t get it done in class.

REGISTER HERE!

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Furniture Manufacturing Expo

Start
June 11, 2025

End
June 12, 2025

Location
Hickory Metro Convention Center, Hickory, NC

Furniture Manufacturing Expo is the opportunity to take part in the only trade show in North America showcasing the largest gathering of suppliers and the latest solutions for manufacturers of furniture.

Over two days, attendees have the chance to engage with exhibiting suppliers and see first-hand the latest innovative products, equipment, and machinery as well as gain a better understanding of the services and new technology making a critical impact on warehousing, logistics, finance, and the bottom line. The show also features an engaging education program developed by show management with topic/speaker guidance from the show’s advisory board of industry leaders.

Gain a fresh industry perspective, generate new product ideas, develop new relationships, and enhance existing connections in the industry!

Registration Opens late January 2025!

Who Should Attend?

Professionals of all management levels involved in the manufacturing of furniture such as but not limited to:

Designers

Engineers

Executives

Machine Operators

Plant Managers

Procurement Officers

Purchasing Managers

Quality Control Managers

Research & Development Managers

Specifiers

Education Program

Developed by show management in conjunction with the show’s advisory board, the 2025 education program will focus on the latest innovations, technology, and techniques for the furniture manufacturing industry.

All sessions will be available to registered attendees at no additional charge.

Learn from industry professionals as they discuss the hottest topics in the furniture industry.

Who's Exhibiting?

Companies that produce, design, develop, and/or manufacture products and equipment, or offer services and solutions for the furniture manufacturing industry will be showcasing their latest products, services, machinery, and technologies for the furniture manufacturing industry.

Click here to see a full list of Exhibitors.

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3-Day Leather Upholstery Workshop, Castle Rock, CO June 21-23, 2025

Start
June 21, 2025

9:00 AM

End
June 23, 2025

5:00 PM

With Rhonda Shanahan

I will be teaching a 3-day leather workshop June 21-23, 2025. If you’ve been wanting to add leather to your upholstery skills this is the workshop for you. This class is limited to 3 students for individual attention.

Day 1: Intro to leather. This day will include how to measure your project to calculate your sq. ft. in leather. How to order your hides. What to do when they arrive. How to inspect the hides before you start your project. How to store your hides. Where to make your cuts. How to skive, stitch, and make buttons and welt. Coming up with a plan for your chair and planning your cuts on the hide.

Day 2: Getting started on your chair. Ways to attach the leather to the frame. What are the differences between fabric and leather? Start cutting leather and upholstering your chair. How and why to vent leather cushions and solid benches or seats.

Day 3: Continue working on your chair. How to make a leather zipper for a cushion. How to topstitch leather. What to know if you want to add a leather welt to your cushion? Wrap up your chair project. If time allows we’ll practice sewing and creating with leather scraps. Some projects may be pillows, poufs, and baskets.

REGISTER HERE!

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Custom Workroom Conference

Start
September 23, 2025

End
September 25, 2025

Location
Kingsport, TN

Why attend CWC?

If you are new to the workroom industry, or would like to learn more about starting your own workroom business.

If you are an experienced workroom owner looking for fellowship, fresh ideas and inspiration.

If you are looking for better and more efficient methods and equipment to improve production.

If you would like to meet your peers and suppliers in person, to put a face to a name and strengthen relationships.

If you would like help with pricing, marketing or setting business goals.

If you have never attended a workroom conference – it can be life changing!

https://www.customworkroomconference.com/

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Advanced Textiles Expo 2025

Start
November 05, 2025

End
November 07, 2025

Location
Indianapolis, IN

CONNECT with over 4,500 textiles professionals.

DISCOVER the newest innovations in the marketplace.

SOURCE from over 300 exhibitors to drive your business forward.

Advanced Textiles Expo, formerly IFAI Expo, is organized by Advanced Textiles Association (ATA).

For a century, Advanced Textiles Expo has been the industrial fabrics industry’s flagship show. As the premier textiles event, Expo is the place where industry stakeholders and leaders CONNECT, DISCOVER, and SOURCE in order to grow their businesses.

https://advancedtextilesexpo.com

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