HOUSTON – October 17, 2019 – Quilts, Inc., producers of International Quilt Festival and International Quilt Market, announced today that Suzanne Hyland has been named to the newly-created position of Director of Education and Industry Relations.
Hyland will be the point person for the ongoing development of both consumer and professional projects, as well as classes at Market and Festival to further develop the love and growth of quilting.
She will also be responsible for creating a new Ambassador program for Quilts, Inc. that will involve Industry leaders, teachers, and talented quilters. She assumes many of the duties of current Vice President of Education Marcia Barker, who will be leaving the company in early 2020 to pursue her passion for travel.
“We are so pleased to have Suzanne join us on the staff of Quilts, Inc.,” say President/CEO Karey Bresenhan and Executive Vice President Nancy O’Bryant. “She brings a creativity, talent, and imagination necessary for us to succeed in such a fast-changing industry. And I know that she’ll help inspire quilters, teachers, shop owners, and companies that produce the many products which make the creation of beautiful quilts both easier and more efficient.”
Quilters probably know Hyland best as the designer of Machingers® Quilting Gloves, a Handi Quilter Ambassador, and as the subject of the lighthearted book Help! I Married a Quilter, written by husband and CEO of Premier Needle Arts Mark Hyland.
She owns Quilters Touch, designing products and teaching classes to help machine quilters with their techniques. Having taught extensively around the world, she was named 2015 Teacher of the Year by the International Machine Quilting Association.
Hyland has also appeared on the TV show “America Quilts Creatively” and written articles for Quiltmaker. She most recently served on the Quilts, Inc. Board of Education, which helps select classes for all editions of Quilt Market and Quilt Festival, and will continue on the Board in her new position. She earned an Executive MBA at the University of Utah, and enjoys adventure travel, gardening, and listening to TED talks, podcasts, and audiobooks.
Hyland says that quilting “took over my existence in 1999,” and recognizes that Market and Festival opened opportunities for her to be successful quilter, product designer, teacher, wholesaler, retailer, and consumer.
“Joining Quilts, Inc. now is a natural fit,” she says. “I bring experience as a business owner and an MBA to my role and will work vigorously to bring the highest quality educational and customer experience to the company’s shows and events. I’m a whole-hearted advocate of quilters and quilting. And I look forward to creating programs, connections, and communities as avenues for growth at Quilts, Inc. and for the entire quilting industry.”
