Several follow-up events have occurred since the initial business seminar. One year later, a Handcraft Connection Seminar and a fair were conducted. The seminar taught participants how to conduct an arts and crafts wholesale business. The fair brought crafters and businesses together to establish such wholesale opportunities. Subsequent mini-programs highlighting the subject matter were also presented to the state Ohio Extension Homemakers Council and neighboring county Extension audiences.
Current plans are to conduct the business seminar for arts and crafters in four Ohio regions.
The two-state cooperation in this program stretched resources to provide the highest quality program for participants. Because the two cities of Parkersburg, West Virginia and Marietta, Ohio are in the same media market, publicity efforts were more efficient and effective. Both states contributed financial resources, state specialist expertise, and printed materials. Since many of the craft professionals would conduct business in both states, it was important to have information about Ohio and West Virginia regulations. Much discussion revolves around crossing county and district lines in Extension.