Michelle Tade Banton has been quilting and planning events for over 25 years.  Describing herself as a Human Quilt Sampler, Michelle has worked in all aspects of event planning from guild shows to regional quilt festivals. She attends the International Quilt Market as an Industry Professional. She was a fabric sales rep for a year – learned so much about a whole new aspect of the industry, but decided sales was not her “thing”.  She organized and facilitated an annual “Meet the Teachers” event at the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, MA for 10 years.  Some of her designs have been displayed at Quilt Market & Festival booths.  She has donated original quilts to numerous charities.  Retreat planning and bus tours are another aspect of her involvement in the industry.  But mostly she likes to travel, meet other quilters, and share her knowledge by presenting lectures or teaching workshops. She’s lived in north central Massachusetts for 29 years, but still considers herself a Midwesterner having grown up in Texas and Wichita, KS.