Volunteering for The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show

As a thank you for volunteering, we'll provide you with a ticket to the show (valid on the date of your job assignment). You also will get to check out free stage presentations and the 85,000-square-foot shopping mall.

Did you know that it takes more than 500 volunteers to produce a successful show? Whether you are an experienced quilter or would like to support PBS Wisconsin by lending a hand, we have the perfect job waiting for you. Quilters and non-quilters are welcome!

Seated Jobs

Hall A Greeter (Seated Position): Welcome visitors to The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show. Direct attendees classrooms and the quilt exhibit. Hand out programs and answer basic questions about the show.

Handstamper: Provide hand stamps to visitors that would like to re-enter the show and answer general event questions.

Quilt Exhibit Security (Pre and Post Show): Pre and post show, monitor quilts while exhibit set up and take down are in progress.

Raffle Sales & Information Desk: Give directions and answer questions about The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show using the information sheets we provide. Sell raffle tickets.

Vendor Check-In: Greet quilt vendors, hand out ingress packets and direct them to their assigned booth location on the exhibition hall floor.

Vendor Greeter: Monitor traffic flow near the loading dock entrance. Ensure that visitors have valid vendor or volunteer passes, answer basic show questions and provide directions to the locations of events and show facilities.

Volunteer Check-In: Greet volunteers, hand them their name badges and direct them to training and orientation in the volunteer lounge.

Non Seated Jobs

The jobs listed below involve standing or walking.

Appraisal Assistant: Collect tickets, keep appraisals on schedule and assist appraiser with handling quilts.

Class Ticket Pickup: Assist attendees with picking up class tickets purchased in advance of The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show. Answer basic questions and direct visitors to classrooms, vendor booths, food stations and Alliant Energy Center amenities.

Community Service Project Assistant: Use your sewing and quilting skills to assist attendees in stitching a community quilt for donation.

Expo Photo Wall: Welcome attendees and encourage them to take a photo with their smartphone in front of the photo wall. Two volunteers work together at the photo wall.

Floater: Volunteers will be given a job assignment to fill openings due to cancellations, unfilled positions and other staffing needs.

Greeter: Welcome visitors to The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show. Direct attendees to entry gates, ticket booths, classrooms and the quilt exhibit. Hand out programs and answer basic questions about the show.

Lecture Assistant: Direct attendees to the correct lecture rooms, collect tickets, lower/raise lights, distribute evaluation forms and assist speaker/presenter as needed.

Main Stage Presentation Assistant: Help set up presentations, monitor seating, distribute handouts, check sound levels, take attendance and assist with clean up as needed.

Package Check: Provide a daily package check service to guests and educators. Please note that this position requires the lifting and placing of packages on shelves.

Photography Assistant: Work in teams to identify winning quilts to be photographed and move to staging area.

Quilt Exhibit Attendant (Docent): Monitor the quilts for safety, show visitors the reverse sides of quilts, answer basic questions and share information about the quilts using fact sheets we provide. Knowledge of quilting not necessary. A great way to see the quilt exhibits and to meet new people.

Quilt Exhibit Entrance/Exit Security: Welcome visitors to the quilt exhibit, hand out viewers choice ballots, and answer general event questions. Ensure that attendees do not bring food or drink into the exhibit area.

Quilt Exhibit Take-Down: Work in teams to locate quilts in the contest exhibit and return to exhibitor. Once this process is complete, carefully take down remaining quilts, collect equipment and pack items away.

Quilt Hanging Crew: Work in teams to hang quilts with care in the contest exhibit and special exhibit areas.

Quilt Unbundling Team: Work in teams to unbundle and deliver quilts to hanging locations. Assist with other duties as needed.

Rope & Pipe Team: Work in teams to hang row identification signs, wipe down pipe, deliver pipe and S-hooks to quilt hanging location and assist where needed.

Setup & Strike Crew: Assist PBS Wisconsin crew in setting up event signage, the PBS Wisconsin booth area, raffle prize area, and photo wall.

Special Event Host: Welcome guests, collect tickets, direct visitors to open seats and assist where needed.

Ticket Sales: Greet attendees and sell tickets in the front or back lobby of the Exhibition Hall. Answer basic questions and direct visitors to classrooms, vendor booths, food stations and Alliant Energy Center amenities.

VIP Will Call: Assist VIP attendees with picking up their VIP packages purchased in advance of The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show. Answer basic questions and direct visitors to classrooms, vendor booths, food stations and Alliant Energy Center amenities.

Volunteer Lounge Setup: Assist the Volunteer Manager in setting up the volunteer check-in/lounge area on the mezzanine of Alliant Energy Center.

Workshop Assistant: Direct attendees to correct classrooms, collect tickets, and assist instructor as needed.

The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show is held at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.

Alliant Energy Center

How many people come to The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show every year?

Since its inception in 2005, attendance has grown to more than 20,000 people annually.

What type of time commitment is involved?

Volunteer shifts range from 2-4 hours depending on the position.

What is the minimum age to volunteer?

The minimum age to volunteer at The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show is 16.