Machine Quilters Showcase began in Duluth Minnesota in 1997. Marcia and Tom Stevens put together the first show dedicated to the longarm machine quilting industry. Classes were held and quilts were displayed. All who attended were excited about this first show of its kind. In 1998, the show moved to Springfield, Missouri. It was at that show that IMQA was born. Springfield, Illinois was the next location of MQS®. The Crowne Plaza Hotel hosted the show from 1999 to 2004. In 2000, the quilt show portion of MQS® was organized by IMQA. Working together with Marcia and Tom Stevens the board of directors of IMQA continued to organized the quilt show portion of MQS® until the show was purchased from the Stevens' in 2003. From that point to the present IMQA has owned MQS® and has produced the largest convention and quilt show geared toward the longarm quilting industry. In 2005 the show moved again to the current location, Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kansas.
