Love Flowed At The GCA’s ‘Dragons Speed-dating’

Monday’s (September 27) GCA Speed-dating with Dragons event, hosted at London’s Business Design Centre, was memorable for all involved. It was an afternoon to be remembered for the newbies presenting their wares for the very first time to retailers; for more established players demonstrating how they have reinvented their portfolios over the last few years; for retailers on the lookout for publishing gems; for how industry stalwarts selflessly shared their wealth of knowledge and for sense of the industry really getting back together that was all pervasive.

Here PG Buzz shares a photographic flavour of the afternoon event…

Above: Speed-dating in action. (Front) Jane Tattersall of Tattersall Designs (right) pitching to Sainsbury’s Emma Tanner.
Above: Speed-dating in action. (Front) Jane Tattersall of Tattersall Designs (right) pitching to Sainsbury’s Emma Tanner.
Above: Publishers were split into groups of six and the ‘dragons’ then selected who to take back to their ‘lair’.
Above: Publishers were split into groups of six and the ‘dragons’ then selected who to take back to their ‘lair’.
Above: All the dragons giving a thumb-up for the event! (Left-right) Sarah Laker (Stationery Supplies); Sandra O’Connell (Mooch); Catherine Laycock (Belly Button); Kate Neligan (Morleys); Hazel Small (RHS); Tim Reynolds (Medici); Chloe Allum (Moonpig); Sarah Moughtin (John Lewis & Partners); Dale Boreham (Moonpig); Jen Hutchison (Oliver Bonas); Miles Robinson (House of Cards); Tim Gould (Objectables); Aisling Crosland (Scribbler); Emma Tanner (Sainsbury’s); Kate Goss (Sainsbury’s); Niloufar Noorbakhsh (Jumping Bean) and Priya Aurora-Crowe (Lark).
Above: All the dragons giving a thumb-up for the event! (Left-right) Sarah Laker (Stationery Supplies); Sandra O’Connell (Mooch); Catherine Laycock (Belly Button); Kate Neligan (Morleys); Hazel Small (RHS); Tim Reynolds (Medici); Chloe Allum (Moonpig); Sarah Moughtin (John Lewis & Partners); Dale Boreham (Moonpig); Jen Hutchison (Oliver Bonas); Miles Robinson (House of Cards); Tim Gould (Objectables); Aisling Crosland (Scribbler); Emma Tanner (Sainsbury’s); Kate Goss (Sainsbury’s); Niloufar Noorbakhsh (Jumping Bean) and Priya Aurora-Crowe (Lark).
Above: The GCA’s ceo Amanda Fergusson (left) with Sainsbury’s Emma Tanner (centre) and Kate Goss with the winning card designs in the GCA x Sainsbury’s Black History Month Design Competition.
Above: The GCA’s ceo Amanda Fergusson (left) with Sainsbury’s Emma Tanner (centre) and Kate Goss with the winning card designs in the GCA x Sainsbury’s Black History Month Design Competition.
Above: House of Cards’ Miles Robinson (right) giving feedback to Deadpan’s Nick Padmore.
Above: House of Cards’ Miles Robinson (right) giving feedback to Deadpan’s Nick Padmore.
Above: Lanther Black’s Dominique Miranda and Jack Parker were there to video the event and take photographs.
Above: Lanther Black’s Dominique Miranda and Jack Parker were there to video the event and take photographs.
Above: It was a great opportunity for retailer friends – including Lark’s Priya Aurora-Crowe (left) and Jumping Bean’s Niloufar Noorbakhsh - to catch up.
Above: It was a great opportunity for retailer friends – including Lark’s Priya Aurora-Crowe (left) and Jumping Bean’s Niloufar Noorbakhsh – to catch up.
Above: While half the publishers were in the ‘den’ the other half were able to listen to talks from GCA Council Members Rachel Hare (Belly Button), (second left) Darren Cave (UK Greetings) and (far right) Daniel Prince (Danilo) as well as from Briffa’s Will Miles.
Above: While half the publishers were in the ‘den’ the other half were able to listen to talks from GCA Council Members Rachel Hare (Belly Button), (second left) Darren Cave (UK Greetings) and (far right) Daniel Prince (Danilo) as well as from Briffa’s Will Miles.
Above: All smiles from some of the publisher attendees.
Above: All smiles from some of the publisher attendees.

The next GCA Speed-dating with Dragons event is being planned for late February 2022.

Top: All of the ‘dragons’ – who were a mixture of leading multiples, small groups and indies.

MORE NEWS
Abroad stamps Feature Image
 
Posting from abroad cheaper than UK first class, as latest moves on Royal Mail takeover revealed...
Greetings charity Feature Image
 
Cardfactory, Scribbler, Cards Direct, Post Office, and Redback all step up...
Moonpig ads Feature Image
 
Online retailer’s iconic porker trots out seasonal twist on brand’s story...
Papier Posters Feature Image
 
Stationery and card brand’s guerrilla ad campaign hits London streets...
GCA college Feature Image
 
Creative students hear details of joys of working in greetings industry...
BIRA high street Feature Image
 
Love your High Street!...
Get the latest news sent to your inbox
Subscribe to our daily newsletter

The list doesn't exist! Make sure you have imported the list on the 'Manage List Forms' page.