Three weeks today, on November 4, the GCA’s first ever digital Conference and AGM will be well underway. The booking line has just ‘gone live’ for the online morning/early afternoon event, which is aimed at being the most inclusive ever. Click here to book your place.
The packed agenda will include a series of industry insights, inspiring talks, panel discussions, retailing revelations as well as the latest environmental developments from trade suppliers.
As Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA, highlighted when the move to a digital platform was officially announced last week on PG Buzz (https://www.pgbuzz.net/gcas-digital-agm-and-conference-on-november-4-to-be-the-most-inclusive-ever), “The greeting card industry is a tight knit community that enjoys and thrives on interaction. While we may all be currently separated physically, by using top digital platform Hopin, we will importantly be able to bring everyone together for our annual AGM and Conference – and the facility of being able to ‘chat’ to each other during the breaks is bound to be a popular feature!”
With an aim to make it “great greeting card telly”, a phrase coined by GCA council member, Jeremy Corner, md of Blue Eyed Sun, the ‘programme’ will encompass the official unveiling of the UK Greeting Card Market Report (commissioned by the GCA) by Darren Cave, commercial director of UKG and GCA council member; a mission statement from reigning GCA president Rachel Hare, md of Belly Button Designs as well as a trio of lively panel discussions.
Retail expert, Michael Weedon, md of Exp2, chair of Federation of Small Business’ Retail and High Street Policy Unit and head of the High Street Advisory Board for Save The High Street campaign will front the two retail panel discussions, giving an overview of the health and wealth of the changing retail landscape.
While one retail panel discussion will see views exchanged as to the current state of trade, their hunches for Christmas as well as opportunities and threats for the industry, another will be totally focused on how online has and is playing a greater role in the sector.
Another significant discussion will be on the subject of diversity and inclusivity in the greeting card industry, with publishers and retailers exchanging views on progress thus far while highlighting some of the barriers and suggesting ways of achieving greater inclusivity in the card community.
Among the top names to be participating on the panel discussions include those from Bottom Drawer, Card Factory, Cards for Good Causes, Cardzone, HueTribe, KitsCH Noir, Lark, No. 14, Paperchase, Postmark, Mooch and Red Card.
The event will conclude with a lively question and answer session involving speakers and panellists.
The cost of attending the Conference is £15 (including VAT) per person with bookings made via the secure booking site, accessed by clicking here.
“Huge thanks to the support of our sponsors, which currently include Abbot Print, Fedrigoni, GF Smith, LB Warehousing, Loxleys and PJ Print, we have been able to keep the delegate cost to a minimum,” said Amanda. “Anyone who isn’t yet a member, we’d love to have you on board. This is a great reason to join.”
Any GCA member just wishing to attend the AGM element (which is 15 minutes) can do so free of charge by contacting Amanda on hello@gca.cards.
Top: This year’s GCA Conference and AGM will take place digitally on November 4.
