A powerful line-up of buyers are all fired up to be the ‘dragons’ at the GCA’s imminent Speed-dating with Dragons event that will see publishers being able to pitch their ranges and companies to leading multiples and indies.
There are a few places remaining for publishers (who are GCA members) to attend as well as one slot for an independent retailer who would like to be a ‘dragon’.
Buyers from Card Factory, Garsons, House of Cards, John Lewis & Partners, Lark London, Oliver Bonas, Morley Group, Paperchase, RHS, Sainsbury’s and Scribbler will be joined by prominent indies, including Belly Button, Medici Gallery, Mooch, Objectables, Stationery Supplies and Walkers Books in the ‘dragons’ den.
Taking place at London’s Business Design Centre, following the hugely successful format of the GCA’s previous Dragons’ Speed-dating events, over the course of an afternoon, this will provide 72 greeting card publishers with the opportunity to present their products via a series of quickfire one-to-one conversations.
“Our Speed-dating events are such a fun and valuable way of publishers gaining invaluable feedback from retailers while also enabling retailers to source some new suppliers,” commented Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA. “And with each buyer going home with a goody bags of sample cards from each of the participating publishers even more connections can be made.”
As well as the presentations to retailers, the afternoon event (which will start at 12.45pm and finish around 5pm) will also include a panel discussion covering a variety of salient industry topics.
Sharing their business experiences, and responding to the questions, will be GCA Council members Rachel Hare (owner of Belly Button), Daniel Prince (managing director of Danilo), Adriana Lovesy (owner of Mrs Lovesy), Darren Cave (commercial director of UKG), and supplier GCA member Will Miles from Briffa, legal specialists in intellectual property law.
The cost for a place is £90+VAT. To book email hello@gca.cards including Sept DSD in the subject line, and detail the name(s) of the people attending. Places will be booked on a first-come-first-served basis.
Plans are already underway for a 2022 Speed-dating event, which is to take place at the end of February, again at the BDC.
Top: A scene from the last Speed-dating with Dragons event.
