Check out digital brochure and send in questions to Royal Mail’s David Gold
There’s just a week to go to the GCA AGM & Conference with only a handful of tickets left – and, to give a taster of the day, there’s a digital version of the brochure available so you can check out what will be going on.
With all the lowdown on the day’s events at the Bristol Harbour Hotel on Thursday, 19 September, the brochure also explains the GCA’s role, covers the 10th anniversary of Thinking Of You Week – which starts on Sunday! – Caring At Christmas, #Cardmitment, and Festive Friday.
A physical version of the brochure will also be ready and waiting on everyone’s seats, having kindly been printed by Alpha Colour Printers and can be seen coming off the press in the video below. It was designed by Stormy Knight’s Sarah Jackson, with a section designed by Wendy Jones-Blackett showcasing the GCA’s council members with a card that means something special to them.
With the latest news over Ofcom’s proposals for Royal Mail, and the inflation-busting 22% rise in the price of a first-class stamp to £1.65, a big draw has to be the appearance of RM’s director of external affairs and policy David Gold, who has promised to explain how the 508-year-old firm is looking to protect the universal service, as well as expand on preparations for the upcoming Christmas season.
And he’s keen to hear members’ concerns over the postal service so questions are invited, which should sent to amanda@gca.cards.
Also on the conference roster are James Taylor, commercial director at Cardzone, who will reveal insights into the growth of the family business; Mark Callaby tells the story of Ohh Deer, the company he co-founded; James Ellis owner James Stevens will be looking at sustainability differently; and research company Kantar will deliver 2024 insights about consumers greeting card purchasing habits.
GCA president Darren Cave, who is also commercial director of UK Greetings, will be talking about the association’s work to protect and promote the industry; there will be info on the rebooting of the website, as well as a presentation from vice-president and Paper Salad owner Karen Wilson on the importance of sharing knowledge, and council member Seth Woodmansterne, MD at Woodmansterne, will unveil the latest GCA Market Report.
With the event taking place in Bristol for the first time, it’s a hotbed of greeting card activity as a goodly number of publishers and suppliers are based in and around the area, including Apricot Cards, Bold & Bright, Clanna Cards, Emily Nash Illustration, Emotional Rescue, Ink And Snail, James Ellis, Jane Buurman Handmade, Kenzie Sorensen, Ling Design, Littledart Fulfilment, Lucy Driver Illustration, Oliver Preston Cartoons, PBS Warehousing, Peartree Press, Penguin Ink, Ricicle Cards, Stormy Knight, and Urban & Wild.
The AGM & Conference is on Thursday, 19 September, and association members can book their tickets for both the event and the fun networking drinks the evening before, kindly sponsored by Ling Design and Emotional Rescue, next door to the main venue at Dirty Martini Bristol from 6pm.
