Ryman and London Graphic Centre entrepreneur loves ‘fantastic buzz’ at London Stationery Show
Retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis is to give an open talk as part of the Workshops & Talks line-up at the London Stationery Show, which takes place Tuesday 14 May and Wednesday 15 May at London’s Business Design Centre.
Never one to hold back on his views the former tv Dragon is well known to the greeting card and stationery industry, especially as he is the owner of Ryman and the London Graphic Centre, so will be sure to draw a crowd for his 12.30pm slot on the first day of the show, Tuesday 14 May.
“I have some great recollections of the original Stationery & Office Products Show,” said Theo. “The London Stationery Show is always a fantastic event, has a fantastic buzz and really shows what makes the stationery industry tick!”
Rob Willis, coo of London Stationery Show‘s new owners Max Publishing, said: “Anyone who has ever heard Theo speak before will know how passionate he is about business and, in particular, the High Street – not to mention his detailed knowledge of product which surprises me each time we speak.
“Theo is also a leading voice in the push for government to overhaul of the business rates system and a champion of small businesses, as evidenced by his long-running Small Business Sunday initiative. This really will be one talk you don’t want to miss – do register for your entry pass today.”
The show takes place at the BDC in Islington, which has just been crowned the Best UK Venue in a new category at the annual Exhibition News Awards, building on last year’s Best Venue Under 8,000sq m trophy.
Theo joins an expansive programme, with highlights including Martha Keith from Martha Brook London talking about building an engaged community on Instagram, and Martin Duffy and Rob Spindley from Crayola discussing building a brand.
Graphologist Christina Strang bridges the gap between talk and workshop by getting hands on with handwriting, and visitors can also participate in workshops on bullet journaling and doodling, clay modelling and sustainability.
Christina, of Ghost Tree, will be giving her Writing Revelations talk explaining what handwriting says about us, how analysis can give insights into attitude, motivations and behaviour and may also indicate untapped skills and abilities, and will offering one-on-one readings on the first day.
There’s also an independent retailer panel session hosted by Sarah Laker, owner of Stationery Supplies in Marple and Wilmslow and the ambassador for National Stationery Week, who will be giving insights along with Sandra Jervis of Lampeter’s Creative Cove, Sally Stephenson of The Pencil Case in Cowbridge, Ray Williams of JPS Stationers in Chesham, and David Worsfold of Farrants in Cobham.
Looking forward to this year’s show, event manager Chantelle White summed up: “We’re really excited about bringing the London Stationery Show 2024 to life. With the wealth of new product launches, the programme of workshops and talks – plus the Stationery Awards event at the end of the first day of the show, the activity will be full on stationery, and certainly not be stationary!”
View the full details of the programme here for the London Stationery Show, which runs over 14-15 May at the Business Design Centre. Visitor registration is open and free for retailers, buyers, dealers and other resellers of stationery.
London Stationery Show Workshops & Talks
Tuesday, 14 May
10.00-10.30: Workshop – Lou Sims, Royal Talens, Joys Of Bullet Journaling & Doodling
10.45-11.15: Talk – Kayleigh Milton, Stabilo, Hand-Lettering With Kayleigh
11.30-12.00: Workshop – Nikki Killinger, ExaClair, Joys Of Clay Modelling With Cernit
12.30-13.00: Talk – Theo Paphitis, owner of Ryman & London Graphic Centre
13.30-14.30: Talk/Workshop – Christina Strang, Ghost Tree, Writing Revelations
15.00-15.30pm: Workshop – Rob Hutchins, Products Of Change, Pushing The Envelope On Sustainability
15.45-16.15pm: Workshop – Lou Sims, Royal Talens, Joys Of Watercolour Markers & Inks
Wednesday, 15 May
10.30-11am: Workshop – Martin Duffy and Rob Spindley, Crayola, Category Thought Leadership and Building Your Brand
11:15-11.45am: Talk – Manuscript Brands, Lego Stationery Insight
12:15-12:45pm: Talk – Martha Brook, Martha Brook London, 0-100K On Instagram: How I built an engaged brand community and how you can do it too for your shop/business
13.00-13.30pm: Workshop – Nikki Killinger, ExaClair, Joys Of Clay Modelling With Cernit
14.00-14.30pm: Indies Talking Shop – panellists include independent retailers Sandra Jervis, Creative Cove; Sarah Laker, Stationery Supplies; David Worsfold, Farrants; Sally Stephenson, The Pencil Case and Ray Williams, JPS Stationers
15.00-15.30pm: Talk – Manuscript Brands, Cross Pens An Introduction
The London Stationery Show, runs over May 14 – 15 at the Business Design Centre. Visitor registration is open and free for retailers, buyers, dealers and other resellers of stationery. It is not open to the general public.
