The GCA has kicked off its plans for this year’s AGM and Conference with some star players already signed up as keynote speakers. For what’s set to be a memorable event, taking place in Manchester’s stunning Bridgewater Hall on Thursday 14 October, the full day conference and AGM will bring together the association’s publisher, retailer and trade supplier members.
“I am so proud that our great creative city will be hosting this year’s AGM,” said Karen Wilson, co-owner of Paper Salad who, together with fellow Manchester-based publishers on the Council, Rachel Hare, md of Belly Button Design and Raj Arora, md of Davora have secured the perfect venue, have lined up some great speakers already and are aiming for it to be a day to remember.
Rachel Hare, reigning president of the GCA is delighted that, having been held virtually last year for Covid-reasons that this year the physical gathering will take place in the creative powerhouse of Manchester, and has encapsulated the vibrancy of the city in the livery for the event.
Among the speakers already up are David Greaves, joint managing director of Emotional Rescue, who hails from Manchester, leading independent retailer David Robertson and Jo Bennett, studio director of Card Factory.
“After the last 12 months of partial isolation we’ve all faced, I am really looking forward to seeing and welcoming everyone to my home city,” said David Greaves.
Alluding to the fact that they are both avid Manchester United fans and good friends, David Robertson quipped that he felt honoured to be sharing the stage with David Greaves. “The event will have two strikers – we could be the Yorke and Cole of the card trade!” referencing the winning combination of Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke, who scored 53 goals between them in during the 1998/99 season that defined an entire era of dominance for Manchester United.
The Bridgewater Hall, where the AGM and Conference is to be staged is Manchester’s international concert venue that is home to three resident orchestras -the Hallé, the BBC Philharmonic and Manchester Camerata – and is also famed for its magnificent Marcussen organ which includes 5500 pipes.
the largest instrument of its kind to be installed in Britain for almost a century and is the jewel in the crown of one of Europe’s finest concert halls. It includes 5500 pipes.
