September 29 is date for GCA’s 2022 Conference and AGM while latest members’ meet-ups kick off
Nottingham is to host this year’s GCA Conference and AGM, while a whole programme of GCA Local meet-ups has been kickstarted, enabling cardies to get together in their respective vicinities.
“Our 500-plus members are located throughout the UK, so it’s important that our annual conference and AGM is held in different locations to make them as accessible to all,” stated Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA.
As part of its all-encompassing national and local approach, the GCA is committed to reaching out to all members and try and ensure everyone can come together to discuss the greeting card community’s issues, while also networking and exchanging news.
For the first time in the GCA’s history, the trade association’s 2022 annual Conference and AGM will take place in Nottingham, in the city centre’s Nottingham Trent University on Thursday, 29 September.
Of the agenda for the day’s event, Amanda said: “We will be focusing on the hot topics affecting our industry, sharing the latest market research and, of course, it will be a great opportunity to meet others in the trade and exchange news – if you have ideas about who you’d like to hear speak, hot topics we should be covering or would like to get involved, please contact us.”
To promote the conference and AGM some special livery has been created by The Art File, as the Nottingham-based publisher is well-placed to tap into the city’s iconic landmarks.
Long-time GCA Council member and former president Ged Mace, managing director of The Art File, elaborated on some of the elements in the branding created by the publisher’s in-house designer Kate Mainard, as well as his personal connection with the venue.
“As a graduate of Nottingham Trent University, I not only took some of my exams in the building where the Conference and AGM will be held, but it was also where I collected my all-important grant!” shared Ged.
Of the bespoke image, he added: “Central to the illustration Kate has created is the Council House, fronted by two lions. It’s a tradition in Nottingham for people on a first date to meet in front of the left lion. It also features A Trip To Jerusalem, supposedly the oldest pub in England; Paul Smith’s flagship store; the city’s working windmill; a tram, and, tying it back to our industry, a post box.”
The Conference and AGM will kick off on September 29 at 10.15am with coffee and will officially finish by 4.30pm. The cost of attending, including lunch, is £80 per person. To book your place, click here. The GCA blog will be updated on a continual basis as plans for the day are confirmed.
Having been trialled by members in South London and Manchester a few months ago, the first official GCA Local event was held in Loughborough last week, instigated by Mark Callaby, co-owner of Ohh Deer and GCA Council member.
The Art File’s sales and marketing manager James Mace and Dandelion Stationery founder Jo Wilson were among those in attendance, enjoying a relaxed atmosphere while networking at the Needle & Pin pub.
This was part of the GCA’s determination to bring members together across the country, which sparked the idea for arranging small local meet-ups for members to attend.
As Amanda explained: “GCA Local events are about meeting up to chat about cards over a cup of coffee, or a drink after work. These are solely networking events and not a selling opportunity, it’s about sharing ideas and also feeding back to the GCA about issues where support is needed.
“It was great to see members in Loughborough last week, chatting about the challenges they were facing, sharing advice and experiences.”
There is small cost to attend a GCA Local event, which is used to secure the venue while also providing attendees with a drink on arrival.
Coming up next are GCA Local events at Bocobar, Bristol on Wednesday 4 May, from 11.30am to 1.30pm, with a central London Local the following day, Thursday 5 May, at the Betjeman Arms, within Kings Cross St Pancras station from 6pm to 8pm.
To attend one of these Locals click on the links, or to propose a Local in your area, contact Amanda Fergusson on amanda@gca.cards
Top: Discussion time – the annual conference and AGM are on September 29
