Over the past few years the number of international exhibitors has increased, with more publishers looking to break into the UK market. PGBuzz speaks to a few exhibitors flying into London to show their wares at PG Live this week.
Attracting buyers from over 40 countries, PG Live is proud to be a truly international show. A range of overseas exhibitors also helps ensure a truly diverse portfolio. Adding a global flavour to the showfloor are Pabuku (from Austria), Alljoy Designs Garlanna, P&G Cards (all from Ireland), Artige (from Holland), fotoeigenArt (from Switzerland), Lovi and Maarit Kontiainen (both from Finland) and Affirmations and I Ended Up Here (both from Australia).
From Switzerland, fotoeigenArt (stand 535) is a successful photographic greeting card company with 10 years experience in business. Raphael Oerer, marketing manager explains what the company is planning for PG Live: “We believe that we are offering something different, which hasn’t been seen yet in the UK. We have never exhibited outside of Switzerland, but we are sure this is the right platform to present our designs to any potential buyers.”
Pabuku – The Queer Paperie (stand 772) is an award-winning Austrian brand, with a playful approach to diversity and LGBTIQ. In the first two years since its inception, Pabuku has captured the imagination of customers in Germany, Austria and other European countries and is now ready to engage the English speaking world.
“We are delighted to be showcasing our whimsical designs at PG Live 2017 for the very first time,” says co-founder Ulla Klopf. “Focusing on greeting cards, PGL provides a great opportunity to launch our line in the UK; a market which is new to us. It’s a very direct way to get in touch with distributors and a targeted sales pitch is much easier when we know that the visitors are especially interested in cards. Our cards are designed with a diverse and queer context – something which we could not find even in the UK. So we believe that we are offering something new. Our illustrations are storytelling at its best and an invitation to all to think outside the box.”
All Pabuku show orders at PGL will be entered into a draw with the chance to win the order for free (up to max. €500).
Another new exhibitor this year is Affirmations Publishing House (stand 541); making the trip all the way from Australia. A long-established publisher with 29 years in Australia and New Zealand, Nick Vale, communication and marketing manager says the company made the decision to come to PG Live “by the substantial increase in the number of UK residents buying our cards, books and gifts via our online store.” Affirmations will be showing its complete range of greeting cards, gifts and books. “Our aim in coming to PG Live is to source a distributor for the UK. We are also on the lookout for designs that we can take back to Australia,” says Nick.
While not new to PG Live, Garlanna (stand 229) is looking forward to making the trip across the Irish Sea. “PG Live is an important show for us, as we are actively expanding our UK business at the moment and currently recruiting sales agents all over the UK. We are so excited to showcase our hugely successful product range – we will also be launching several new ranges including our quirky collection of Little Moments and our traditional range Words of Warmth,” says marketing manager, Rachel Tyrrell.
Pictured at top: Cards from Pabuku’s range
