Reliving PG Live 2022

Official show photos now available to see and download

This time last week, PG Live 2022 was in full swing, and the positive vibes from the show are still palpable as orders placed are now arriving with retailers, contacts made being followed up on and happy memories still very much front of mind.

**Above: (from left) It was a cheers from retailers Lovely Libby’s, Etcetera, Jo Amor, Highworth Emporium and Papilio at The Retas/Greats champagne reception at the show**

To relive the show and see all the official photos from the event, all of which are downloadable, click here.

Here PG Buzz shares some photographic evidence which gives a flavour of the show…

Tickets to ride

The flurry of Golden, Silver, Sunshine and Greats vouchers being produced on stands, bringing as much delight to the publishers who received them as the retailers who spent them, gave photographer Eddie a good workout as he dashed round the BDC to capture the moments.

**Above: Austin and Co’s Sean Austin (left) spending his ticket with Ohh Deer’s Mark Callaby**

**Above: Lucy Nicholson, founder of Lucy Maggie Designs/Sunshine Llama, with the shiny ticket from the Paperchase trio of (right-left) Tori Heath-Smith, Laura Clarke and Carlo Marinelli**

**Above: John Pye and Krystyna O’Brien, of The East Grinstead Bookshop, flashed their Golden Ticket in the direction of Rush Design’s Lorraine and Ian Bradley**

A true global gathering

As well as retailers coming from the length and breadth of the UK, with international travel restrictions lifted PG Live 2022 was a true global gathering. Overseas distributors and retailers came from all over the world, with many enjoying the International Drinks Reception held on the eve of the show to get them in the mood!

Above: A posse of Australian visitors at the International Drinks Reception with representatives from Affirmations, Scarpa, Hendersons/Waterlyn, Simson Cards, McMillan Cards & Gifts, and The Gallery Claremont

**Above: Ooh la la! Antibes-based retailer Fenella Holt (left) caught up with French-based Zazous Editions’ Laurent Reiz, Emilie Schickle and Becky Harris**

Jenny Cummins, md of McMillan Cards & Paper, Sydney, told PG Buzz: “PG Live is the most special show I attend in my annual calendar, and this year’s was the best. It’s so well organised, there is genuine hospitality and warmth, and every visitor is made most welcome with lunch provided and tea on tap. The exhibitors, who range from the largest to the smallest publishers, ensure there’s always new product to tempt. And, over all the years, I have always been inspired by what I see and find for McMillan. Thank you to all those people who made me so welcome.”

**Above: Jenny Cummins’ with PG Live’s Ian Hyder**

Special celebrations

Coinciding with the Platinum Jubilee weekend, the Queen was duly feted with a GCA/PG Live Cards For The Queen feature stand which showcased some of the special cards publishers had made for the monarch, as well as visitors being invited to write a card and pop it in the special postbox made by the cardboard maestros N Smith.

**Above: Some of the GCA council with special cards publishers had made for the Queen**

And there were several other milestones marked at the show, with Cath Tate Cards celebrating its 40th anniversary, Fedrigoni running a prize draw to win a trip to Verona to mark its UK company’s 30th, and trees are to be planted from each order placed with James Ellis as part of its 25th birthday, among the celebrations.

**Above: Corks were popped to celebrate Cath Tate Cards’ 40th anniversary**

**Above: The Fedrigoni team marking the UK company’s 30th birthday**

Notes & Queries’ 40th anniversary dinner

The eve of the show saw Notes & Queries host a very special dinner to mark the US distributor’s 40th anniversary – albeit it a couple of years late, due to the pandemic. Company founder Alan Harnik and his daughter Vanessa invited some of the many UK publishers, fellow distributor friends and agents who have played a part in the company’s evolution.