It is now three months to go until Progressive Greetings Live 2021 and the excitement from exhibitors, retailers and the show’s sponsors is already starting to build. It is all systems go for PG Live 2021 which will take place on Tuesday 27 July and Wednesday 28 July at London’s Business Design Centre with exhibiting publishers well underway with their plans for the new ranges to be launched, registrations from leading multiple and indie retailers are building strongly while ideas to add the extra touches are being hatched.
“After over a year of no trade shows, PG Live 2021 is all revved up for it to be a fantabulous reunion of the greeting card community!” exclaimed Jakki Brown, co-show director of PG Live. “Buyers will be hit from all angles with thousands of new designs from leading brands as well as from stunning new start-ups, and then there are all the other lovely bits – the unrivalled feeling of friendship, the upbeat atmosphere and perks such as free cuppas, lunches and an opening night party,” Jakki added.
The exhibitor line-up is already stellar roster of leading names. Abacus Cards, The Art File, Belly Button Designs, Cath Tate Cards, Danilo, Emotional Rescue, Five Dollar Shake, Hallmark, IC&G, Ling Design, Ohh Deer, Paperlink, Paper Salad, Pigment, UK Greetings, Words ‘n’ Wishes, Wendy Jones-Blackett and Woodmansterne Publications will be among those presenting inspiring new designs and ranges for every card-giving occasion imaginable while there will be also fresh designs galore from new sparkling brands such as Animo Alphabets, Arnelle Woker, Bexi Cards and The Seed Card Company.
To register for tickets for PG Live, retail buyers can click here.
“I really love the Progressive Greetings Live – if you are a retailer reading this and have never visited, I implore you to go,” states Maggie Wynn, owner, Just Cards, Honiton, freely sharing her view of the show as an indie. “We always come back with new and exciting ranges. The hospitality at the show is brilliant! After a lot of ordering there is the after party for some socialising with old and new friends, which is a great end to a very successful day.”
Meanwhile, many leading multiples and grocers have the dates in their diaries too.
“I will be there with knobs on!” promises Carly Pearson, senior buyer of cards and wrap for Sainsbury’s. “I so want to see everyone and to be able to touch the products in a real sense. I can’t wait! It will be an invaluable opportunity to do some important range scouting for our future selections.”
Sarah Moughtin, card buyer for John Lewis & Partners and Waitrose is also counting down the days. “It’s in the diary! I am really looking forward to PG Live – it feels long overdue to see and speak to all our publishers old and new! It will be a key moment for us to start thinking about planning for 2022. I just can’t wait to see all the new designs,” she says.
As a real industry gathering, the show, as ever has wholehearted support from many leading trade suppliers who will be both exhibiting as well as sponsoring various elements to add the extra touches. Among these are Fedrigoni who is to work some magic on the Gallery Hall where the delicious lunch will be served; specialist printer Windles is taking care of the popular tea trolleys and coffee points; GF Smith is to provide stylish sustainable badge holders and lanyards; The Imaging Centre is sponsoring the Springboard lounge area while there will also be a historical exhibition of greeting cards courtesy of the GCA.
PG Live Exhibitor Meeting
Helping to ensure that exhibitors don’t miss a trick, the PG Live team are holding a meeting (via Zoom) next Wednesday (5 May) starting at 11am and lasting for around hour to go through everything. Any exhibitor wishing to attend the meeting should email Jim Bullough, PG Live’s marketing manager on jimb@max-publishing.co.uk or ring him on 07734 111633.
www.progressivegreetingslive.com
Top: Islington’s Business Design Centre is to once again host PG Live in July.
