With the announcement that the US Greeting Card Association is launching its own standalone trade show in New York in May next year (see story on PG Buzz), Kelly Bristol, show director of the National Stationery Show (the long standing US greeting card exhibition) has reinforced the show’s commitment to the greeting card sector and highlighted the advantages of its decision to co-locate with the New York Now Gift Show in February 2019.
Kelly explained the rationale behind the decision to co-locate the NSS with the New York Now Gift Show: “The market for stationery and greeting cards has changed and consolidated in recent years, but there is an even greater appreciation for unique and innovative products. Co-locating with an event like NY NOW offers even greater exposure for our exhibitors and the opportunity for attending buyers to also shop stationery products, greeting cards and other related items.”
The NSS is a loyal sponsor of The Henries greeting card industry awards and has pledged its commitment to this year’s awards programme.
NY NOW attracts buyers and media from all 50 US states and more than 60 countries worldwide seeking unique trend-forward products across the home, lifestyle and gift spectrum. Kelly noted that the new time frame gives buyers earlier access to new designs and products. One badge will allow attendees to access the NSS, NY NOW and Surtex.
“With the co-location of the NSS alongside NY NOW, it is our goal is to place a significant investment in the NSS and to strengthen its importance to the stationery industry,” says Kelly. “The NSS will maintain its brand identity and autonomy, while providing access to thousands more buyers who attend NY NOW. The promotion of our co-location to NY NOW attendees will open new sales opportunities for NSS exhibitors, opportunities with buyers who did not previously attend the NSS.”
In an official announcement to members of the US GCA, by current president Christy Kaprosy, explained how the US GCA Executive Committee had voted unanimously to develop and manage a dedicated greeting card trade show for the US market. “After two months of extensive work by many of the volunteers on the Executive Committee (EC), as well as by GCA staff, the Executive Committee voted unanimously to develop and manage our own show, with the current GCA staff in a management role, focused exclusively on greeting cards and maintaining the preferred mid-May time slot.”
The official announcement went on to give a little more detail of the show, which will be held at the Brooklyn Expo Center over 18-20 May. “With no-cost happy hours, VIP Retailer shopping hours, an opening VIP retailer reception on Saturday night, and the opportunity for publishers of all sizes to make 5-minute pitches to key retailers.”
