Pitch Programs at *Noted

February 1-3, 2026
in partnership with NY NOW
Javits Center, New York City

Pitch Programs get you face-to-face with buyers – so you can WOW them!

Our Pitch Programs give exhibitors the opportunity to each pitch their line in a brief session with a panel of invited retailers. (Shark Tank style!) The past eight editions—live in Brooklyn in 2019 and San Francisco in 2022, 2023, and 2024, in Las Vegas in 2025, the virtual Black Makers Pitch Program in 2020, and at the virtual *Noted event in 2021—generated significant business growth for makers and retailers alike, so, at the request of makers and retailers alike, we are once again offering Pitch Programs at *Noted.

The 2026 *Noted Pitch Programs will take place LIVE on the show floor the mornings of Sunday, February 1st and Monday, February 2nd before the show floor opens. A group of retailers will be walked to your exhibit space for you to give your pitch in-person. As an event by the community, for the community, the Pitch Programs are unique to *Noted and are one of the most beneficial opportunities for exhibitors.

2026 Pitch Programs:

• General Pitch Programs – This is it – your opportunity to pitch your vision, your brand, and your cards. Your story is what makes your cards stand out, so prep that elevator speech and get ready to tell your story and make a splash. Receivers of this pitch program will be from a variety of sizes and geographics – key accounts, individual retailers, and reps. The cost to participate is $250.
• Find New Makers – Retailers are always looking for a fresh selection of cards from up-and-coming new Makers. If you’ve been in business for three years or less, this program is for you. This pitch program will be scholarship-based, so the recipients of the scholarship will have the $250 fee waived.
• Discover Makers of Color – GCA recognizes the systematic boundaries that have limited the voices, impressions, and reach of Makers of Color.  As a community, we must continue to learn, adapt, and highlight these Makers to push industry inclusion, belonging, and representation. This pitch program will be scholarship-based, so the recipients of the scholarship will have the $250 fee waived.

2026 Pitch Program Timeline:

• October 30: Applications open (scholarships AND others)
• November 30: Applications close (scholarships AND others)
• Week of December 15: All pitchers contacted and announced
• Week of January 6: Virtual training/Q&A sessions
• February 1 and 2: Live pitches

2026 Pitch Program Recipients:

The below list are companies who have agreed to walk the pitch programs this year. More are being added every week!

• Lockwood
• Postmark’d
• Hitchcock Paper
• Barnes & Noble/Paper Source
• Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store
• Awesome Brooklyn
• Flax Pen to Paper
• Woods Grove
• Page + Post

Questions about our Pitch Programs? Email us!