GREETING CARD ASSOCIATION AND DALLAS MARKET CENTER AGREE TO LAUNCH NEW GCA VILLAGE EXHIBIT SPACE OPPORTUNITY AT 2020 WINTER AND SUMMER SHOWS

GCA Village concept expands to the regional show for the first time 

WASHINGTON, DC – November 26, 2019 – The Greeting Card Association and Dallas Market Center have agreed to offer members of the association “GCA Village” space, exclusive to newer GCA publisher members, at the winter and summer 2020 shows as part of a larger effort to expand trade show opportunities for members. The expanded program launches in Dallas in January, 2020. The partnership is expected to continue into 2021.  

The GCA looks forward to offering access to new services and opportunities that provide enhanced visibility for all members, regardless of their location. “The start of a new tradeshow season is always an exciting time for GCA members,” notes George White, President of the GCA. “But it’s also important to make the right choices when it comes to use of scarce company resources. Our expansion of the GCA Village program, and the launch of GCA’s Noted: The Greeting Card Expo earlier this year, bring new, enhanced regional exhibit opportunities for member companies to reach a broader audience at an affordable price.”

The goals for the organization for 2020 include taking steps to increase member and volunteer engagement. “Some member publishers are exhibiting at trade shows for the first time and are unsure if they have the resources to travel to shows outside their area. We want to send a message that trade shows are still viable and are, in many cases, the best option for high-level interaction with clients, old and new.”

Expansion of the GCA Village program ensures that the latest products from GCA members will be more accessible than ever. “The GCA’s growing membership continues to design products that appeal to today’s engaged shoppers. And of course, the availability of new and diverse product in stores will benefit consumers and our retail partners,” said Peter Doherty, Executive Director.

Exhibit space will be sold to GCA members directly by Dallas Market Center personnel. Members who are signed up to exhibit at Noted 2020 will receive a 10% discount on each Dallas Market Center GCA Village space purchased. Because one objective of this program is to secure newer publishers and/or those who have been in showrooms before but are moving out to the temporaries for future shows, GCA members may only participate in two GCA Village exhibitions at DMC and cannot have exhibited separately at DMC during 2019. “We are excited about this new partnership with the Dallas Market Center to facilitate more member involvement in this key market, and look forward to strong results, in 2020 and beyond,” concluded George.

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About the GCA

The Greeting Card Association is the U.S. trade association serving the greeting card and social expression industry. Its signature industry events include the LOUIE Awards, the annual fall Workshop and Retreat, and *Noted: The Greeting Card Expo™ – an event by and for the greeting card community.

Founded in 1941, the GCA is supported by 200 American and international publishers from businesses ranging from start-ups to established companies of all sizes, scopes and industry tenure — as well as suppliers that provide production services and wholesale product distribution.  Read more about the GCA.

About Dallas Market Center

Dallas Market Center is a global business-to-business trade center and the leading wholesale marketplace in North America connecting retailers and interior designers with top manufacturers in home décor, furniture, gifts, paper, lighting and fashion. Inside its dynamic, five million square foot campus, nearly 200,000 customers from all 50 states and 85 countries seek industry trends, business education and new products from exhibitors throughout the year via dominant trade events for gift, home décor, holiday and floral; the nation’s most comprehensive apparel and accessories markets featuring the latest styles from East Coast and West Coast designers; the world’s  largest western marketplace, opening in 2021; the largest residential lighting trade event in North America; and the largest and most successful open-daily design center. The marketplace is located in the strongest economic zone in the country. In addition, more than 80 percent of Dallas Market Center buyers report that they do not shop other market centers. To make plans for upcoming markets, visit the Dallas Market Center website and download the Dallas Market Center and Lightovation Apps. Also, keep up-to-date on all information by visiting Dallas Market Center on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the Dallas Market Center blog.