GREETING CARD ASSOCIATION TO LAUNCH TRADE SHOW IN MAY 2019;
EXCLUSIVE FOCUS, AFFORDABILITY & RETAILER MEETINGS WILL DELIVER ROI TO EXHIBITORS
New Show Will Attract Publishers of All Sizes as LOUIE Awards Tradition Continues
WASHINGTON, DC – August 3, 2018 — The Greeting Card Association (GCA) will launch and manage its own trade show, focused exclusively on greeting cards, starting in May 2019. Interested companies may pre-register for space now.
“After extensive conversations with our membership and potential show management partners as well as surveying exhibitors and retailers, I am excited to announce that the GCA Executive Committee voted unanimously to launch this show, which will represent the vitality, creativity and innovation of the greeting card industry and deliver ROI to our members and exhibitors,” said Christy Kaprosy, GCA President and EVP and Chief Commercial Officer, American Greetings.
This first GCA trade show (name in development) will be held May 18-20 in trendy Brooklyn at the Brooklyn Expo and will feature leading and emerging greeting card publishers in a beautiful, new space. In future years, the GCA is considering hosting the show in different cities, particularly in those cities that do not have effective gift and/or stationery shows.
“Greeting card publishers, GCA Associate members and industry supporters have many trade show options,” said Kaprosy. “We know that the new GCA show will be the best show for our industry and I encourage publishers to participate. We have space for approximately 141 exhibitors (publishers and affiliated suppliers) and we are confident that we will have a sold-out show,” she said.
Exhibitors at the GCA trade show will benefit from:
Great Spring-Selling Timeframe – preferred by publishers and retailers for new product launches and Christmas buying. It also allows the GCA to maintain its LOUIE Awards schedule and other related activities
Lower Costs, Increased Convenience – The “all-in cost” (including hard walls with shelving, table, chairs, move-in assistance (plus lunch and drinks each day) for a 6’x3′ booth is anticipated to be $1,995 for GCA members. Cost per square foot will be somewhat higher for larger booths; no booth will be larger than 20”x20.”
Reduced Costs for GCA Members – GCA members will receive the lowest cost and the first opportunity (via a 10-day, GCA member-only application period) to reserve their space. Non GCA members will pay a 20 percent premium.
Brooklyn Expo Center – a new, facility in trendy Brooklyn, with close proximity to Manhattan and at a fraction of the price of any Manhattan location.
New Complimentary Events and Services – Enjoy daily happy hours, VIP Retailer shopping hours, an opening VIP Retailer reception and the opportunity for any publisher to make a five minute “pitch” to key retailers.
LOUIE Awards – Complimentary Ticket – each exhibitor will receive a complimentary ticket to the LOUIE Awards, which recognizes the “best of the best” in the industry and will take place on the evening of May 19.
About the Greeting Card Association (GCA)
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the GCA is the U.S. trade association of the greeting card and social expression industry. Established in 1941, the GCA represents greeting card and stationery publishers, and industry suppliers. Read about GCA member benefits and become a member today.
# # #