GCA news

Thinking big for Thinking of You Week 2022

The GCA is going big for this year’s Thinking of You Week (19-25 September). GCA CEO Amanda Fergusson tells us that the organisation is expecting to see huge retailer uptake this year.

Taking part for the first time is Marks & Spencer, and Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, House of Cards and Co-op are just some of the other retailers who have already confirmed their plans for 2022.

The GCA has invested in a consumer PR programme - linking with influencers, TV, national press and magazines - to make a really big splash. And for this they want GCA members to take part. They ask that you send any news and images of your Thinking of You Week plans and activities to adriana@gca.cards.

Gallery images and news items will go up online, and will link back to suppliers’ websites - so it’s a great opportunity to link directly with consumers.

Book your conference ticket now!

The key threads running through this year’s GCA conference will be sustainability, diversity and supply chain challenges - and you can expect speakers to be addressing these issues.

One of the speakers will be the Lord-Lieutenant of Nottingham Sir John Peace - he is Chancellor of Nottingham Trent University and has had a long and distinguished business career at the highest levels in retail. He is a former Chairman of Burberry plc, and is likely to focus on export in his talk.

Ged Mace (pictured above) of The Art File is another speaker, who will be talking about the company’s 25th anniversary, its milestones, and how it has tackled the key issues of sustainability, diversity and supply chain challenges. (You can read more about the Art File in our Cover Story on page 14.)

Other speakers will include Richard Bacon, of printers Sherwood Press, and John May, one of the founders of retailer Mooch Home & Gift.

Other things to look forward to include a project with Birmingham City University, Manchester School of Art and Nottingham Trent University, which will be encouraging students to join the industry and enabling GCA members to connect with them.

Market research companies will also be talking about what consumers are doing - their thoughts on cards, sharing data on buying patterns, and how purchasing has changed since lockdown.

There’s also a chance to meet council members and ask questions.

The 2022 annual Conference and AGM will be held in Nottingham City centre, on Thursday 29 September at Nottingham Trent University. The event will start with coffee from 10.15am and finish by 4.30pm.

If you are staying overnight, James Mason of The Art File has organised an opportunity to meet for drinks the night before - a great chance to network before the event. Email james@theartfile.com to let him know you will be coming. Paul Taylor of Cardzone has generously sponsored the first drinks of the night.

Tickets are now available to purchase on the GCA website. Places are limited so do book your spot now at www.gca.cards/product/2022-gcaconference-agm.

Have your say!

The application date for this year’s Annual Market Report has been extended to Monday 25 July. This is a chance for GCA members to share their views on a number of issues, including how they are tackling environmental activity, such as recyclable material and cello and plastic packaging. GCA CEO Amanda Fergusson tells us that they want every member - however small - to complete the survey, so that they can ensure that the organisation is not underrepresenting your industry.

If you need to request a market report questionnaire, or have any queries, contact Regine.Raule@Echoresearch.com

You’ve got to be in it to win it!

The GCA is encouraging all its members to recognise the value of entering awards. As well as highlighting your work and making you and your team feel valued, awards can raise the profile of your company and brand with both customers and the wider community.

It also offers the opportunity for your product to get in front of key industry influencers and retail buyers who are often involved in the judging - and even if you don’t win, getting into the shortlist or finals offers the perfect opportunity to get some great publicity.

Make sure you shout about it both with your local community and with your customers and press (don’t forget to contact us here at Greetings Today!).

There are plenty of industry awards out there including the RETAS, the Henries, the Louies, Stationers’ Company Innovation Excellence Awards, Gift of the Year (GOTY) awards and the Greats – Gift Retailer of the year, and Best Small Shops, run by the Indie Retail Confederation. There’s also a number of local awards - do some research to find out what is out there.

Find out more at www.gca.cards/benefits-of-entering-awards.