Focus PG Live
The Art File
Museums & Galleries
Live and kicking!
The greeting card industry will get together at the Business Design Centre for the 2022 PG Live trade show in June. We catch up with some of the exhibitors…
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very show has something special about it, and for Michelle Hindle, head of sales at Belly Button Designs, she likes the fact that PG Live allows her quality time with customers: “PG Live is such a lovely intimate show - as exhibitors we love the opportunity it gives us to spend quality time with our customers - and as a destination show for greetings, we can guarantee to meet new customers too!
‘‘We love sharing our latest designs when our team has been hard at work on a new range, and the customers love it too… there’s no better feeling’’ Emma Young, Managing Director, Paperlink “For buyers visiting, especially if they haven’t been to the show before, they will get real value out of their time there. It is a very focused event so you will spend more time looking at product and having useful conversations than you will walking from hall to hall like some of the other shows.
What: PG Live When: 7-8 June Where: Business Design Centre, Islington, London Web: www.progressivegreetingslive.com
Paperlink
“If you’re not based in the south or are not a frequent visitor to the capital (and I guess that goes for a lot of us over the past two years!) then the show also gives you a chance to come and shop (check out card-selling) or just enjoy a little retail and culinary therapy in general!’’ It’s the connection with others that is important to Paperlink MD Emma Young, too: “As a family business we love connection; it’s great to be back among old friends and welcome in some fresh new faces. We love sharing our latest designs when our team has been hard at work on a new range, and the customers love it too… there’s no better feeling. It’s a great chance to really get to know the needs of the buyers and help them stand out from their competition! We’re always looking for ideas and innovation, and the show offers us the chance to showcase our latest designs with buyers from around the world.’’ Helen Dyson at Dyson Design agrees. She loves, “meeting our lovely customers and getting to know new people, which is even more special after the experience of the past couple of years.’’ We wondered if our exhibitors had any tips for anyone visiting for the first time. Emma Young at Paperlink has this advice: “Take information home, make notes. I use OneNote on my phone so I can search back through my notes to find information. It also backs up the data to my computer for easy access.’’ Helen Dyson at Dyson Design adds: “Give yourself plenty of time to see everything and to chat with exhibitors, especially if you want to order on the stand to take advantage of show offers - for example, we’ll be giving 10% off for orders placed on the stand.’’
Paperlink
‘‘Give yourself plenty of time to see everything and to chat with exhibitors’’ Helen Dyson, Dyson Design And if you’re debating whether to make the trip, Paperlink’s Emma Young might help you make up your mind… “Every show is different and has its place in our hearts… but last year made us realise just how much we love being a part of the greeting card sector. With the past cancellations and disruptions it was so nice to be able to see everyone again in the flesh. With working from home, our designers had tapped into new-found inspiration and it was fantastic to be able to show off the new designs and see visitors’ reactions on the stand. Nothing satisfies our creative itch like seeing our designs draw a genuine smile. It inspired us to work even harder this year and we’re coming back with so much more to showcase. We can’t wait to see those smiles once again!’’
And finally…
However enjoyable they are, shows can be hard on buyers and exhibitors alike. To keep you refreshed, look out for the tea trolleys - where you can get a real cuppa in a proper cup! And make sure you enjoy your free lunch (provided for exhibitors and buyers alike), and pop a note in the diary - the first day features an opening night drinks party! Oh - and don’t miss the display of cards, which will be winging their way to HM The Queen from Greeting Card Association members and PG Live exhibitors.
16 www.greetingstoday.co.uk
