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There’s plenty of newness for greetings and stationery buyers at Autumn Fair

Greeting cards and stationery buyers visiting Autumn Fair are in for a treat this September. As an increasingly popular sector, Greetings & Stationery is going to be packed full of the most vibrant and innovative collections of every kind of greetings and stationery products, bringing together creative, fun and colourful greeting cards, wrapping papers, stationery and paper decorations.

Thousands of leading retailers including Card Factory, John Lewis, Coney’s, Walt Disney Co., Marks & Spencer, Wilkies, Artistic Gift Boutique, Fortnum & Mason, and Moonpig have already registered to attend from September 3-6 at NEC Birmingham and will discover nine GCA members debuting at Autumn Fair. Fox Under the Moon, which was recently awarded the Gift Association People’s Choice Award, is joined by Susel & Co, Nicole Elders, Little Giorgo’s Designs, Dixon Does Doodles, Angies Folk Art, Richart Designs, and Coach House Partners.

Visitors will also discover new collections from established favourites including The Art File, Paper Salad, Cardology, Emotional Rescue, The Little Dog Laughed, Five Dollar Shake, Emma

Ball, Louise Tiler, Penguin Ink, and The Seed Card Company.

Joining the line-up for the first time is Manuscript, which distributes its ownbrand calligraphy and pen products across the world, as well as an extensive collection of pens and craft products from leading brands, along with luxury ribbon brand Ribbonly, with its popular range of ribbons for decorating. For cute, sarcastic humour for all occasions, make a beeline for Hazel Bee Cards for its 100% recycled, compostable, FSC and UK-made cards.

What: Autumn Fair

Where: NEC Birmingham

When: 3-56 September

Autumn Fair will once again be supporting the GCA’s Thinking Of You Week, a special week that harnesses the emotional power of greeting cards to create a wave of love, caring and happiness. The GCA is also embarking on a national campaign and activity designed to remind UK consumers how much they love sending and receiving cards and that cards build connections. Visit Autumn Fair to see how you can get involved and support #Cardmitment and drive sending cards to Christmas and beyond.

Web: www.autumnfair.com

Exhibitors share what they love about the show…

Dean Morris at Dean Morris Cards:

What do you enjoy about the show?

I like that the show is local to me - from a purely financial point of view I save cash on accommodation and food and beverages. I bring in my gorgeous homemade sushi lunchboxes every day! It’s a smaller show than the behemoth of Spring so seems a bit more manageable. The judgement is out on Connect yet though, I’d love it to work but I have reservations. Although appointments aren’t necessary for any buyers that haven’t signed up.

Any tips for newbie visitors?

Just work your way methodically round the aisles and make notes of the stands you want to come back and visit.

Any show offers we can tell our readers about?

I offer my spinner deal at every show. Fill a 36-pocket spinner with cards and the spinner is included free of charge. What one product or range should greeting cards buyers check out at the show?

My Fabulous range that has been evolving and growing since 2006 is always a firm favourite with buyers at all shows, so I’ll always show this off first. And of course Christmas for any last-minute seasonal purchases.

Sue Morrish at the Ecofriendly Card Company:

What do you enjoy about the show?

The diversity of visitors is great; from garden centres to specialist card shops, museums to post offices. And it’s a bit more laid back than Spring Fair!

Any tips for newbie visitors?

Bring a water bottle, you’ll be able to fill it up free of charge, which is more eco-friendly and will save you money. It’s good to have a plan of people you definitely want to see, but don’t be too rigid, be open to that wonderful surprise that is just around the corner!

What’s your most memorable story/experience from previous shows?

Our first Autumn Fair was on a stand supported by the Prince’s Youth Business Trust, which had helped establish the business back in 1993. The set-up day coincided with the funeral of Princess Diana and I remember there were big TVs set up in the hall so people could watch it.

Any show offers we can tell our readers about?

To celebrate our 30th anniversary we’re giving away 30 boxes of champagne chocolates for customers who place an order with us at the show – first come first served!

What one product or range should greeting cards shops check out at the show?

Our diverse and distinctive ranges include more than 20 artist-named ranges and wonderful photographic cards, including the recently Henries short-listed range for The Wildlife Trusts.