PG Live 2022

It’s Show Time!

STOP! PG Live time iPG Live time me Roll up, roll up…the greatest greeting card show is about begin! Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 June will see the global card community being together at PG Live 2022.

Retailers large and small, almost 200 publishers of all genres, overseas distributors from all over the world, trade suppliers extraordinaire will be there.

PG shares just some of the magic ingredients…

Above: Rosie Made a Thing will be one of the many exhibitors at the show.

The product and the people

There will be thousands upon thousands of new designs and products being launched at the show, from leading brands right through to brand new start-ups.

As the following Innovations pages testify (as well as the dedicated Christmas section on pages 61-65), all genres and design, will be covered, from humour to art, cute to handmade, 3D to diversity as well as a healthy smattering of complementary gifts.

But what a great opportunity to meet the people behind the brands, hear their stories, exchange views and enjoy being part of it all!

As award-winning retailer, Andrea Pinder, of Presentation Cards and Gifts in Barrowford summed up: “PG Live is the creme de la creme of all the shows, and the reason it’s so important is that it delivers the best calibre of publishers the industry has to offer, along with the introduction of new publishers. I can’t wait to place my orders!”

Below: Not long now until the cutting of the ribbon to pronounce PG Live 2022 open for business!

Going for promotion

There will be a whole load of extra incentives and quirky elements from exhibitors. From ‘show only’ offers to competitions and surprise happenings on stands, and all adding to the positive vibe. There will be lots of fun to be had on the Penguin Ink stand, as anyone placing an order at the show will be able to roll a mega dice to see what discount they get off their order.

Abacus will be giving away a pair of Apple Airpods to anyone placing an order over £500 while a bottle of champagne will be given to retailers placing an order over £250 with Clare Maddicott. There will be a fair bit of anniversary celebration going on too at the show (see pages 67-73) from cake on Cath Tate’s stand to mark its 40th anniversary, to James Ellis planting four trees in the customer’s name in its Trees for Life grove for every order placed over £200. There will also be the flurry of excitement as retailers (who are winners and finalists in The Retas and The Greats retailer awards as well as Cardgains members), produce their ‘Willy Wonka’ tickets to seal the deals with extra aplomb. And even Bluey and Bingo, from the hit kids’ TV series will be there as will a real live Tatty Teddy adding to the great photo ops!

Above: Lizzie Parker of Penguin Ink practising some dice throwing! Left: Danilo has arranged for Bluey and Bingo to be there on the first day of the show.

Eat, drink and be merry

As ever, buyers (and exhibitors) will be incredibly well looked after. The popular PG Live tea trolleys will be out in force pouring out cuppas (in ‘proper’ cups) throughout the day (thanks to Windles) while a free delicious lunch will be served to exhibitors and visitors alike (sponsored by Ankorstore). There is also an opening night drinks party for all to christen the first day of bustling trade. Taking place straight after the show in the Gallery Hall, the corks will be popping from 6pm-7.45.

PG Live Show Essentials

When: Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 June 2022 Where: Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 0QH Timings: 9.30am-6.00pm (with a free opening night party onsite until 7.45pm) on the 7 June 9.30am-4.30pm on the 8 June Registration: Via the show website (www.progressivegreetingslive.com) or by calling +44 (0) 7734 111633 Getting there: The BDC is only a few minutes walk away from Angel underground station and 20 minutes walk from Highbury and Islington station. It is also a short taxi ride from Kings Cross/St Pancras and Euston while Waterloo, Liverpool Street and Paddington stations are easily accessible. www.progressivegreetingslive.com