25-27_Viewpoints.qxp_Grid 08/04/2024 18:19 Page 2
VIEWPOINTS
Dragon Slaying The recent GCA Dragons Speed-dating event had the retail buyer ‘Dragons’ firing on all cylinders, inspired by the pitches from the 72 publishers who made the most of the opportunity of these fast-paced face-to-face sales blasts. PG caught up with some of the dragons to discover which publishers had slayed them. Above: The Dragons of 2024. (Back row left-right): Liz Killick (Calladoodles), Miles Robinson (House of Cards), David Colman (Only Place for Pictures), Kaye Thurgood (Sincerely Yours), Andrea Pinder (Presentation), Shannon Fisher (Postmark),Kerry Nicholls (John Lewis), Jason Billings-Cray (John Lewis), Charlotte Green (Cardfactory), Laura Clarke (Scribbler), Vicky Joshi (Cardfactory), Tim Reynolds (Medici Gallery), Anita Thorpe (Diverse) and Sean Austin (Austin & Co. (Front row left-right) Priya Aurora-Crowe (Lark), Sarah Laker (Stationery Supplies), Sally Matson (Red Card), Shar Gothier (Sainsbury’s) and Nilou Noorbaksh (Jumping Bean).
Tori HeathSmith, buying manager of Scribbler: Dragon flying: “It was a pleasure to attend the Dragons event and be reminded just how much talent there is in the industry. The Above: (left-right) Ricicle Cards’ David Riceevent is so valuable Nicholls catching up with Scribbler’s Tori Heathfor a retailer to be able Smith and Laura Clarke and Stormy Knight’s Sarah Jackson. to meet so many new Below: Some cards from Feel Good Supplies. publishers in one place. It’s also a chance to catch up with some of the fantastic designers we already work with, including Lil Wabbit (who we met at last year’s event and now stock!), Stormy Knight, Ricicle Cards, Raspberry Blossom and Oh Squirrel.” Den delights: “There was so much talent this year, but a few who stood out to us include Feel Good Supplies, Stoats and Weasels and Lucky Ink. We will most definitely be placing orders as a result of the event and are already in conversation with a few and excited to get their new designs online and in store.”
Andrea Pinder, owner of Presentation, Barrowford: Dragon flying: “The event was full of excitement and enthusiasm from all who participated. Being a Dragon is such an honour as it’s the best feeling ever is when you know you’ve made a difference on advice given to a publisher.” Den delights: “The greeting card industry is blessed with so many talented publishers that it’s very difficult to say who stood out from this event, but among the publisher highlights from the Dragons event and me were Cheeky Legends by Arrthi, which got the ‘bottoms up’ from me!; KDee Designs for its beautiful wooden icons; Ink & Ivy’s Wallypops pop-up animal stickable, frameable cards; Quirk’s Treating Cards with sweet treats; Paper Mirchi’s fabulous cotton paper luxury cards and Top: Andrea Pinder (left) with Ink & Ivy’s tree-free gift packaging, Mike Read and Kate Lawley. and this is just a smidgen of Above: A KDee Designs card with a wooden element. delights I saw on the day and were in my goody bag. I have already made contact with some of the aforementioned and will certainly be placing orders.”
PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 25