29-31_33-35_Viewpoints.qxp_Grid 03/07/2024 17:24 Page 29
VIEWPOINTS
Sharing the love
It was buzzy, upbeat, crammed full of marvellous new designs, talented publishers, fabulous retailers and overseas distributors from all over the world – and the joy of PG Live 2024 lives on as orders placed at the show are now out on cardies’ shelves. PG caught up with a selection of retailers who were only too happy to share some of their top picks from the show. Above: PG Live is where business meets pleasure! The Art File’s Ged (left) and James Mace with House of Cards’ Miles Robinson.
Pete Whiteman, Mark JansonSmith, managing director of Postmark Show Business: “What wasn't there to like! This was one of the best PG Lives yet, such a great show, full of such wonderful products and not just from the established publishers. So great to see so many 'newer' publishers continuing to flourish.” Top Picks: “Too many to mention them all, but we really liked the new die-cut range from Mifkins, the new Mini Neons from Earlybird and KDee Designs’ new collection. We spent our Golden and Sunshine tickets with Grace Jackson, Heyyy Cards and Brilliantly Brave.” Above: The Mini Neons from Earlybird were a top pick for many retailers. Right: Postmark’s Mark Janson-Smith (right) with Dan Clarkson, coowner of Heyyy Cards.
co-owner of Dzo Dzo, Woodbridge Show Business: “PG Live 2024 was as great as usual. Not just for seeing all the new and old suppliers, but for seeing old friends and fellow retailers and catching up on news and gossip. The show always brings together a vast wealth of talent within the industry, all under one roof where you can just focus on greeting cards. The free lunch and drinks always go down well, so many thanks to the organisers and sponsors. In the words of Arnie...We’ll be back next year.” Top Picks: “We placed around 14 orders at the show, a near record for us, with several new companies. These included Paper Bird, with its different blank card designs to a real newbie David Mould of Ecosse Encaustics (at his first show), which were brilliant atmospheric images from Scotland. Humour was high on the agenda and Ohh Deer fitted the bill wonderfully for a gap that we had in that genre.” Above: Dzo Dzo’s Pete and (right) Jelena Whitehead with Rosie Made a Thing’s Rosie Harrison spending the first Sunshine Ticket of the show, just minutes after it opened. Left: Newbie Ecosse Encaustics’ designs caught Pete’s eye.
PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 29