Tomorrow (Tuesday 5 June) the doors will open on Progressive Greetings Live 2018, the international dedicated greeting card trade exhibition at London’s Business Design Centre.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the popular two day show, which will bring together the greatest collection of greeting cards in the world.
PG Live’s marketing manager, Jacqui Parr shares five good reasons why, if you are a retailer or overseas distributor, you really must hot-foot it to the show.
It Is Publisher Heaven
From leading established players to brand new start-ups, the PG Live 2018 exhibitor line-up is a wonderful celebration of the huge diversity of this talented sector.
“From the titchies to the biggies, we have over 260+ exhibitors, each with something special to offer,” says Jacqui. “We have some leading names, such as Roger la Borde, Santoro and Flame Tree Publishing, who are joining the fray this year, while over 120 brand new and emerging companies will be adding their own spice in the Springboard section.”
Masses Of Newness
New designs are the lifeblood of the greeting card industry and there will be thousands and thousands of brand new spanking card designs making their debut at PG Live.
“PG Live has become firmly established in the ‘greeting card calendar’ as a great time to launch new ranges – providing retailers with loads of fresh new products to pep up their summer displays,” says Jacqui.
Promotions Galore
“If the fabulous products alone are not incentive enough to order, then there are lots of great promotions, competitions, discounts and special offers to tempt you,” promises Jacqui.
Adding to the fun, there is bound to be a lot of excitement as retailers produce their shiny Golden Tickets (worth £150), Silver Tickets (worth £75) and Sunshine Tickets (worth £75) for being winners and finalists in The Retas awards.
There will also be lots of great Greats Vouchers (worth £50 against an order placed) and Cardgains vouchers that members can spend with Cardgains suppliers at the show.
Cherries On Top
“Yes, the exhibitor line-up is fab, the product array will be amazing, but it is the added extras that will make PG Live 2018 extra special,” believes Jacqui.
From the meeters and greeters attired in dresses made from exhibitors’ cards and wrappings to the keepsake bag (sponsored by Hallmark this year); the ever-popular tea trollies and coffee hot spots serving free cuppas in ‘proper cups’ (sponsored Fedrigoni); The Henry Cole Lounge (with free WiFi, kindly sponsored by Skylight Media) and a delicious complementary lunch (sponsored by Scribbler). PG Live 2018 will serve up a smorgasbord of extra treats!
Power Of The People
“The key is in the name of the show, PG Live really is where the greeting card industry comes alive,” says Jacqui. “The buzz of banter is incredible,” she adds.
It is fitting that as greeting cards are a tangible form of social communication that those within the industry have a forum to interact – and PG Live has the right atmosphere for this to happen.
“It is great to see retailers giving feedback to publishers, agents catching up with their principals, overseas distributors investigating export opportunities and suppliers responding to a myriad of questions that come up over the two days,” adds Jacqui.
The relaxed feel of the show provides the ideal opportunity for retailers to enjoy talking to the people behind the brand, whether they are the directors of leading companies down to the myriad of plucky newbies who are debuting at the show.
PG Live At A Glance
When: Tuesday 5 June and Wednesday 6 June 2018
Opening Times: 9.30am to 6.00pm on Tues 5 June
9.30am to 4.30pm on Wed 6 June
Where: Business Design Centre, Islington, London N1 0QH
All retailers and overseas distributors are very welcome at PG Live, visit the show website: www.progressivegreetingslive.com, email: info@progressivegreetingslive.com or call: 01635 297070.
