With just over a fortnight to go before The Henries 2019 greeting card awards event (which takes place on Thursday 3 October at the Royal Lancaster Hotel), the plans for the industry’s ‘big night’ are shaping up to be a true marker in the sector’s history.
“This year’s Henries is a big one – as well as celebrating the incredible greeting card ranges that collectively earn the UK industry its world leading pre-eminence, we will also be celebrating the GCA’s 100th anniversary,” stated Warren Lomax, co-owner of Progressive Greetings, which owns and organises The Henries.
To add to the fun of the lavish evening event, which will be attended by around 700 publishers, retailers and trade suppliers, the tables will be festooned with props to add to the historic flavour – and attendees are being invited to select which of the last ten decades they would like as their table theme (from 1920s to the present).
As part of its continued support for The Henries, Home Counties small multiple, House of Cards is sponsoring the historical table props among other elements that will add to the event.
“While The Henries is not fancy dress, we have heard how some tables are really going for it, with guests all adopting the racy 20s while others are glamming up 80s style. It will be fun!” adds Warren.
The Loxleys team had no hesitation in plumping for the 70s so expect some flared action from the Sheffield-based greeting card printing team and their guests.
As Tony Lorriman, Loxleys’ managing director confessed to PG Buzz: “It just had to be the 70s that we picked – because of the disco-related music, dance and culture – What a great way to dress up, party and have fun!”
When pressed on what he feels were the best things about the 70s, Tony added: “Well, I was born then, Leeds United was by far the best domestic football team around, there was disco, Grease, Saturday Night Fever, Atari and the Raleigh Chopper!”.
Top comedian, Tom Allen has been clinched as host of The Henries this year. Tom’s unique style of sharp, acerbic wit and camp, comedic storytelling has seen him become a household name in the UK – with his profile and popularity soaring as a result of him co-hosting Bake Off The Professionals, appearing regularly on Bake Off: An Extra Slice as well as his appearances on Mock The Week, Live At The Apollo, The Apprentice You’re Fired, Hypothetical, Insert Name Here, The Royal Variety Performance, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Cats Does Countdown, Would I Lie to You and Roast Battle. He has also demonstrated his sharp comedic on BBC Radio 4’s Just a Minute and is a regular co-host on Loose Ends. Last year his sell-out tour was extended multiple times, and there has been no let up this year which has seen him return as co-host of Bake Off: The Professionals, starring in the new Comedy Central series The Comedy Bus as well just returning from a sell-out run in Sydney and Melbourne which saw him nominated for most outstanding show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Awards.
If you have not booked your tickets for the ‘industry’s big night’ you can do so online via www.max-tickets.net or contact Clare Hollick, our awards manager on T: 01733 294524 M: 07769 905959 or via email: clare@createvents.co.uk
If you have booked a table already, Clare will be contacting you to ask if you have any era preference for your table props. If not, or if you are on a mixed table then never fear, you will be allocated a decade.
Top: The Henries 2019 tickets have been superbly designed by The Art File and produced by Windles.
