Apr 24, 2015

National Stationery Show features mix of new and returning exhibitors

A roster of new, returning and expanding exhibitors — from the United States and around the world — will deliver an outstanding market experience at the National Stationery Show, May 17-20, 2015, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

“The National Stationery Show is poised to present a dynamic shopping and sourcing experience to buyers this year,” said Patti Stracher, vice president and director of the National Stationery Show. “Paper is more popular than ever today and attendees can expect to find the best in greeting cards, stationery, invitations and more, both from industry-leading suppliers and innovative newcomers.”

Notable among NSS first-time exhibitors are well-known companies, including: Avery Products Corporation (office products, social stationery, Glendale, California); Bo Bunny (craft papers and products, Layton, Utah); Boston Warehouse (candles, gifts, Norwood, Massachusetts); Copic Marker / Imagination International, Inc. (art supplies, social stationery, Springfield, Oregon); HK Holbein Artist Materials (art supplies, Williston, Vermont); Royal Posthumus (craft supplies, Belgium); Privee AG Corp. (art supplies, Japan); and SLS Arts (art supplies, New Orleans).

In addition to these suppliers, a number of emerging designer-maker brands new to the NSS this year will be showcased within #fresh, a juried collection of new and innovative suppliers. In addition to some 30 Etsy Wholesale designers announced earlier this month, the section also will spotlight new exhibitors such as Bling Sting (bling pepper spray, Dallas, Texas); Chase and Wonder (social stationery, United Kingdom); Hartford Prints (letterpress, Hartford, Connecticut); LovePop (pop-up cards, Cambridge, Massachusetts) and MakersKit (DIY kits, Los Angeles).

As an extension of the show’s social media strategies, a new PicsFly “Instant Social” Lounge will debut this May on the exhibit floor (in the 2700-2800 aisles). For the first time, attendees who use the #NSS2015 hashtag on Instagram or Twitter can receive a print souvenir of their photos from the show. This pioneer program, which is sponsored by Paper Pop Cards, features the PicsFly InstaPrint software that instantly prints photos taken with a smart phone.

A first-time partnership with the Greeting Card Association (GCA) will extend exhibit floor offerings through a small “GCA pavilion” showcasing a curated selection of greeting cards from six member companies. Participants in this unique branding and platform are: B*Hands Cards (Torrance, California), Figments Studio (Issaquah, Washington), Kathleen Barrett Studios (State College, Pennsylvania), Maginating (Crestwood, Missouri), Proudly Yours (Boulder, Colorado) and NobleWorks, Inc. (Union City, New Jersey).

The show’s Supply Side section, which features finishing specialists, embossing, envelope manufacturers and the like, also welcomes a number of newcomers this May. These supplier-focused resources include Impress Systems (digital foil printing, Chelmsford, Massachusetts); Limited Paper (papers, Brooklyn, New York) and USA Perfect Gift Inc. (printing solutions, Beijing).

Beyond notable first-time participants, the show also will welcome back a number of industry leading suppliers, following an absence from the New York Market. Returning exhibitors include: Arzberger Stationers (corporate and social stationery, Charlotte, North Carolina); Bell’Invito Couture Stationery (engraved and letterpress luxury stationery, Dallas); Curly Girl Design (whimsical stationery and gifts, Newton, Massachusetts); Inscribe (in-store, all-occasion personalization equipment, Woburn, Massachusetts); Mark Richards Enterprise (temporary tattoos, craft supplies, New York); Masha D’Yans (watercolor cards and social stationery, Los Angeles); Me & My Big Ideas (planners, social stationery, Lake Forest, California); Millennium Marking Company (inks and office supplies, Elk Grove Village, Illinois); Notes & Queries (green stationery supplies, Baltimore); Rossi 1931 SRL (writing and engraving papers, Italy); Rubinato (writing instruments, Italy) and Workman Publishing (books, calendars, New York).

Finally, a number of veteran NSS exhibitors are expanding their presence at the show this year, with larger booths and additional product offerings. Companies increasing their visibility include: 1canoe2 (letterpress, Columbia, Missouri), Easy, Tiger (greeting cards in vending machines, Kansas City, Missouri); Egg Press (letterpress, Portland, Oregon); Smock (letterpress, Syracuse, New York); Studio Oh! (social stationery, Irvine, California); and Teresa Collins Designs (social stationery, Draper, Utah).

Beyond the NSS exhibit floor, the show’s popular New Product Display will highlight hundreds of product launches from the Show’s nearly 800 exhibitors. In addition to seven returning categories: All Things Wedding, Celebrations, Eco-Chic, Lifestyle, Paper Love, The Desktop and Do-It-Yourself, the show has added a new, Seasonal Greats category. Entrants also will compete for an overall “Best of Show” Award.

Two additional Emerald Expositions-owned design events — SURTEX, North America’s premier exposition and conference for the selling and licensing of original art and design, and the ICFF — will run concurrently with the National Stationery Show at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and will generate cross-market innovation and inspiration. One badge will afford attendees and exhibitors access to all three design-centric shows.

For more information, visit Emerald Expositions’ website.