Mar 27, 2014

signature mix marketplace to Feature Vast Wedding and Custom Invitation Resources

This Spring will welcome the debut of signature mix™ marketplace, comprised of the National Stationery Show® (NSS), Creative & Lifestyle Arts® (C&LA) and Gift>it. distinctive gifts. fabulous finds.™, to take place May 18-21 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. Central to the product offerings at the marketplace is an extensive selection of custom wedding invitations showcased in the NSS.

“The National Stationery Show presents an extensive selection of custom and wedding invitations and accessories—virtually a one-stop-shop for the deepest range of styles, workmanship and price point to appeal to brides of all ages, lifestyles and attitudes,” says Patti Stracher, signature mix show director.

Exhibitors are looking forward to unveiling what’s new during the market. Paul Wainman, president of Kleinfeld Paper states, “We’re excited to demonstrate the breadth of our design collection, the flexibility of our custom capabilities, and the variety of print techniques that create endless possibilities for bridal consumers.” Kleinfeld is also confident in providing satisfaction to signature mix attendees. “Because of our dedication to professional customer service, quality of product and desire to exceed expectations, we believe retailers will delight in the opportunity to bring the Kleinfeld name directly to their wedding stationery customers,” Wainman adds.

So often invitation designs include embellishments found in the crafting space. Erin Miller, co-owner of Haute Papier, explains, “Haute Papier will delight store owners by blending our classic contemporary look with a little bit of edge. We’re swooning over feathers and arrows and love them paired with subtle foils on natural kraft papers,” says Miller. Co-owner Sarah Meyer Walsh’s favorite new product this year comes from the “launching in May” Personalized Bookplate display, while Erin loves the timeless feel, both in design and gift-giving potential, of the new Milestone Certificates.

Innovation is expected at the National Stationery Show. Suzie McKig, president of Twig & Fig, Inc. says, “We’ve been hard at work creating even more innovative design suites than ever before, to premiere exclusively at NSS. Our collection #14, will comprise of 10 design folios, each of which will contain 2 to 3 invitation designs swirling around a visual story.” Twig & Fig’s collections are designed to surpass the original paper invitation as well, offering something for all types of brides. McKig explains, “The complete set will be housed in a wood + fabric trunk divided into two compartments: one large one for the design folios and a smaller one to hold 3D accessories like custom boxes, glass snow globe invites and other fabulous accoutrements to tantalize those special invitation clients we meet at signature mix.”

Another invitation exhibitor, Checkerboard, has merged award winning design with service enhancements that lead to a turn-key experience. President, Micah Chase says, “This year is all about the three C’s: Customization, Convenience and Communication.” Checkerboard uses samples as a sales tool to help the customer “hone into their style and act as a jumping off point for further modification.” For convenience, once a unique design is created, customers can “extend those design elements to the rest of the event with customizable event décor and gifts, including guest books, napkin rings, bride and groom ceramic keepsake plates, wall décor, pillows, and floor decals.” And to help the modern brides even further—especially “young hostesses who have never mailed a letter in their lives”—Checkerboard offers the option of sending out their invitations. Brides can simply provide a mixed list of email, Facebook and physical addresses. Chase explains, “these tools save your customer time too, by allowing them to seamlessly hand over to the venue their guest list, give the caterer meal choices by person and so on.”

“This is what makes signature mix so exciting—it’s multifaceted and a trend leader, so as a platform for custom invitation exhibitors to roll out their latest creations, there’s no more dynamic an atmosphere to do so. This is particularly true in the wedding space,” explains Stracher.

For further questions on mentioned exhibitors or any others exhibiting at this year’ssignature mix, please contact Michelle Daniels at mdaniels@glmmarkets.com or at 914-421-3216.

The signature mix marketplace will attract a combined, qualified audience of 12,000 senior executives and category buyers from retail giants and specialty chains worldwide, international distributors and owners of independent retail shops. These buyers, along with industry professionals, major media and manufacturer’s reps, will experience a show floor that is dynamic and highly creative. The marketplace will run Sunday, May 18, through Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and will feature some 900 exhibiting companies and more than 10,000 product lines. New show hours are Sunday – Tuesday 10 AM – 6PM; Wednesday 10 AM – 1 PM.

For exhibitor information, contact Kelly P. Bristol, sales director, at (914) 421-3250. Fax (914) 948-6917. Email exhibitor@signaturemixny.com. Attendee information is available by contacting GLM’s Customer Relations Department, at (800) 272-SHOW or (212) 204-1060, or by email, at customer_relations@glmmarkets.com. Additional information is available online, at www.signaturemixNY.com.