National Stationery Show Pre-Show Report
The full spectrum of the social stationery industry will convene at the 64th annual National Stationery Show® (NSS), taking place May 16-19, 2010, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Hundreds of new products timed specifically to launch at the NSS, aisles of brand new, trend-setting companies, content-rich education, a national stamp dedication featuring the U.S. Postmaster General, and a host of parties and events will highlight this international marketplace. The NSS will present nearly 900 exhibitors and attract some 12,000 industry professionals throughout the 3 ½ days of the Show, including retailers, distributors, importers/exporters, manufacturer’s representatives, designers, suppliers and press.
A marketplace unlike any other across the globe, the NSS returns in 2010 with a diverse slate of exhibitors, from industry leaders to fresh young talent staging their debut. The NSS welcomes back such notable companies as The Giftwrap Company, Caspari, William Arthur, Up With Paper, Anna Griffin, MOMA, Crane & Company, Nashville Wraps and hundreds more, and is proud to serve as the launching pad for design-driven newcomers like Bold Face Type, Any Random Jane, Gwyneth Paige Couture Letterpress, Poppies for Grace, Aaron Potts NYC, Bumble Bee Greeting and more.
Off the Show floor, the market will offer trend-driven and business building seminars featuring such notable speakers as Gifts & Decorative Accessories Editor Caroline Kennedy, Gift Shop Publisher Patricia Norins, GetMarried Founder & CEO Stacie Francombe, Martha Stewart Weddings Editorial Director Darcy Miller, The Emily Post Institute Director Peggy Post, and award-winning author Carolyn Howard-Johnson. Combined with industry networking events such as the Opening Night Party and LOUIE Awards, the NSS serves as the worldwide marketplace featuring both education and networking opportunities.
“The 2010 National Stationery Show will deliver a distinctive experience for buyers, in particular, unlike other markets they may have visited in the past couple of years. On and off the exhibit floor, the creativity and innovation will spur abundant new business opportunities that come from a show where all sides of the business come together just once a year. I expect new energy and optimism due to both the uptick in the economy and the collective determination to keep social stationery growing and thriving.” – Patti Stracher, Show Manager
MARKET HIGHLIGHTS
The Supply Side Integration
For the first time, NSS exhibitors and attendees will find The Supply Side integrated into the main Show floor as a division. The Supply Side has co-located with the NSS for the past nine years but maintained a separate, distinctive identity and show hours. Exhibitors within The Supply Side – finishing specialists, including die-cutting, die-making, foil/hot stamping, embossing, holography, lamination, packaging/box specialists, converters, paper manufacturers, specialty printing/thermography, production machinery, envelope manufacturers, custom displays/fixturing systems and other suppliers – will benefit from increased contact with NSS exhibitors and attendees, additional hours, and a more prominent position within the marketplace. The division will continue to be located in 3E Hall.
Trend Walkway
Positioned on both sides of the Crystal Palace, the Trend Walkway is a special focus area revealing the latest industry trends as seen through the eyes of editors of the leading trade publications, including Stationery Trends, GREETINGS etc., Gift Shop, Gifts & Decorative Accessories, and others.
International Resources
In addition to serving as North America’s leading marketplace for the social stationery industry, the NSS offers a strong international flavor. Companies from such countries as Australia, Canada, China, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Korea, India, Italy, Japan, Nepal, Peru, Taiwan and Thailand will exhibit directly, and others will have products represented through their distributor partners who exhibit in the NSS.
New Product Display and Best New Product Awards
The latest product launches – most of which will be making their debut at the 2010 National Stationery Show – will be featured within the New Product Display. Prominently positioned in the Crystal Palace Lobby, the display offers a comprehensive look at new products within the categories of desk accessories, lifestyle/specialty gift, luxury, paper craft/scrapbooking, party and social stationery. In addition, eco-friendly products within each of these categories will be featured. The New Product Display also serves as the judging arena for the coveted Best New Product Awards, which will be determined by an esteemed group of editors from the leading trade and consumer magazines. Winners will be announced on Sunday, May 16.
Operation Caring Connection
Now in its fourth year, “Operation Caring Connection” will return to the National Stationery Show in support of United States soldiers and the United Service Organizations (USO). A program that helps facilitate handwritten communication between troops and their loved ones back home, “Operation Caring Connection” encourages exhibitors to donate greeting cards, stationery, note cards, journals, writing instruments and other stationery products at the close of the Show. Donated product is shipped to the USO, which then distributes the items through its Care Package Program to troops in Afghanistan, Iraq and other overseas locations. More than seven tons of product has been donated since the program’s inception in 2007. To participate, contact Stephanie Leon-Santiago at ssantiago@glmshows.com.
PROGRAMS
From “Trend Watch 2010” to “Wedding Invitation Social Etiquette Rules”, the 2010 NSS program lineup will deliver a comprehensive platform of topics that will provide participants with a well-rounded educational experience. Notable industry experts will share their insight, including Gifts & Decorative Accessories Editor Caroline Kennedy, Gift Shop Publisher Patricia Norins, GetMarried Founder & CEO Stacie Francombe, Martha Stewart Weddings Editorial Director Darcy Miller, The Emily Post Institute Director Peggy Post, award-winning author Carolyn Howard-Johnson, and others. Daily Demos – presented by the NSS and GREETINGS, etc. magazine – will return four times daily from Sunday, May 16, through Tuesday, May 18. For additional details or to register for specific programs, visit www.nationalstationeryshow.com.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Opening Night Party – “Party on the Battery”
Sunday, May 16, 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Battery Gardens
A new venue for the annual NSS Opening Night Party – Battery Gardens – will kick off the 64thannual National Stationery Show in style. A Manhattan oasis positioned along the water’s edge with panoramic views of New York Harbor, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, “Party on the Battery” promises to be a true New York City experience. Tickets are $65 per person, or $800 for a table of 10. Early ticket purchase is recommended, as this event sells out each year. Visitwww.nationalstationeryshow.com to register.
USPS Butterfly Stamp Release Ceremony
Monday, May 17, 9:30am
South Concourse, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
The NSS will host the official announcement and unveiling of the U.S. Postal Service® Butterflystamp, a 64-cent, 1-ounce postage stamp developed in close collaboration with the Greeting Card Association (GCA) to serve the needs of greeting card and other social stationery manufacturers and their customers utilizing square or irregular shaped envelopes. The new Butterfly stamp will serve as a universal symbol for greeting cards requiring additional postage due to being square or irregular in size. Join us for the unveiling with such dignitaries as USPS Postmaster General & CEO John E. Potter, local and state politicians, and new GCA Executive Director Jack Withiam.
22nd annual International Greeting Card Awards – “LOUIE Awards”
Monday, May 17, 7:00 – 10:00 pm
The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers
Presented by the Greeting Card Association (GCA), the LOUIE Awards celebrate the year’s most original and ingenious greeting cards in a variety of categories, including the Grand Prize “Card of the Year”. This year’s theme – Go for the Gold – recognizes the gold medal caliber of the greeting cards, imprintables, and invitations considered for this year’s competition. Sponsorship and ticket information is available by calling the GCA at 202-393-1778 or visiting www.greetingcard.org.
The Supply Side Networking Reception
Tuesday, May 18, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Level 3, Hall E
Suppliers to the social stationery industry exhibiting within The Supply Side division will have dedicated time to connect with NSS exhibitors during The Supply Side Networking Reception, where a casual atmosphere and complimentary refreshments will foster networking among colleagues. Advance registration is not required.
STAY CONNECTED
Show Daily
Now in its third year, Stationery Today will serve as the official daily publication of the National Stationery Show. Published by Great American Publishing – publishers of Stationery Trends, Party & Paper Retailer and Museums & More – the Show Daily will feature breaking exhibitor news, the latest product launches, trend insight, Show news and more. Pick up a copy on your way into the Show each day for can’t-miss Show highlights. To advertise, contact Brian Virgona 570-223-9190 or email sales@stationerytrendsmag.com.
Online Catalog Gallery
A feature of the new NSS website, the Online Catalog Gallery enables retailers to efficiently browse the catalogs of exhibitors before, during and after the National Stationery Show. The page-by-page look at the complete product offerings of exhibitors allows retailers a sneak peek at what will be seen on the Show floor. For participating exhibitors, the key benefit of the Online Catalog Gallery is the lead-generating capability, which extends the life of the Show from four days to a full year. To participate, email Stephanie Leon-Santiago at ssantiago@glmshows.com
Social Media
The National Stationery Show has taken to social media as another way to communicate year-round with industry professionals. Become a Facebook fan atwww.facebook.com/NationalStationeryShow or follow us on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/stationeryshow.
National Stationery Show Blog
National Stationery Show attendees and exhibitors, as well as the hundreds of NSS blog followers out there can stay in touch with show management’s point of view on a myriad of subjects through the NSS blog. Contributing staff writers represent senior Show management, sales, marketing, and operations, assuring readers insight from every perspective. Visitwww.nationalstationeryshow.blogspot.com.
Paperclips
The official enewsletter of the National Stationery Show, Paperclips provides its more than 35,000 subscribers with unique perspectives on industry, business and consumer insights as well as up to the minute show information and highlights and more. To subscribe, or access the archive of past issues, visit www.nationalstationeryshow.com.
STATUS® – Official National Stationery Show Directory
Available both online in advance of the Show, and in print onsite, the official directory of exhibitors allows attendees to plan their visit to the Show in advance, and navigate the Show floor more efficiently. In addition, the online directory offers year-round visibility of exhibitors to a captive audience of stationery retailers, while the print edition provides impact advertising to some 12,000 attendees. Visit www.nationalstationeryshow.com to access the online directory, or for more information regarding STATUS print advertising.
CROSS MARKET OPPORTUNITIES
Additional benefit to NSS attendees will be offered through collocations with SURTEX®, North America’s premier international trade show for selling and licensing original art and design; and the International Contemporary Furniture Fair® (ICFF®), North America’s singular showcase for contemporary design. A NSS badge will provide access to all three markets, which combined will attract 42,000 buyers and 2,800 exhibitors, manufacturers and distributors. Additional information for these collocated markets is available online, at www.surtex.com and www.icff.com.
PRODUCTS REPRESENTED
The products showcased at the National Stationery Show includes greeting cards, invitations, imprintables, giftwrap/ribbons, social stationery, specialty party supplies and paper tableware, bridal accessories, customized/personalized products, in-store printing equipment, decorative home office products, luxury leather goods, writing instruments, papercrafting supplies, frames, journals, calendars, lifestyle giftware, scrapbooking and back-to-school.
And, in The Supply Side division, finishing specialists, including die-cutting, die-making, foil/hot stamping, embossing, holography, lamination, packaging/box specialists, converters, paper manufacturers, specialty printing/thermography, production machinery, envelope manufacturers and custom displays/fixturing systems will exhibit.
PROFILE OF ATTENDEES
Retail
The NSS attracts a diverse global attendance of 12,000 buyers from stationery, card, gift and lifestyle stores; bookstores; fashion boutiques; bridal shops; hospital gift shops; party stores; department, chain and specialty stores; museum and gallery shops, large chains and “big box” mass retailers; online retailers and mail order catalogs; as well as importers and distributors.
Non-Retail
Manufacturers, Distributors, Suppliers, Manufacturers’ representatives, Licensing agents, Artists, Designers, Consumer and Trade Press
WEBSITE
www.nationalstationeryshow.com
EXHIBITOR INFORMATION
Kelly P. Bristol, sales manager, GLM®, LLC
Telephone: (914) 421-3228
E-mail: kbristol@glmshows.com
ATTENDEE INFORMATION
GLM Customer Relations
(800) 272-SHOW (7469) or (603) 665-7524
SHOW DATES AND HOURS:
Sunday, May 16: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Monday, May 17: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Tuesday, May 18: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Wednesday, May 19: 9:00am – Noon
