Aug 9, 2021
Gift + Stationery Week kicks off with 40 Under 40 celebration

An exciting week of free programming is on tap during the first annual Gift + Stationery Week, Aug. 16-19. Through this event, Gift Shop® Plus and Stationery Trends will provide retail professionals the opportunity to learn more about trend forecasts, cause marketing and issues facing retailers. The daily webcasts will include roundtable discussions, which will feature Gift + Stationery 40 Under 40 honorees, editors Sarah Schwartz and Julie McCallum and special guests. Additionally, Gift + Stationery Week will honor the 40 outstanding individuals of 2021 making their mark on the industry during a special virtual ceremony. This free virtual event is sponsored by Las Vegas Market and Mud Pie.

Daily Webinars

Monday, August 16 — Meet, Greet & Celebrate with the 40 Under 40 Class of 2021

The week will kick off with a Meet and Greet with the 40 Under 40 Class of 2021. This live session will be a great way to meet and celebrate this years class of honorees. Host Julie McCallum will be joined by guest speaker, Class of 2019 alumni, Maghon Taylor of All She Wrote Notes. Register here.

Tuesday, Aug. 17 — Trend Forecasting

Sarah Schwartz has assembled a panel of top influencers in the gift and stationery field. On Tuesday, Aug. 17, at 2 p.m. EDT, she will be sitting down — virtually — with some of the top makers, retailers and product developers to talk about industry and consumer trends. This group will include Catherine Hildner, Kitty Meow Boutique; Janie Velencia, The Card Bureau; Alyssa Reiman, product development manager for Totalee Gift; Stephanie Clarke, Dahlia Press; Alex Gagné, Chez Gagne; Pei Sim, Paper + Craft Pantry and Chandra Greer, Greer Chicago. Register here.

Wednesday, Aug. 18 — Cause Marketing

This session will focus on the impact and importance of cause marketing, as well as how the gift and stationery industry can come together to support causes like Gift for Life, the gift and home industry’s sole charitable organization, as well as helping to meet local and world needs.

Host Julie McCallum will be joined by Cole Daugherty, president of the board for Gift for Life, and Patti Carpenter, global trend ambassador and recipient of Gift for Life’s Industry Achievement Award. They will be accompanied by retailers and makers from this year’s class of 40 Under 40 who are actively involved in charitable causes and social responsibility. Register here.

Thursday, Aug. 19 — Makers + Main Street Retail

How can makers connect with retailers to be more successful? In this lively panel discussion, Editor Julie McCallum will sit down with 6-7 panelists, including sales reps, retailers, marketing managers and makers to talk about connecting with customers, social media, challenges in retail and most importantly, finding solutions. A few of the panelists joining in: Ashley Carey of Mud Pie; Ashley Miller of Gib Carson; Chelsea Peabody Bohannon from IMC; Andrea Padilla of Transpac; Emily Teters, store manager for Dayton History Museum; and Jean Cate, owner of Martha Mae: Art Supplies and Beautiful Things. Register here.