National Stationery Show has something for everyone By Julie McCallum

With a stellar lineup of new and returning exhibitors, comprehensive educational seminars, networking events and unparalleled cross-marketing opportunities, the 2015 edition of the National Stationery Show will showcase leading brands and emerging innovators in the stationery sector, specialty gifts and DIY/papercrafting. The show is slated to run May 17-20, 2015, at the Javits Center in New York City.

A host of manufacturing resources for social stationery and giftware companies can be found in The Supply Side, a B2B section of the Show. For the second time, NSS also will present #fresh, a juried section featuring a community of emerging designers in businesses less than five years.

For the first time in 2015, the “NSS PLANNER,” a dynamic new digital tool, will allow attendees to preview exhibitor product images, videos, press releases, show specials and more. The Planner also will enable registered buyers to communicate with exhibitors, via private messaging and appointment scheduling capabilities to facilitate preparation for their visit to the show.

Among highlights of the 2015 exhibit floor will be a new Greeting Card Association, GCA, pavilion showcasing a collection of 30 to 40 member companies in 2,500 net square feet of exhibit space. Additionally, NSS will feature a concentration of Etsy Wholesale sellers within special aisles of the #fresh section of the Show.

After hours, special social events offer excellent networking opportunities. The 27th anniversary LOUIE Awards gala will take place on Sunday, May 17, and an onsite networking cocktail reception will debut at the 2015 edition, on Monday, May 18, at the Javits Center.

Education

A three-day series of educational seminars presented by industry professionals will address design trends, marketing and social media strategies and many more topics of interest to attendees. The seminars cost $20 each in advance and $30 onsite, with details and registration available online at www.nationalstationeryshow.com.

“National Stationery Show seminars address current issues and are designed to provide savvy business strategies for both the novice and veteran retailer,” said Patti Stracher, vice president and director of the National Stationery Show. “Our faculty of industry experts is carefully selected to deliver a compelling and comprehensive continuing education experience to attendees and exhibitors alike.”

Highlighting the educational offerings is a panel discussion moderated by Sarah Schwartz, editor of Stationery Trends and senior trends editor of Gift Shop magazine, titled “The Stationery View,” from 2 to 3 p.m. Monday, May 18. Panelists discussing trends influencing the stationery marketplace are Dan Collier, principal of Daniel•Richards; Anna Griffin, owner of Anna Griffin, Inc.; Emily McDowell, CEO and creative director of Emily McDowell Studio; and Lisa Mattison Roberts, owner of Rock Paper Scissors and Bed & Butter.

Consumer psychology expert Liene Stevens will dissect the millennials demographic in “Selling to Millennial Brides and Grooms” from 11 a.m. to noon Sunday, May 17. Also on May 17, “Marketing on a Budget,” from 2 to 3 p.m., Lindsay Anvik, CEO of See Endless Inc., will explain how to market a store and promote e-commerce for just $250 a month.
From 11 a.m. to noon Monday, May 18, veteran industry professional Leatrice Eiseman, director of the Eiseman Center for Color Information and Training and executive director of Pantone Color Institute, will explore how color forecasts originate and evolve in “Future Color/Design Trends: Innovation and Impact.” Strategies for online marketing success will be the focus of two seminars on Tuesday, May 19. In “Your Perfect Social Media Fit,” 11 a.m. to noon, Erin Stephan, product marketing manager at SnapRetail, will cover which social media sites work best for specific types of stores and audiences. Nole Garey, founder and editor of Oh So Beautiful Paper, will moderate “Blogging for Business,” from 2 to 3 p.m., in which a panel of bloggers will discuss ways to use blogging to build business. Panelists include Emily Blistein, owner of Clementine; Sabrina Moyle, CEO of Hello!Lucky; Audrey Woollen, owner and creative director of Urbanic Paper Boutique, and others.

Julie McCallum

Julie McCallum is publisher of Gift Shop Magazine. She is formerly the editor-in-chief of the publication, as well as editor of Museums & More, and she has more than 25 years experience in publishing.




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