Feb 24, 2020

GCA collaborates with Book Expo for the second year

In a move to further expand opportunities for creative “makers” at smaller and emerging greeting card and stationery companies, the Greeting Card Association (GCA) has announced plans to collaborate for the second year with Reed Exhibitions, producer of Book Expo, the most important business event for the book publishing industry. Reed will offer the popular “GCA Village” all-in exhibit option to GCA publisher members at UnBound at Book Expo and BookCon, the consumer-facing portion of the event. UnBound is a show within a show, which features a curated mix of lifestyle “bookish” merchandise. GCA members also have the option to exhibit independently in their own booth space in UnBound at preferred rates for GCA members. 

The GCA’s integration of new trade show exhibition opportunities into the association’s membership offerings is an ongoing initiative, which also includes Noted: The Greeting Card Expo (returning for its second year in San Francisco, California May 1-3, 2020) and partnerships with the Dallas Market Center and NY NOW/National Stationery Show. 

“The GCA’s growing membership continues to design products that appeal to today’s engaged shoppers. And of course, the availability of new and diverse product in stores will benefit consumers and our retail partners,” said Peter Doherty, executive director for GCA. 

“The recent growth in greeting card sales has mirrored growth in the bookstore industry,” said George White, president of GCA. “As Millennials’ preference for paper cards and paper books continues to be expressed in the market, our industries are ideal partners. The UnBound show at Book Expo thus provides an excellent opportunity for our members to showcase their cards to an ideal retailer base.” 

“There is a natural synergy between books and greeting cards, and we are thrilled to collaborate with GCA to bring the GCA Village to UnBound. UnBound will provide booksellers, greeting card publishers and smaller makers the chance to launch new relationships, given the unique opportunity BookExpo provides to bring these two communities together,” said Patti Stracher- Lee, event director for UnBound. “I have no doubt that this will be a win-win and we are excited to have this happen at our show!” 

Reed launched UnBound at Book Expo last year, as a curated space with an assortment of diverse non-book and lifestyle suppliers and service providers. Products include journals, greeting cards, games and specialty toys, puzzles, writing instruments, calendars, candles, and much more.

UnBound will be home to the GCA Village, and access to UnBound is included with every Book Expo registration. UnBound at BookExpo takes place May 28-29. UnBound at BookCon takes place immediately following, May 30-31 at the Jacob Javits Center in downtown New York, NY. For more information on UnBound, please contact Patti Stracher-Lee at palee@reedexpo.com.