Spreading Love: at the Shows & at Home

As many of you are aware the National Stationery Show is produced by GLM, the same company that produces the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF). So since we’re a fairly small company, we all help each other out in many ways throughout the year, particularly when the Show is soon to be up and running. That being said, I’m working in the Show Office at the Metropolitan Pavilion in NYC doing what I do best - helping brand new exhibitors figure out what to do, how to do it and where to go! This gorgeous building has 3 floors of the newest additions to the NYIGF.

It’s been a great experience because many of our exhibitors just got into this Show. I got to chat with Cat Fish Greetings,

try out a brand new pen by Yoropen (2007 Best New Product winner who exhibits in our Pen Pavilion)


hang out with the great guys behind Fusion Designs


discuss booth display ideas with Marsupial


and meet the artist/designer of one of our newest companies in Stationery, Jordy Blueprints


Now back to the world of stationery, I just realized that Valentines Day is only 7 days away! If you’re like me, you have not done anything to plan for it yet. But the February 2006 US Census Press Release brings me comfort in knowing that I’m not alone. It reports that nearly 50% of Valentines Day Cards are bought within 6 days of February 14th! See what else it says:

Top Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day (based on U.S. household participation)
Greeting Cards 65%
Date Night 44%
Candy 38%
Flowers 32%
Gift Cards 29%
Plush 21%
Other Gifts 17%
Perfume/Cologne 12%
Jewelry 11%
Sources: Hallmark/Retail Industry Leaders Association/NRF

Clearly greeting cards have the most impressive showing here, and it’s no surprise to me because cards can either stand alone or accompany a gift. But you don’t often receive a gift without a card (unless you’re receiving a gift from my brother – but that’s another story!)

According to the Greeting Card Association, 190 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion. This total excludes packaged kids valentines for classroom exchanges.
I think all of us should take ½ hour today or tomorrow (ok, by Monday!) and shop for the perfect Valentine for the all of the loved ones in our lives.

Wishing you a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Jess