The NSS Has a New Look!

Check out the new look of the NSS community website – www.nationalstatoneryshow.com. Chock full of new energy and great content (we think!), it features the first of three YouTube videos on the Home page, beginning with Trendspotting at the 2010 NSS. The next two videos roll out over several month leading up to May 2011, and highlight the many faces of the Show and our industry.

The site also reveals the Show’s 2011 marketing campaign “Paper Power”. Paper Power encompasses the impact of paper both as a product category and as a medium. Paper is profitable, high touch, personal, diverse, colorful, fashion-forward, on trend, a statement of personal taste and style - and is more in demand than ever by the end user! Pretty powerful indeed.

-Patti

And the Winner is…

Happy, sad, seasonal, supportive, congratulatory, condolence and the like. How to say it or convey it has become a meaningful industry. For 22 years, the Louie Awards have offered recognition to all those who put their best foot forward in the greeting card industry. Here you’ll find winners of “Handmade”, “Superbly Stated”, and “The Judges’ Choice”, just a few of the fifty-six categories.

Entries are judged by imagination, impact, artistry, harmony, send-ability and value. And can you imagine -- over 1,000 cards from over 170 international publishing companies were judged by members of the Greeting Card Association and fellow industry professionals! It’s an annual testimonial to those who help make it so much easier to express our feelings.

This year a special category was added. “The Young Entrepreneur” award found its way into the hands of ten-year-old Ian Meier, whose handmade cards are selling like hot cakes in the Philadelphia area. The young designer says that making cards “gives him a good feeling” and he was absolutely thrilled to be part of the night’s festivities. And what an event it was.







Young Ian Meier in his element gages his future industry!

The Louis Awards were held last night at The Lighthouse at the Chelsea Piers where merriment persisted and dancing topped off the evening. Cards of the nominated categories flanked the entrance. Nominees beamed, knowing how important the awards are. And like the many sentiments that are expressed in their cards, the room was filled with warmth, good wishes, and lots of happy faces. It was a fun-loving crowd emphasizing the importance of the very industry they serve.

It’s good to be acknowledged by your peers…. so make sure you swing by the Louie Awards area at the back of the 3600 aisle to see who’s won what! You might even send them a note of congratulations! Yep, there’s time. The National Stationery Show runs through Wednesday, May 19, 2010. See you there.






Lisa Manley of Butinski Design and Stacey Hagarman of S.E. Hagarman, both first-time entries, were vying for “The Rising Star Award”.







The crowd awaits the announcement of “The Card of the Year”.

Alyson

Good Eats In NYC

Wow, do I love to eat!! And one of the reasons why New York is such a great event city is because of all of its restaurants. From greasy spoon to ultra fine tablecloth, there’s a selection to be had.

One of the more interesting websites for finding good eats is www.blackboardeats.com. Register for free and every few days you’ll receive news about a good eats deal. It could be a free bottle of wine, a free cheese platter or 30% off your dining bill. Eateries of all kinds are included in this -- from very new places to very established restaurants like Aquavit or Cipriani.

You’ll receive the “deal” via email. You’ll have 24 hours to decide if you want this deal. It’s a one day only invitation but you get a pass code and thirty days to use it. These places are not sluggish little cafes that are hurting for business, so make a reservation whenever possible. It’s a great way to entice you to try many different types of restaurants in many different neighborhoods.

So when you’re in NY for the NSS, don’t just stay in midtown. Take a cab, take the train, take the bus, and try something different. Life is good. Go take a big bite out of it!

Have fun! Alyson

Lists, lists and more lists

What’s on your “To Do” list? How do you keep it? I got intrigued with the question after viewing the exhibit “Lists” at the National Portrait Gallery in DC this past February.

Check out this packing list by Adolf Konrad. I love it. Plus it looks like Adolf was a pretty dapper guy! Does anybody out there know anyone who creates a list like this?





Guess what? “ There’s an app for that!” There really is; you take pics of your clothes and create outfits with it – think InStyle pages, but with your clothes.

Speaking of InStyle , In the April 2010 issue, the feature “Life, etc.” profiled Rory Tahari, creative director of Elie Tahari. Rory has just come out with a book, "Lists For Life: The Essential Guide to Getting Organized and Tackling Tough To-Dos” I haven’t bought it yet, but I’m interested in knowing what’s inside.


By the way, I’m happy to give a shout out to InStyle, as some of its editors are registered to attend the Show again this year!

Here’s another list I thought was interesting - a list Pablo Picasso made recommending artists for the Armory Show in New York. Look at that handwriting!


So, how does the Show Manager of the NSS keep her list?


In a nice Lily Pulitzer notebook from Lifeguard Press (we must admit to a certain addiction to these). Patti makes nice neat check marks when she's gotten something "off the list."

Laura Susi works in our Operations department (she’s the one you can thank for arranging all the shuttle buses we have on-site, among other things). Here’s her method of keeping a “To Do” list – a flower-shaped sticky note!


And finally, mine. I like to use 2 pencil colors – one to make the list, and the other to check off with. I use an “X” for done, and a "/" for when something is part-way done.


How do you keep your lists? Anyone doodle? Do you use pens, pencils - is an eraser a bad thing, by the way? Meaning, who wants to erase something, when you can check it off the list and feel that sense of accomplishment? And on the topic of of erasers… we just booked Fashion Angels into the Show! Yay. Check them out for their line of cute puzzle erasers… Hi to Sarah!

That’s all for now. So much to do in the next couple of weeks before the Show. Looking forward to seeing everyone on-site at the Javits very soon!

Until next time - Kelly

Get Smart!

It seems hard for me to believe, but I’ve been developing retailer education programs for almost 20 years now. Those two decades translate into over 500 seminars, endless retail roundtables, product demonstrations, make-it-and-take-it events, and all sorts of keynote addresses. I’m still passionate about programming educational events for trade shows, because these buyer education programs make a real difference for store owners large and small, novices and veterans alike.

I was reminded of the impact of educational events while speaking one year with a wonderfully talented and successful retailer, Carolyn Howard-Johnson. Carolyn owned five retail stores in California and Las Vegas, and all of them were thriving. Every year at the California Gift Show, Carolyn always would come to a variety of seminars, demonstrations and networking events, and I was fascinated that she would take time out of her very hectic buying schedule to attend so many events. Finally, I asked Carolyn why, and she replied: “I come because I’m always open to learning how to be better at what I do. I come because if I pick up one idea, one suggestion, one tip, one skill that serves my customers, and makes money for my stores, then my time was well spent. And I come because nowhere else can I meet face-to-face with industry experts for such a small investment.”

Buyer education programs are one of many things that make the National Stationery Show such a productive expertise for our valued retailers. And what a lineup of authorities we’ve gathered together for 2010! Linda Cahan is an internationally recognized expert in visual merchandising and store design. Leading trade magazine editors Sarah Schwartz and Caroline Kennedy are trend gurus. Editorial Director of Martha Stewart Weddings, Darcy Miller, is one of the foremost authorities and sought out speakers on the bridal market. Peggy Post carries on her family’s illustrious history as an heir to the Emily Post Institute’s famous guidelines for social etiquette. Stacie Francombe is on the cutting edge of the lucrative wedding market. And Patricia Norins, publisher of Gift Shop magazine, along with Carolyn Howard-Johnson -- who has transitioned from being a top retailer to a best selling author and speaker on retailing, promotions, and the social media -- will facilitate two intensive roundtable discussions on today’s most in demand subject.

Fun and entertaining are the Daily Demos on the show floor. These spot-on presentations provide terrific tips, techniques, tricks and ideas that you can readily bring to your stores to create excitement and stimulate sales!

Knowledge is power. Plan to become more powerful with the help of the National Stationery Show’s expanded and in-depth educational programs!

---Debra

One Person’s Perception is Another’s Reality

The days are getting longer as the show is getting closer. So many pieces are coming together both here at GLM and within our exhibitors’ businesses. New product releases, new booth displays, celebrity appearances, artist signings and other in–booth events in the making – these are just a few of the things that will make the Show so exciting for retailers.

But what retailers want most when they put in time and money to visit a show is to see vendors in booths that are filled with products and warm sales people ready to serve them!

This brings me to what is most on my mind after looking through the non-exhibiting manufacturer badge requests last evening. As an industry event – and one that takes place only once a year – surely everyone wants to be there. But, attending the Show in a way that best represents your business and best serves your customer is a very tactical decision.

Attendee and exhibitor badges are different colors, so at a glance the difference is clear. All badges include business type, job function and company name: Retailer, Owner, The Paper Place; Retailer, Divisional Merchandise Manager, Target; Manufacturer’s Rep, Owner, Roadrunners; Exhibitor, President, Design Design, Exhibitor, Owner, Smock Letterpress.

Non-exhibiting manufacturer (NEM) badges are denoted the same way: Non-Exhibiting Manufacturer, President, ABC Company. Non-Exhibiting Manufacturer, Creative Director, DEF Company. When established companies that should exhibit don’t, and instead attend, it sends a peculiar message to the retail customer walking the show: Why isn’t company ABC exhibiting? Is the business in trouble? Isn’t my business important enough to invest in presenting the lines to me in a booth? And, to the industry peer who has spent real time and money to exhibit and in front of whose booth the NEM stands talking to the retailer that the exhibitor has paid to see, the mindset is one of real frustration: How in the world does the NEM feel right conducting business in front of my booth? Why the heck aren’t they exhibiting? I’m going to talk to Patti about how wrong this is!

The bottom line in my head and heart is that no matter on which side of the business we sit, all of us want the social stationery industry to have a thriving future. There is one industry show – the National Stationery Show. This is where you see or you’re seen, you buy, you sell, you learn and you network. And a healthy show is one that reflects its industry at its best and most diverse, serving its customers – exhibitors and buyers - in the most productive and fair way.

I hope that if you are one of the people that have requested a NEM badge, you will call me to request a booth instead, sharing the stage with 900 of your industry peers who have fully committed the continued health of the social stationery industry.

-Patti

Planning a Wedding: How One Man Is Doing It

Everyone tells you that planning a wedding is a lot of work and can almost become a second job. As I was growing up I heard this and kind of shrugged it off. Ever since I was a little boy, I knew that I wanted to get married someday; commitment-phobic I am not. But, I always assumed that the woman I would marry would plan the wedding. Actually, I thought that she would have the wedding already planed, long before we even met.

So I guess it only makes sense that my fiancé grew up not wanting to get married at all. There was nothing planned or thought out, no dress that she wanted to get married in or song she wanted to dance to. She was actually kind of anti-marriage.

Now we’re getting married this fall and it seems that the lion’s share of the planning is falling (no pun intended) to me. To be fair she is definitely helping out and is more than willing to give her opinion on anything put before her, but I am the driving force behind our committee of two.

So, what do we have so far? I don’t think that we are doing too badly. We have a venue, my mom and step-dads patio in central Virginia; we have a guest list; we have a “theme”, harvest time with an extremely casual dress code (shorts and tee shirts will be allowed). What we have the most of, though, is ideas. We want letterpress invitations (our colors are those of the fall) and we will probably want a tree incorporated into them somehow. We want a string quartet for the ceremony, but do we want a live band or a DJ for the reception? I don’t know and neither does she. We want a buffet style meal, but what kind of food?

I know that it will all come together in the end - my fiancé works best with a tight deadline - but for now, having this hanging over our head is stressful. I would definitely welcome any ideas, advice or cool harvest-type options. I know that I will have the opportunity to view a huge selection at the National Stationery Show, but let me know if you have any.

Oh, I guess we do have one more thing, just last night we ordered our “Save The Date” magnet. Here it is:



- Aaron

The Game Change

Wow things feel really good. The fun is coming back, the attitude is great, retailers and vendors are excited, motivated, and open for business!

And, here at “NSS Headquarters” the buzz is shaking the ground. Exhibit sales and buyer registration hit record highs for the month and we scored some very big and exciting news that we’ll release closer to the Show. I really can’t tell you now.

But, I should mention how incredibly pleased we are to welcome back Recycled Paper Greetings and Papyrus to the Show floor! Great Arrow Graphics, Penny Laine, Odd Balls, Stevie Streck, too! And, how fortunate we are to be partnering with Martha Stewart Weddings on groundbreaking research that we’ll release at the Show. Maybe I should talk about some of the celebrity appearances that we’re working on. And, maybe I should tell you about the fabulous new companies that are launching in 2010. On second thought, I’ll keep those a secret for now.

The next 15 weeks are going to fly by, as we shape the exhibit floor, fine tune all of the educational sessions, special events, hospitality programs, promotions, pr, demos, media tours and so forth. But the fun is back, and we are loving the game change!

-Patti

Where Do I Go Now?

"If you don't know where you are going, then it doesn't matter which road you take, does it?" These words of wisdom are from the Cheshire Cat in “Alice in Wonderland.” And it sums up the way that some people we talk to do business – those people who have expressed interest in the National Stationery Show(NSS) for years but when asked if they want to exhibit this year, the reply is “no, I don’t think I’m ready.”

When is someone finally ready to exhibit at the Show? How can the Show be of help to you? What can you learn to motivate and inspire? Is this not THE gathering of social stationery and wouldn’t it be the most educational atmosphere to develop your business and move it forward?

The NSS offers a wealth of information about the industry and for the industry. At other tradeshows, there is no one industry that is so heartily represented by all sides of the business. The experience you gain by merely exhibiting alongside someone who’s been selling greeting cards for forty years is phenomenal. The webinars to help new exhibitors prepare to exhibit are so worthwhile. And, our website offers simple how-tos -- examples of booths and how people actually put together their special look. My favorite, The Mentor Program, is such an advantage for newcomers. Our Operations Department has taken a new hands-on approach to ensure that you’ll have a good show. And there’s so much more…

It’s not all about buying and selling but making connections, seeing how it’s done, networking, working together and getting the guidance and know-how. And it’s all there for the taking. Come join a group of very committed people and companies that make up a very strong industry. Learn and grow at the National Stationery Show. Then you’ll most certainly know which way you’re going!


-Alyson

Happy New Year!

All of us here would like to wish you and your families a very Happy New Year.

- The National Stationery Show Bloggers

It's a Wrap!

So there I was last night, December 23rd, standing at my ironing board* wrapping the gifts I will be giving to my family and friends on Christmas Day. You can only imagine my frustration as gift after gift poked through the cheap wrapping.

Q. Why the %$#@ do I have this cheap, thin, gift wrap? (Don’t I know better?)
A. The design was cute, it came in a coordinating pack of 3, and was inexpensive – and purchased last year at one of the more design-forward “big box” stores. And yes, I do know better.

Luckily for me, I have a nice inventory of much thicker, higher quality gift wrap. Some of what I found in my stash was from Turnowsky. Oh, such a difference. The thickness of this high quality paper was truly a wonder to me last night, in comparison to what I’d tried to use. And the design, you must know, is just gorgeous – layered, with foiling, rich colors - sumptuous! The feel of folding this paper is just so much more enjoyable. Seriously. With the thin paper, it’s like a fight – this stuff folds in on itself, and of course there’s that ripping thing. With thick gift wrap like this, wrapping does become a joy. Instead of feeling like Mr. Scrooge – “bah humbug!” - I feel the spirit of the season, and know I can proudly present my gifts to each recipient.

To top off any present, ribbon or other decoration is a must. I am not a stick-on ribbon kind of gal. I have skeins of double-faced satin ribbon from Berwick Offray, in practically every color. I also have some absolutely gorgeous velvet ribbon from Midori, and one of the gifts I am giving my mother got this special treatment! (I may try to take it back so I can re-use it next year!!) And wire-ribbon is also a must. If I decide to get really crafty, I will tie on a pinecone, or sticks of cinnamon – or something else clever like that.

In order to keep things straight, there’s the gift tag. Often, I do not have tags specifically coordinated with the wrap. Instead, I try to find tags that are in the same color family as the wrap. I have some wonderful gift tags from Pikme. Designer/Owner Kirsten Reynolds is truly prolific. From this line, I have tags of Christmas (pine) trees, holiday florals, mermaids, flamingos – and so much more. One of my niece’s presents has the mermaid tag on it. I also recently bought some cute letterpress gift tags from Delphine – they feature a polar bear and the paper is shimmery! (I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again – I love a little glitz., shimmer & sparkle!)

Finally, there’s the * above to be addressed. Do any of you wrap like me – on the ironing board? I am nearly 5’ 11” and I find that the ironing board is the perfect height for me – ergonomically. Instead of sitting (and likely slouching) amidst all the wrap, ribbons and tags, I like to stand so that I am able to move about. (To retrieve each gift, back and forth to the kitchen for just a little more bubbly…)

I should have taken a few photos of all of this, but instead, visit each company’s website to get a taste of their wonderful offerings.

Happy Holidays to you!!! Enjoy the season, and remember – if you have been thinking of exhibiting in the National Stationery Show, give me a call 914-421-3228. And if you are in retail and would like to attend, please remember to register for your badge on our website!

Until next time –

Kelly

A Visit to the West Coast

Last week, I took a trip out to Santa Monica, CA to spend Thanksgiving with a good friend, who also has her birthday around that holiday. It was a great trip.

If you’ve been reading my blogs, you know that no matter where I am, I usually find myself visiting a stationery store or two! This trip was no different.

On my first full day in town, my friend and I went to the J. Paul Getty Museum, and I was thrilled to spend the day there. Of course a visit to a museum also includes a nip into the gift shop. Inside of course, were a great number of products from companies that exhibit in the National Stationery Show. There was a great display of journals by Paperblanks, lots of beautiful product from Mudlark (they are doing something really right – I see Mudlark everywhere these days!), lots of calendars, and of course a great display of holiday cards, including boxed cards from Galison and Great Arrow Graphics.

This sign was posted in the Getty’s store, just above all the holiday cards for sale.
Way to go, Getty! The greeting card industry salutes you, and your great message encouraging holiday card sending!


My friend lives very near to Fred Segal Santa Monica. Despite having visited her many times, I had never been in the store (in Santa Monica, it’s two buildings on opposite sides of Broadway). This time, we went in both stores (hurray!) I love the sign on the building’s exterior.

I never knew that Fred Segal has a bunch of boutique shops inside (different stores, different buyers). We went into several, including the cool ZeroMinusPlus store.

Inside there was puzzles, jewelry, wallets from Alicia Klein, cool gadgets, and of course, lots of cards – and from so many different companies, I took notes. Here are just some: Amy Smyth Made It, Constance Kay, Frantic Meerkat, La Familia Green, Quotable Cards, Random Thoughts, and Shannon Martin. I knew all of these companies from having exhibited in the NSS – it almost felt like I was on the Show floor at Javits.

Here’s a quick pic I snapped of one of the displays:

Note to ZeroMinusPlus buyer, Darrylynn: it’s not too early to plan your visit to the NSS this May! Many of these companies, and hundreds more, will be at the Show waiting to see you. We’d love to see you back.

On my last full day in CA, my friend and I went to Pasadena. I had never been there, either. I’m embarrassed to tell you this, but I will anyway – I was “totally psyched” to see the painted pink line up Colorado Boulevard – part of the New Year’s Day Rose Bowl Parade trail. I’ve watched that parade every New Year’s Day for as long as I can remember.

We visited the Huntington Library (finally saw Gainsborough's "The Blue Boy"). Plenty of great products in that store, too, including a number of items from Pomegranate (books, calendars), and cards from Caspari. If you've never been to the Huntington Library - I recommend it - their gardens are varied, and tremendous!

Another great thing about Pasadena: Leigh Jackson of Bella Adorna! When I told Leigh I was coming to her home town, she suggested we meet. It was great to have a “no agenda” get together over a little glass of vino. (Hey! I said I was on vacation!)

Here I am with Leigh. She did tell me she’s got some new designs coming that will be ready for the May 2010 NSS.


After visiting with Leigh, I made tracks for the stationery store Carmody & Company on Union Street. I had read lots of great reviews about this store’s customer service online, and couldn’t wait to get inside and chat with the store’s owner, Terry Clougherty.

Terry shared with me her own tips and tricks for keeping loyal customers coming through her store’s door (sorry – can’t tell you!). She sells a lot of invitations – some through albums – she carries William Arthur, Crane & Co., and Chatsworth, to name a few; and she has a great number of imprintables for customer to buy and finish at home. Terry also has a graphic designer on-staff so that invitations can be custom made for her clients. Quite the business!

When I visited, a set of holiday cards was being assembled for one her clients.


And finally, here I am with Terry, (below).


Hope you enjoyed the recounting of my trip out to the “left coast!” Keep the holiday spirit going this season!

Until next time - Kelly

A ramble

We’re almost done with booth changes for returning exhibitors to the National Stationery Show! Hurray!! Here, back in our glamorous offices at 1133 Westchester Avenue, we have been toiling away on behalf of companies looking for new spaces in the Show. It’s not an easy thing to accomplish and takes up most of mid-October right up until Thanksgiving. It is like this every year, without fail. If you are attending the Show this May, I hope you notice some of your favorite companies in their new locations. Hundreds of exhibitors have moved. (This is typical, too!) Sometimes exhibitors tell us they want to be near each other – to create a neighborhood. Again, this can be a challenge, but it is so very rewarding to be able to accomplish something like this. In fact, (am I letting the cat out of the bag?) you should look for Egg Press, Hello Lucky, Hammerpress and eieio at the Show. They’re all in new booths, and they’ve each staked their claim on a corner spot facing each other. I can’t wait to visit this area of the Show myself, because I know these companies are all friends, and they’re cooking up some collective fun for May. Hint: find them on the 1500 aisle.

I truly enjoy working on the change process because it gives me the excellent opportunity to chat with exhibitors. As we map out new booth spaces together, I get to hear how their year has been (October was great – lots of re-orders and new orders, too), the new products they will be introducing in May (everyone will), and about their sleepless nights putting the finishing touches on their products and packing and shipping them. Hello Anthropologie – you were busy buyers this year! So many of the NSS exhibitors I’ve spoken with got some nice big orders from you, and they all seem to be shipping RIGHT NOW!

We’re also welcoming tons of new companies to the 2010 Show, and have been busy getting them situated into booth spaces for May. I love speaking with the folks at new companies. These talented individuals are on the brink of success! They have great designs, and just need to do the Show to get their products in the hands of customers. It’s fun to talk with folks at this stage – before they’ve “made it.” It’s also great to catch up with them a few years later to hear how much they’ve grown! I have tons of stories, and one that comes to mind is Night Owl Paper Goods. The name of the company came from the fact that our good friend Mr. Stuart Alan Henderson started this company at night – while working a “day job.” Well, the years of hard work have paid off, and now Night Owl is actually run by day!

I applaud and admire each and every one of you who took the brave step to put your designs out there and start your own companies.

It’s not too early to decide to exhibit in the National Stationery Show. If you are on the brink of success, give me a call so I can learn about your company and the kind of stores you hope to “be in.”

If you are a retailer – it’s also not too early to register for your badge for the Show. Our hotel block has been set for a while now, and you can start planning your visit.

Sorry no pics today – I’ve been too busy staring at this floorplan getting things done. You should see my bloodshot eyes. Really!

Until next time - Kelly

The Press of Tradition

Tradition is something that I have heard a lot about over the last year or so. When times are tough, families and individuals alike return to a “simpler time”; a refrain used over and over again on the news, in commercials, on talk-shows. Whether “simpler” means family game night or entertaining at home, people look to the past for both comfort and the reminder that we can and will get through these tough times.

There is no style of social stationery products that is more traditional than letterpress. With its crisp lines and beautiful antique styling pressed on rich, textured paper; letterpress conveys a look and feel that is comfortable, safe. Letterpress also has a unique elegance that lends itself to everything from birthday cards to wedding invitations, to coasters and gift wrap. And by its very tactile quality, something letterpressed adds an extra dimension, an extra sense, to the joy of receiving.

The letterpress contingent comes out in full glory at the National Stationery Show. From the bright, stylized nature motifs of Old School Stationers





to the simple,witty one-liners of Albertine Press,










to the elegant lace patters from Copper Willow Paper Studio,







to the luxurious invitation designs by Elum or Twig & Fig – to name but a few among the nearly 100 companies that feature letterpress in the Show - letterpress is as diverse and prolific as the industry itself.

We are seeing growth in the use of this very specialized printing process, and expect that the 2010 Show will delight buyers with new interpretations and uses of a process that has been around since the 1500’s. A process that, in my opinion, has aged quite gracefully.

- Aaron

Face the Facts!

Sitting where I do today in this age of digitized transactions and impersonal exchanges that while speedy lack the warm-fuzzy (personal) or the gratification of a negotiation completed (business), I am regularly engaged in reinforcing something that is anything but old fashioned: face to face interaction.

I feel like Andy Rooney in writing this, but can you imagine choosing a doctor, deciding on a caregiver for a loved one, choosing a money manager, firming up a business relationship - or any number of significant commitments - without first meeting the person with whom you are seriously associating?

While the pace of change has gradually increased, this past year it shoved its way in and created a new reality. As a world community, we were pushed harder this year to function in new ways and adopt new practices, primarily because of the economy and the internet. While intense and unfamiliar, ultimately change is good. But, I don’t think progress requires “throwing away the baby with the bathwater”. As it relates to doing business, there simply is no substitute for looking a person in the eye to talk and explore ideas and opportunities together. How else can you authentically develop trust, confidence and a general comfort level?

At their most fundamental, tradeshows, conferences and other events provide that opportunity.
I know I have a vested interest in reinforcing this format – so maybe you think I’m biased - but I believe this to my core. There are many opportunities to build new and profitable relationships, along with what I call “high touch schmoozing” that is integral to keep current relationships fresh that can’t be replicated outside this format.

May seems a long time away, but not at NSS headquarters! We are in the thick of renewing exhibitors, developing exciting partnerships, orchestrating innovative promotions, welcoming new companies planning their debut on the exhibit floor, as well as welcoming back exhibitors that took last year off.


I hope everyone that reads my blog this week buys into this reality: what you make and what you sell is core to our social culture and may it long live! So, if you’re in this business then doing business face to face at the 2010 National Stationery Show truly is anything but old fashioned.

-Patti

NSS Community-Based Site Live!

Today we “go live” with the National Stationery Show’s new website. More an industry site than purely a show-centric one, we hope it inspires you, and as it develops, becomes a regular stop in your daily clicks. I know, I know another website to follow, but let me tell you why this one will be worthy for you and your business to keep up with.


We’re setting the bar high and aiming to engage professionals on all sides of the business. The reason is simple: to communicate on a regular basis with our industry community well beyond the 4 days each May that we convene.

www.nationalstationeryshow.com will feature industry and business news, product features, flash polls, links to blogs, and other websites we find valuable, and will present what’s timely and relevant about the Show to exhibitors and buyers. It will be dynamic and participative. And, above all, we hope it builds community.

And speaking of community, don’t you find that this word is so often used to describe our industry? It surfaces in almost every business conversation I have, whether in a meeting, in the midst of a phone call with a customer, a planning session with the team, or during a special event. Community is a defining characteristic of the Show, as all sectors of our industry come together: manufacturers, retailers, distributors, reps, designers, licensing agents, suppliers, consumer and trade press. This is a hallmark of NSS (no pun intended!) and something that, if I do say so myself, is pretty unique in the spectrum of shows and business events that are out there. As our community grows, changes, and spans every corner of the world, we hope that the site becomes a global “town center”.

The soft launch will help us uncover any glitches, any clumsy navigation, and maybe even a mistake! But, in a true community we can and should be ourselves – bumps and all. So, go easy on us, but be sure to let us know what you think of this initial debut. And, allow me to invite you to be a part of this community. Please visit the site often, take our polls, contribute ideas, visit the product gallery and enjoy!

-Patti

Getting Back to Nature

I love the Adirondacks. Located in upstate New York, the Adirondacks National Park is the largest national park in the lower forty-eight states. I have gone there with my family every year since I was born, some years more then once.

This year I was on the lookout. Of course I knew that there were greeting cards in the ADK (as it is referred to by those who go there), but I never really realized just how many different types there were. As I looked over the cards in probably two dozen different gift stores, I realized that there was one broad category of cards that predominates there – nature themed cards were everywhere.

One company who I had the pleasure of speaking to at the 2009 NSS was “Haymaker Press”. A Vermont based company; they specialize in nature photography from the Adirondack and Vermont region. Their cards really evoke the sense of peace and beauty of the area. Just looking at a picture of a still lake surrounded by green, rolling mountains has the ability to calm me.



But it is not just nature photography that predominates. Take this beautiful boxed Christmas card set of snow on birch trees from “Peter Pauper Press”:



Nature has a way of calming the soul. I believe that everyone needs a little bit of nature in there life in order to thrive (I need a lot). Help someone you know thrive, you never know who needs a peaceful mountain lake in their life!

- Aaron