Sell Your Greeting Cards & Social Luxury at Stationary Show
Yes, everybody knows, now is not the best time for unnecessary luxuries. However, the recession will stop someday, and it’s best that you’re prepared at that time. Meanwhile. many successful businesses have started in the midst of recession, and it was their cost consciousness while living out there passion that made them get their formula right and succeed.
Now, having said all this: want to go somewhere to sell your paper-related gift, luxury and social stationary items, or learn something new to benefit your art or craft business? Head out the National Stationary Show in New York.
This show is tailored towards retailers and attracts a diverse global attendance of 14,000 buyers from department, chain and specialty stores; mom & pop stationery, card and gift shops; bookstores; bridal shops; party stores; hospital gift shops; and lifestyle/luxe stores; garden centers; online retailers; mail order catalogs; premium buyers; general gift retailers; mass merchandisers; in addition to importers & distributors.
Consider this show, if your craft involves greeting cards, invitations, imprintables, giftwrap/ribbons, stationery, specialty party supplies and paper tableware, bridal accessories, customized/ personalized products, in-store printing equipment, decorative home office products, luxury leather goods, writing instruments, papercrafting supplies, frames, journals, calendars, and specialty giftware. However, if you’ve never done any other craft show, consider visiting the NSS as an education, but I would begin with a local show first, till you have learned how to invest in yourself, and then take a booth out at NSS.
New trends, marketing techniques, green merchandising and idea-generating retail forums are all part of the educational programs at the upcoming National Stationery Show (NSS) in New York this coming May 17-20. This show is a resource for practical, profitable, professional retailing ideas and cutting-edge information. There will be a wealth of business-boosting educational events at the 2009 National Stationery Show, organizers said.
When you are ready, consider either conducting or taking a seminar. Diversified yet focused, the NSS’ highly informative buyer education program speaks to the needs of veteran and new retailers alike, addressing trends, visual merchandising, gift packaging, professional promotional and marketing techniques, eco-friendly sales and business-building tips. The comprehensive mix of seminars, daily “Watch & Learn” demonstrations and the retail forum brainstorming sessions – complete with several networking and information-sharing opportunities – creates the optimal learning experience.
Usually, the best way to start doing a show is to first go there as a visitor before you invest in it, and to learn how your buyers think and operate. This show caters to buyers’ needs, and you can see if and how you best fit in. “It is essential to offer today’s retailer multiple features at market to meet their ROI,” said Patti Stracher, show manager. “The combination of education, new product discovery, business development and relationship-building will deliver this, and they’ll return to their businesses with a creative and competitive edge.”
The distinguished panel of presenters features well-known industry experts, including visual merchandising authority Linda Cahan, Cahan & Company; retail promotions specialist Carolyn Howard-Johnson; successful retailer Juanita Lewis, UCLA Hospital Gift Shop; and the editors of leading trade publications, including Gift Shop, GREETINGS etc. and Stationery Trends.
Seminars and roundtable discussions will be presented in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Daily demonstrations will take place on the show floor, in the Demonstration Theater. The National Stationery Show considers itself the premier market for social stationery, greeting cards, invitations, home office, writing instruments, designer partyware, wedding, juvenile and related lifestyle products. nationalstationeryshow.com.
The 63rd annual edition will run May 17-20, 2009, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, featuring 1,100 exhibitors and attracting 14,000 retailers. The show closes at noon on Wednesday, May 20th.
