The 2023 GCA Conference and AGM – LAST CHANCE TO BOOK!
The 2023 annual GCA Conference and AGM will be held in Leeds on Thursday 28th September 2023 at the Royal Armouries Museum.
The event will start at 10am with coffee and the first opportunity to network, and finish by 4.30pm with those wishing to network further moving on to a nearby bar.
Tickets are selling fast. Clink link below to secure your tickets now!
About the GCA Conference
The GCA’s annual Conference & AGM is a great opportunity to meet others, listen to inspirational speakers and learn about and discuss the key topics affecting our industry.
This year we have an exciting line-up of speakers, based in or around Leeds. They will be sharing their business experiences and focusing on the key issues effecting our industry. We will also be sharing the latest industry market research.
GCA Conferences are also a great opportunity to meet others in the trade and exchange news. We start the day with a networking coffee, with further opportunities to chat over a late morning coffee and lunch. Members from new and small businesses, through to the industry leaders will be there, including retailers and key suppliers. To learn more about our annual GCA Conference and AGM see below.
2023 Venue
Leeds is the UK’s 2023 city of culture, during which the city will be celebrating creativity, see link below.
The Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds, West Yorkshire, is a short walk from the city centre train station.
The Royal Armouries Museum is the home of the UK’s national collection of arms and armour, and is the largest dedicated conference, events and exhibition space in Leeds. Guests are able to enjoy the backdrop of some of the museum’s finest collections and stunning views of Leeds Dock.
The Royal Armouries is featured in our Conference logo, kindly designed by Wendy Jones-Blackett, along with owls – see below to find out more about their links to Leeds!
The full address of the venue is Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1LTU . Our link to book has more information on getting there and also suggested hotels if you are staying overnight.
AGM
The day will include an update on GCA activities to promote and protect our wonderful industry, and also to support you and your business.
This part of the day will also include the appointment of new Council members, and this year a new President and Vice-President. The GCA Council are responsible for general oversight of the management of the GCA, and focus on policy matters that affect members and our industry. The Council includes members with key skills and experience to enable us to effectively run the GCA in line with our stated objectives (see link above).
If you are interested in standing for election to Council please contact amanda@gca.cards.
The night before!
If you are local, or planning to stay over the night before, please join us for a drink!
UK Greetings is kindly hosting a meet up drink in Leeds city centre at The Lost & Found Leeds Club from 6pm on 27th September. It will be a fun opportunity to network ahead of the Conference.
The Lost and Found Leeds Club
3 Albion Place
Leeds
LS1 6JL
The venue is less than a mile from the venue of the AGM. Also a short walk from train station.
If you would like to attend please RSVP to Claire at Claire.Hammond@ukgreetings.co.uk
Hope to see you there!
Keynote Speakers
We have a fabulous line up of inspirational speakers:
Adam Dury
We are thrilled that Adam Dury, Chief Commercial Officer at Card Factory will be joining us. Passionate about the card industry, where he has worked for over 25 years as both publisher and retailer, Adam will be sharing his view of the greeting card market and some interesting consumer insights. He will also talk about Card Factory, changes they are seeing on the High St, how they work with other publishers, and sharing some background on Card Factory’s journey from the back of a van!
Mark Jessett
Sustainability is a key issue for us all, and Mark Jessett, well-known paper consultant at G.F Smith, will talk about developments in sustainability from a paper perspective. He’ll also share an insight into what G.F Smith are doing as a company, what their customers are looking for in and the pressures on the paper industry, increase in costs and supply issues with recycled fibre. Also, he will share the many positive things we in the greetings industry are already doing. Mark will also speak about production and supply.
Kantar’s Moneeba Baloch & Ni Wang
Back by popular demand are market research company Kantar, one of the world’s leading data, insight and consultancy companies. Consumer Insights Director Moneeba, and colleague Ni who also joined us last year, will be sharing the latest fascinating Consumer insights, looking at changes in shopping patterns, how sustainability, diversity and the current cost of living challenges are impacting how and where people shop.
Sarah Laker
We are delighted that inspirational indie retailer Sarah Laker will be talking about some of the marketing ideas that have worked well for her, sharing her top tips to get people into store and buying cards! Sarah is owner of award winning retailer Stationery Supplies, with stores in Marple and Wilmslow and online at Giraffe Gifts. She is also a marketing expert who will be sharing examples of some of the successful campaigns she has led. Lead of 2023 National Stationery Week, Sarah also shared her advice to publishers selling into indie retailers in her role as a Dragon at the 2023 GCA Dragons Speed Dating.
Wendy Jones-Blackett
We are delighted that our publisher key note speaker this year will be the inspirational, award-winning, eponymous Wendy Jones-Blackett. Based in Leeds, and well known for her creativity in the industry, Wendy will be talking about how she got into the world of greeting cards – from her blacksmithing days at Art College via the Glastonbury Festival – plus a few highs and lows from her years in business and sharing where she finds the inspiration to design new ranges. Wendy also kindly designed our fab 2023 Conference and AGM 2023 logo!
If you have questions you’d like us to put to our speakers please contact us. We look forward to seeing you in September!
Further information about the GCA Annual Conference & AGM
If you are a GCA Supplier member and are interested in Sponsoring the Leeds Conference please log in and visit this link to find out more. https://www.gca.cards/sponsor-the-gca-conference-agm-2023/ NB There are a limited number of Sponsorship places, so they are allocated on a first come first served basis.
Find out more about Leeds 2023 city of culture
Find out more about The Royal Armouries, Leeds
Find out more about why owls – are a key feature of Leeds
See report and photos from our 2022 Conference and AGM in Nottingham
Also, see report and photos from the 2021 Conference and AGM in Manchester
Find out more about the Latest GCA Events
More member Information about the GCA and it’s Council
