This popular GCA members event is a great way to meet prospective business partners, network with existing business contacts and keep up to date with current industry issues!
For established publishers it’s a good opportunity to show new products and build on established relationships. For new businesses it’s a great opportunity to get feedback on designs and learn more about what buyers are looking for. And maybe get some orders!
Dragons Speed Dating (DSD) will take place on the afternoon of 7th March 2024 at the Business Design Centre, London N1 with 72 publisher taking part. The event will start at 12.45pm and finished by 5.30pm.
Retailers confirmed to attended in 2024….
Buyers from John Lewis, Sainsbury’s, Postmark, House of Cards, Austin & Co, Red Card, Stationery Supplies, Card Factory, Lark, Diverse Brixton, Medici Gallery, Sincerely Yours, Presentation Cards & Gifts, The Only Place for Pictures, Scribbler, WHSmith and Jumping Bean.
Thank you so much for inviting us to the Dragons Speed Dating event again, we found some fantastic new publishers there last year with whom we now work with and always great to meet new talent in the industry that are coming through. We’d love to attend again this year
Cheryl Sandbach
New Formats Buyer, Cardfactory
It’s a great way for retailers to find new suppliers as well as network. Buyers all meet at least 12 different publishers, and take home 3 samples from each of the 72 publishers attending.
If you are a retailer interested in joining us as a Dragon for this event please email adriana@gca.cards
About Dragons Speed Dating:
If you haven’t been to DSD before see our blog What is Dragons Speed Dating for full details about how it works, plus film, photos and highlights from previous years!
Full details about how the day works, what you need to do to prepare is available on our Prepare the Slay The Dragon blog. This includes the recording of the live zoom event that took place on Tuesday 23rd January 2024 and previous recordings of the zoom meeting held to help you get the most out of this event.
Panel Discussion
The Panel will share insights into their businesses and answered questions.
In honour of International Women’s Day on the 8th March, the GCA will celebrate female leadership and progression in our industry by having an all female panel chaired by Amanda Fergusson, GCA CEO.
Our Panel and topics they will be covering:
Karen Wilson, Paper Salad & GCA Vice President:
“Importance of having a USP and how to build your brand”
Rebecca Green, Raspberry Blossom & GCA Council Member:
“The Growing Pains of a Blossoming Business”
Georgina Fihosy, Afro Touch & GCA Council Member:
“Cards & Cashflows: Mastering multiple income streams in the Greeting Card Industry”
Kelly Hudson, Mc Daniels Law – Licensing and Copyright legal experts:
“Intellectual property in the greetings card industry”
Nicola Webster, NJ Webster Consulting – social media expert
“The Power of Instagram for greeting cards businesses”
Sponsors
The GCA is delighted to have both Loxleys specialist greeting card printers and Fedrigoni paper specialists as sponsors this year. Loxleys are a specialist greeting card manufacturer with over 165 years experience. With expertise in lithographic and digital greeting card production.
Loxleys is delighted to be the headline sponsor of the GCA Dragons Speed Dating event in 2024. This event is a fantastic way for publishers to get their product in front of key retail buyers and to develop relationships with prospective retail customers. Personally I really am looking forward to being involved with the event.
Tony Lorriman
Managing Director, Loxleys
Social Media Assets
We would appreciate it if you could help everyone get “fired-up” for the Dragons Speed Dating event on social media. Below are some graphics in different formats for Dragons (Retailers), Dragon Slayer (Publisher) and Speakers.
Please can you use #dragonsspeeddating and tag in @gca_uk. We can then reshare your message/post on Instagram.
Downloads
