Jul 10, 2014
Key Speakers on Industry Change, Relevancy, Growth, Insights and More to be Featured at the Upcoming GCA Convention

An impressive roster of key speakers is scheduled for the 73rd Annual Convention of the Greeting Card Association (GCA), taking place from Wednesday, Sept. 17, through Saturday, Sept. 20, at the St. Julien Hotel & Spa in Boulder, Colo. All in the industry – both GCA members and nonmembers – are invited to attend this year’s Convention, themed “The Challenge of Change.”

Keynote speaker Mark Sanborn, CSP, CPAE, will present “Up, Down or Sideways” on Thursday, Sept. 18, 9-10 a.m. Sanborn is the president of Sanborn & Associates, Inc., an idea lab for leadership development, and has authored numerous books and videos on leadership, change, teamwork, and customer service. This enlightening discussion will feature practical ways to prepare for and deal with change – good, bad, or otherwise – by focusing on the mindsets and methods that enable us to succeed no matter what comes our way.

“Remaining Relevant” will be the topic discussed by speaker Ross Shafer, president of Ross Shafer Consultants, Inc . on Thursday, 10:15-11:15 a.m. Shafer, a business turnaround specialist who is also a writer, producer, Fortune 500 consultant, and an Emmy Award-winning TV host, will reveal the innovations and attitudes necessary for leaders to stay relevant to their customers, employees, and B2B partners.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear even more from these speakers during a special “Q&A with Mark Sanborn and Ross Shafer” session on Thursday, 11:15 a.m.-noon.

Also on Thursday, 12:15-1:15 p.m., Nathan Bond, co-owner and director of business development atRifle Paper Co., will present “House of Cards: The successes, challenges, and nervous breakdowns in going from zero to 4,000 stores in 4 years.” Bond will share how the company he founded with his wife, Anna, as a small, online stationery business based out of their garage apartment, has quickly grown into an international brand offering a variety of gift and home products.

On Friday, Sept. 19, 8:30-9:45 a.m., American Greetings’ Susan Sleide, creative director, and Mackenzie Glass, program director for featured product, will speak about “Insights, Influence & Innovation.” Additionally on Friday, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Dr. Meg Campbell, a professor of marketing at the LEEDS School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder, will discuss “Market Trends and How the Consumer Interprets Them.”

Other informative sessions at the GCA Convention will include “Influencing Postal Reform” on Friday, 11-11:30 a.m., by GCA Postal Chair Brenda Turner from DaySpring ; and a GCA Associates Presentation on the “Ever-Changing Trade Publications” on Friday, 9:45-10:45 a.m., with Caroline Kennedy of Gifts and Decorative Accessories, and Matt McCallum of Stationery Trends.

Another highlight of the Convention will be an afternoon of “Ask The Experts” breakout sessions on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2:15-5 p.m. Topics will include “Sales Reps – How to Find Them, Keep Them, and Manage Them,” hosted by Tom Trumble of Leanin’ Tree and George White of Up With Paper; “Maximizing the Impact of Your Online Presence,” with Winston Cook of Native Rank; and “Legal: Understanding Copyright/Trademark in a Creative Workplace,” with Tracy Gray of Holland & Hart.

The GCA thanks the following sponsors of its 73rd Annual Convention: American Greetings Corporation; Avanti Press ; Cardstore.com; Designer Greetings; Exclusive Bordering Company;Hallmark Cards; J.S. McCarthy Printers; Leanin’ Tree; Masterpiece Studios/Fine Impressions; Neenah Paper; Papyrus-Recycled Greetings, Inc.; and Up With Paper.

In addition to these educational opportunities, the GCA Convention will feature numerous fun activities and networking events. For a complete schedule of events and to register, visitwww.greetingcard.org.

About the Greeting Card Association

The Greeting Card Association, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is the U.S. trade association serving the greeting card and social-expression industry. Founded in 1941, the GCA today represents nearly 200 American and international publishers from diverse businesses – ranging from young start-ups to established companies of all sizes, scopes and years in the industry – as well as suppliers that provide production services and product distribution at the wholesale level. Managed by Bostrom, the GCA is committed to celebrating, promoting, and preserving the tradition of sending greeting cards. For more information, visit www.greetingcard.org.




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