New GCA Village Exhibit Space to Debut in Dallas
for the First Time 

—Greeting Card Association Village expands to Dallas Market Center for 2020 Shows —

The expanded program, exclusive to newer GCA publisher members, will launch in Dallas in January 2020. The partnership is expected to continue into 2021.

“Having GCA Village join us in Dallas for the first time is a special opportunity, not only to help members grow their business, but for our loyal retailers to recognize such a creative industry inside our marketplace,” said Kelly Bristol, VP of Trade Show Business Development for Dallas Market Center. “We are thrilled to be working with the Greeting Card Association.”

The GCA looks forward to offering access to new services and opportunities that provide enhanced visibility for all members, regardless of their location. “The start of a new tradeshow season is always an exciting time for GCA members,” notes George White, President of the GCA. “But it’s also important to make the right choices when it comes to use of scarce company resources. Our expansion of the GCA Village program, and the launch of GCA’s Noted: The Greeting Card Expo earlier this year, bring new, enhanced regional exhibit opportunities for member companies to reach a broader audience at an affordable price.”

The goals for the organization for 2020 include taking steps to increase member and volunteer engagement. “Some member publishers are exhibiting at trade shows for the first time and are unsure if they have the resources to travel to shows outside their area. We want to send a message that trade shows are still viable and are, in many cases, the best option for high-level interaction with clients, old and new.”

Expansion of the GCA Village program ensures that the latest products from GCA members will be more accessible than ever. “The GCA’s growing membership continues to design products that appeal to today’s engaged shoppers. And of course, the availability of new and diverse product in stores will benefit consumers and our retail partners,” said Peter Doherty, Executive Director.

Exhibit space will be sold to GCA members directly by Dallas Market Center personnel. Members who are signed up to exhibit at Noted 2020 will receive a 10% discount on each Dallas Market Center GCA Village space purchased. Because one objective of this program is to secure newer publishers and/or those who have been in showrooms before but are moving out to the temporaries for future shows, GCA members may only participate in two GCA Village exhibitions at DMC and cannot have exhibited separately at DMC during 2019. “We are excited about this new partnership with the Dallas Market Center to facilitate more member involvement in this key market, and look forward to strong results, in 2020 and beyond,” concluded George.

About the GCA

The Greeting Card Association is the U.S. trade association serving the greeting card and social expression industry. Its signature industry events include the LOUIE Awards, the annual fall Workshop and Retreat, and *Noted: The Greeting Card Expo™ – an event by and for the greeting card community.

Founded in 1941, the GCA is supported by 200 American and international publishers from businesses ranging from start-ups to established companies of all sizes, scopes and industry tenure -- as well as suppliers that provide production services and wholesale product distribution. Read more about the GCA.

About Dallas Market Center

Dallas Market Center is a global business-to-business trade center and the leading wholesale marketplace in North America connecting retailers and interior designers with top manufacturers in western apparel and accessories, home décor, furniture, gifts, lighting and fashion for women, men, and children. Inside its dynamic, five million square foot campus near downtown Dallas, nearly 200,000 customers from all 50 states and 85 countries seek industry trends, business education and new products via open-daily showrooms and from exhibitors participating in trade events held throughout the year. The Dallas Market Center website is available at dallasmarketcenter.com.

To make plans for upcoming markets, visit the Dallas Market Center website and download the Dallas Market Center and Lightovation Apps. Also, keep up-to-date on all information by visiting Dallas Market Center on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the Dallas Market Center blog.

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