WASHINGTON — The Greeting Card Association (GCA) and Dallas Market Center have agreed to offer members of the association “GCA Village” space, exclusive to newer GCA publisher members, at the winter and summer 2020 shows as part of a larger effort to expand trade show opportunities for members. The expanded program launches in Dallas in January, 2020. The partnership is expected to continue into 2021.

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,” noted 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 White.