Spring 2023 - 6

EDITOR'S LETTER
Anything Goes
M
the most we can hope for is that hard
work, dedicated focus and logical
smarts will pay off in the end.
Take trade shows. At one time,
attending them was mandatory - but
then, coronavirus ascended. Buying
moved onto various platforms, and
as trade shows reappeared, the
platforms still cast a long shadow.
Retailers had gotten used to ordering
through them, and many now visit
booths, but place orders in their
hotel rooms that night. Thus, the
show floor and what occurs there has
transformed. Meanwhile, retailers
who opened their doors while shows were on hiatus are currently
integrating " old-fashioned " trade shows into their buying patterns.
It also wasn't too long ago that if you worked in stationery, attending
the National Stationery Show was mandatory. *Noted has sprung up as
the spring stationery buying event, and this year's is completely sold
out as of press time - testament to the idea that stationery needs an
in-person event during that specific time of year.
Yet the fact that the Greeting Card Association has begun creating
*Noted pop-ups at other markets speaks to the idea that there is no
longer any one central, can't-miss greeting card event. Instead, there
are many thriving smaller events across the country that are now
dotted across calendar months, too.
This complicated situation evolved relatively quickly, so the dust is
definitely still settling. While an undefined present can feel scary, it
also means that now is an ideal time to take a risk or two. During times
of social upheaval, new ideas and approaches tend to be welcomed,
or at least heard.
A fragmented market means a maker or retailer can choose her
audience and construct it as she sees fit. As the old ways tumble down,
we have the exciting opportunity to rebuild as we like. And that, my
friends, is a mighty power, one I hope you witness for yourself in
these pages - and that inspires you in your own personal ditching
of the rules. Therefore, for this, our Trends Issue, disruption is the
biggest trend to watch.
Until next issue,
STATIONERY TRENDS
ADVISORY BOARD
CIRCULATION
ADVERTISING SALES
EDITORIAL
y motto for 2023 is " Ditch the Rules. " For somehow, somewhere
along the line, the stationery game completely changed - and
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Sarah Schwartz
216-577-4821
sarahs@greatamericanpublish.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Carly McFadden
616-520-2164
cmcfadden@greatamericanpublish.com
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Julie McCallum
616-520-2134
jmccallum@greatamericanpublish.com
PUBLISHER
Brian Virgona
616-520-2140
brianv@greatamericanpublish.com
GROUP PUBLISHER
Tiffany O'Kelley
616-520-2172
tokelley@greatamericanpublish.com
PRODUCTION
SEINIOR CLIENT SUCCESS
REPRESENTATIVE
Jolan Godfrey
616-520-2148
jgodfrey@greatamericanpublish.com
ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Amanda Mackey
616-520-2157
amackey@greatamericanpublish.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Allison McKenzie
616-520-2142
amckenzie@greatamericanpublish.com
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Becky Stovall
616-520-2138
bstovall@greatamericanpublish.com
CORPORATE
CFO
Deb Carnes
616-520-2169
dcarnes@greatamericanpublish.com
COO & CMO
Kimberly Baker
616-520-2135
kbaker@greatamericanpublish.com
CEO
Matt McCallum
616-520-2133
mmccallum@greatamericanpublish.com
Daniel Collier
Daniel Richards
Chandra Greer
GREER Chicago
Grace Kang
Pink Olive
Jennifer Kattalia
Paper Source
Jennifer Luna
Paper Luxe
Dennis O'Brien
DesignWorks Ink
Julie Smith
Design Group Americas
George White
Up With Paper
Audrey Woollen
Urbanic Paper Boutique
6 Spring 2023 | STATIONERY TRENDS
Photo courtesy of Simone Jowell Photography
Spring 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Spring 2023
