GCA Greeting Card Conference 2026: Full Schedule

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9:45am EDT

Breakout Session 1: Getting Started with AI, Safely

Wednesday August 19, 2026 9:45am - 10:30am EDT

Artificial intelligence is changing how businesses operate, and the greeting card industry is no exception. Whether you have never used an AI tool or you are already putting it to work every day, this session is designed to meet you where you are. We will start with the basics: what AI is, how to get started, and simple first steps you can take right away. From there, we will talk about using AI safely, from the everyday risks of free chatbots to the guardrails and human oversight that keep your business protected. The heart of the session is practical use cases you can take back and apply immediately, real examples relevant to companies in our space. We will close by looking ahead at where AI is going, from AI assistants to agent-to-agent commerce, so you leave with a sense of both what is possible today and what is coming next. To keep it useful for everyone in the room, we will open with a quick poll to gauge experience levels and tailor the conversation accordingly. You will walk away with a simple, one-page takeaway of ideas you can try the very next day. Come with your questions. This is meant to be a practical, approachable conversation about putting AI to work in your business, wherever you are starting from.

Speakers

Phani Parlapalli

Founder & CEO, AITOMIC, Inc.

Phanindra "Phani" Parlapalli is the CEO and co-founder of Aitomic, the first AI technology company built specifically for the gift and home industry, which he launched on January 1, 2026. Based in Pittsfield Township, Michigan, he brings almost 30 years of experience spanning technology... Read More →

Matt Darr

Co-Founder & CRO, AITOMIC, Inc.

Matt Darr, a Certified Management Accountant, has spent 27 years in the gift and home industry including as Controller at Young's Inc, leading their finance, customer service and logistics. He's now Co-Founder & CRO of AITOMIC Inc

Wednesday August 19, 2026 9:45am - 10:30am EDT
Mezzanine AB

Breakout Session, Full Conference

9:45am EDT

Breakout Session 2: Social Media; Connecting with Authenticity

Wednesday August 19, 2026 9:45am - 10:30am EDT

Mezzanine CD

Mary Beth Sibert will facilitate this break out session as a follow up to American Greetings Presentation, “Building a scroll-stopping Brand; Launching & Growing on social media. Companies of all sizes will benefit.
Join Adriana Tescut and Victoria Pacino along with Vicky Barone Founder/Creative Director Barone & Co, for an engaging conversation on connecting with your consumers in an authentic and inspiring way. You’ll hear practical ideas, lessons learned, best practices.

We’ll keep it casual and will save time for questions.

Speakers

Victoria Pacino

Manager Social Media & Content Strategy, American Greetings

Victoria Pacino is the Manager of Social Media and Content Strategy at American Greetings, where she works across both the American Greetings and Papyrus brands. With 12 years of experience in brand management, she specializes in building engaging digital campaigns and driving brand... Read More →

Adriana Tescut

Director Brand Marketing, American Greetings & Papyrus

Adriana is a brand marketing and social media leader with over a decade of experience spanning data, strategy, and storytelling. She has spent the past 11 years at American Greetings, where she has evolved from a foundation in business intelligence into leading brand and social marketing... Read More →

Vicky Barone

Founder/Creative Director, Barone & Co

Wednesday August 19, 2026 9:45am - 10:30am EDT
Mezzanine CD

Breakout Session, Full Conference

10:45am EDT

Shop Talk: Small Group Discussions

Wednesday August 19, 2026 10:45am - 11:30am EDT

Medallion ABCD

Choose two discussion tables based on your interests and join a facilitated conversation with industry peers and experts. These interactive small-group sessions are designed to encourage idea sharing, practical learning, and meaningful connections.

What Retailers Look For - Lauren Harms
Licensing Your Art & Brand - Mary Beth Sibert & Brad Woods
Marketing & Outreach for Card Companies - Kate Murray & Kim Dettmer
Financial Management: Which Numbers to Sweat – James Anderson
When to Outsource & Add Help – Carlos Llanso

Sourcing with Associate Members – Associate Members
Networking Opportunity – Open table for anyone

Wednesday August 19, 2026 10:45am - 11:30am EDT
Medallion ABCD

Breakout Session, Full Conference

GCA Greeting Card Conference 2026

9:45am EDT

Phani Parlapalli

Matt Darr

9:45am EDT

Victoria Pacino

Adriana Tescut

Vicky Barone

10:45am EDT

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