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Type: Breakout Session clear filter
Tuesday, August 18
 

11:30am EDT

Breakout Session 1: Show Up. Stand Out. Sell More.
Tuesday August 18, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT
Mezzanine AB
Trade shows are a significant investment of time, money, and energy... but the real return comes from what happens before, during, and after the event. In this session, you'll learn practical strategies for attracting the right buyers, displaying products, creating meaningful connections, and following up effectively. We'll cover ways to maximize every aspect of your show experience, regardless of booth size or budget. Kate and Lindsay will also share some of their best hacks (and biggest flops) learned from exhibiting at over 50 trade shows combined. Leave with actionable ideas you can implement at your very next market!
Speakers
avatar for Kate Murray

Kate Murray

Owner and Designer, Quick Brown Fox Letterpress
Kate Murray is the owner and designer and letterpress printer at Quick Brown Fox, a letterpress brand and retail shop in Saugerties, New York.
avatar for Lindsay Henry

Lindsay Henry

Founder & Creative Director, Inklings Paperie
Lindsay Henry is the founder and creative director of Inklings, a stationery and lifestyle brand based in Plymouth, Michigan.




... Read More →
Tuesday August 18, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT
Mezzanine AB
  Breakout Session, Mini Conference

11:30am EDT

Breakout Session 2: Who Will Sell Greeting Cards Tomorrow?
Tuesday August 18, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT
Mezzanine CD
The greeting card industry relies on sales reps to drive growth, but finding the next generation of talent is becoming increasingly challenging. This panel will examine what's changing, what's working, and how publishers and sales organizations can adapt. From recruiting and compensation to hybrid roles and evolving expectations, attendees will gain practical insights for building a stronger, more sustainable sales network.
Speakers
avatar for Tom Shoaf

Tom Shoaf

Founder, Biely & Shoaf

avatar for Brad Woods

Brad Woods

Maginating
Maginating champions childlikeness to empower others to embrace and express their innate childlike qualities. We endeavor to advocate for qualities like joy, innocence, make-believe, whimsy, kindness, and a dash of silliness, and have been pursuing this goal since 2008 with award-winning... Read More →
avatar for Lisa Engler

Lisa Engler

Avanti Press
Lisa Engler is Vice President of Product Planning & Partnerships at Avanti Press in Detroit, Michigan. After more than 34 years in the greeting card industry, she still loves the people, the creativity, and the relationships that make it so special. She proudly served as the 2025... Read More →
VH

Vanessa Harnik

Notes & Queries

Tuesday August 18, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT
Mezzanine CD
  Breakout Session, Mini Conference

3:15pm EDT

Breakout Session 1: Faire Shop Hot Seat
Tuesday August 18, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm EDT
Mezzanine AB

Speakers
avatar for Adrienne Taraborelli
avatar for Sara Becker

Sara Becker

Customer Marketing Lead, Faire

avatar for Lindsay Henry

Lindsay Henry

Founder & Creative Director, Inklings Paperie
Lindsay Henry is the founder and creative director of Inklings, a stationery and lifestyle brand based in Plymouth, Michigan.




... Read More →
Tuesday August 18, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm EDT
Mezzanine AB
  Breakout Session, Full Conference

3:15pm EDT

Breakout Session 2: The Handwritten Edge: Winning With AI
Tuesday August 18, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm EDT
Mezzanine CD
AI will never sign a card. It can help you run the business behind one. This session gives every card maker, from solopreneur to enterprise team, a practical path for putting AI to work on outreach, operations, and customer relationships while your creative voice stays fully human. You will leave knowing where you stand on the AI maturity journey, how to teach AI your authentic voice, and three prompts to try this week.
Speakers
avatar for Martin J King

Martin J King

Founder & CEO, AI-X
Marty King is the Founder and CEO of AI-X, where he helps organizations turn the promise of artificial intelligence into practical business results. A seasoned entrepreneur and strategic advisor with more than 30 years of experience, Marty has built, scaled and successfully exited... Read More →
Tuesday August 18, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm EDT
Mezzanine CD
  Breakout Session, Full Conference
 
Wednesday, August 19
 

9:45am EDT

Breakout Session 1: Getting Started with AI, Safely
Wednesday August 19, 2026 9:45am - 10:30am EDT
Mezzanine AB
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
avatar for Phani Parlapalli

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 →
avatar for Matt Darr

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
avatar for Victoria Pacino

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 →
avatar for Adriana Tescut

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 →
avatar for Vicky Barone

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


    Plus, additional options including:
    • 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
 

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