GCA Conference 2026: Full Schedule

2:00pm EDT

Going FourWords with Your Creativity™ & Opening Remarks

Monday August 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

The Going FourWords with Your Creativity™ Framework is a science-backed tool built around four words — Revive, Realize, Refine, and Release. These four words help professionals regain and maintain energy, confidence, and joy in their career and life.

Speakers

Beth Buffington

Founder, BDI-Create Today

Curious Creative · Founder, BDI-Create Today · Author, Going FourWords™ Framework

Beth Berns Buffington is a curious creative, and this curiosity shows up in all corners of her work. As a keynote speaker, creative coach, licensed artist, and product designer, she believes creativity is one of the most practical tools we have for building a life we actually love... Read More →

Monday August 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Medallion ABCD

General Session, Mini Conference

3:00pm EDT

A Data Dive into Current and Future Market Trends

Monday August 17, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Medallion ABCD

Join Erica Kirkland, the publisher and editor of Giftbeat, as she guides an open discussion on current and future trends impacting the greeting card industry. Look forward to a deep dive into the present market along with predictions of the future of this category among independent gift retailers. Attendees will have the chance to ask Erica any question they would like regarding Giftbeat, current market trends and future predictions!

Speakers

Erica Kirkland

Publisher & Editor, Giftbeat

With two highly-respected, self-published titles for independent lifestyle retailers, Erica Kirkland is forging her own path in the market as an unabashed champion and advocate for small store owners. With InStore Magazine for Canadian store owners and Giftbeat for U.S. retailers... Read More →

Monday August 17, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Medallion ABCD

General Session, Mini Conference

8:30am EDT

Retail Insights and Trends in the Greeting Card Market with Faire

Tuesday August 18, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT

Medallion ABCD

Session information TBD

Speakers

Sara Becker

Customer Marketing Lead, Faire

Tuesday August 18, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Medallion ABCD

General Session, Mini Conference

9:45am EDT

Associate Speed Networking

Tuesday August 18, 2026 9:45am - 11:15am EDT

Medallion ABCD

Join our supplier members as they share their products and services and how they can help you.

Tuesday August 18, 2026 9:45am - 11:15am EDT
Medallion ABCD

General Session, Mini Conference

2:00pm EDT

Retailer Panel

Tuesday August 18, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

Medallion ABCD

Speakers

Dan Collier

Daniel Richards

Shannon Kang

Director of Merchandising, Paper, Barnes & Noble

Shannon is the Director of Merchandising, Paper for Barnes & Noble and Paper Source, where she oversees the buying strategies of a range of paper categories across both brands, including greeting cards. With more than 20 years in retail across multiple countries, she has built her... Read More →

Tuesday August 18, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Medallion ABCD

General Session, Full Conference

4:15pm EDT

Building a Scroll-Stopping Brand: Launching and Growing on Social Media

Tuesday August 18, 2026 4:15pm - 5:00pm EDT

Medallion ABCD

In a crowded digital world, attention is the most valuable currency. This session breaks down what it actually takes to build a brand people stop for, engage with, and remember on social media.

Through real-world examples and actionable insights, this session will provide practical strategies for launching, growing, and evolving a social media presence that not only captures attention — but keeps it.

Whether you’re building a brand from scratch or refining an existing strategy, you’ll leave with ideas you can immediately apply to create content that resonates and stands out.

This session will be lead by American Greetings.

Speakers

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 →

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 →

Tuesday August 18, 2026 4:15pm - 5:00pm EDT
Medallion ABCD

General Session, Full Conference

8:30am EDT

Rethinking Your Business Model to Unlock Relevance, Margin, and Growth Across Your Supply Chain

Wednesday August 19, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT

Medallion ABCD

This session challenges traditional thinking by exploring how companies can approach their business differently looking beyond individual components and instead at how paper, envelopes, print, and fulfillment work together as a system. Panelists will share how smarter decisions across these four core areas can drive efficiency, reduce costs, and better align with today’s retail demands. By rethinking how products are sourced, produced, packaged, and delivered, attendees will gain new ideas for protecting margins, improving flexibility, and finding fresh opportunities for growth.

Speakers

Kim Shannon

National Sales Manager, Neenah Paper

Kim Shannon is a National Sales Manager at Neenah Paper with over 20 years of experience driving growth and building strong client relationships. She works with greeting card publishers of all sizes—from major brands to independent companies—helping them identify opportunities... Read More →

Sue Charlier

Greeting Card and Stationery Specialist, Leader Paper

Sue Charlier is an avid greeting card sender with more than 30 years’ experience in printing, paper, finishing, packaging, fulfillment, and envelopes.Throughout her career, she has partnered with greeting card publishers on product development, optimizing print and finishing operations... Read More →

Liz Richardson

Co-Founder, Indigo Ink

Liz Richardson is a co-founder and Co-CEO of Indigo Ink Digital Printing Inc., a full-service print shop located in Columbia, Md. Liz, along with her husband and business partner, Matt, launched Indigo Ink in 2003, believing this new company could better serve quality driven clients... Read More →

Gerard Vail

French and Finch Paper

Wednesday August 19, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Medallion ABCD

General Session, Full Conference

11:45am EDT

Lunch and Closing Keynote: Connection Starts With Us

Wednesday August 19, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm EDT

Medallion ABCD

A look at how the greeting card industry can foster stronger communities through the simple, powerful act of sending greeting cards. This session highlights the real-world impact of connection and reminds us why the work we do matters every day.

Speakers

Jory Kate Haslett

Leanin' Tree

Jory Kate Haslett is the Senior Product Manager at Leanin' Tree, where she has spent more than 15 years developing greeting card and gift collections that connect with consumers in meaningful ways. A lifelong card sender, she still keeps a cherished box of cards received on her first... Read More →

Wednesday August 19, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm EDT
Medallion ABCD

General Session, Full Conference

2:00pm EDT

3:00pm EDT

8:30am EDT

9:45am EDT

2:00pm EDT

4:15pm EDT

8:30am EDT

11:45am EDT

Get help with the event