GCA Greeting Card Conference 2026: Full Schedule

11:30am EDT

Breakout Session 1: Show Up. Stand Out. Sell More.

Tuesday August 18, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT

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

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.

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.

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Tuesday August 18, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT
Mezzanine AB

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

Adrienne Taraborelli

Faire

Sara Becker

Customer Marketing Lead, Faire

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

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

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

11:30am EDT

3:15pm EDT

9:45am EDT

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