GCA Workshop + Retreat 2024: Full Schedule

5:00pm MDT

Welcome Reception

Wednesday October 23, 2024 5:00pm - 6:00pm MDT

Colorado Lounge Foyer

Join fellow attendees for a welcome reception.

Wednesday October 23, 2024 5:00pm - 6:00pm MDT
Colorado Lounge Foyer

Reception/Networking

6:00pm MDT

Opening Keynote: The Value of Having Values

Wednesday October 23, 2024 6:00pm - 6:45pm MDT

Alpine Ballroom

There is a certainty in the printed word, and at Ladyfingers Letterpress, we express that same certainty in the belief that new futures where people are safe, seen, and celebrated are possible. Join us to learn more about how your values and vision can guide the work you make, fuel growth and engage your audience. Colorado Springs-basedLadyfingers Letterpress will share their approach to message-making and longevity in an ever-evolving industry. For the past 14 years, they have joined the art of hand-lettering and letterpress as the basis of their creations, often blurring the lines between art and activism. As a trans and queer-owned business, they create work from their lived experiences and strive to create a world in which others can do the same.

Speakers

Morgan Calderini

Ladyfingers Letterpress

Arley Torsone

Ladyfingers Letterpress

Wednesday October 23, 2024 6:00pm - 6:45pm MDT
Alpine Ballroom

General Session

7:00pm MDT

Dinner

Wednesday October 23, 2024 7:00pm - 9:00pm MDT

Upper Mountain View Terrace

Wednesday October 23, 2024 7:00pm - 9:00pm MDT
Upper Mountain View Terrace

Food and/or Drink

9:00pm MDT

Late Night Networking

Wednesday October 23, 2024 9:00pm - 10:00pm MDT

The Inverness Denver

Optional, self-pay, but a great opportunity to continue conversations!

Wednesday October 23, 2024 9:00pm - 10:00pm MDT
The Inverness Denver

Food and/or Drink

7:30am MDT

Registration Open

Thursday October 24, 2024 7:30am - 5:00pm MDT

Colorado Lounge Foyer

Thursday October 24, 2024 7:30am - 5:00pm MDT
Colorado Lounge Foyer

7:45am MDT

Retreat Activity: Silent Book Club

Thursday October 24, 2024 7:45am - 8:30am MDT

Lobby

Bring your book to hang out with fellow readers! We'll meet in the lobby of the hotel and have some quiet time to enjoy reading before the day kicks off. No assigned book, bring what you want!

Thursday October 24, 2024 7:45am - 8:30am MDT
Lobby

Retreat

7:45am MDT

Retreat Activity: Smartphone Photo Walk

Thursday October 24, 2024 7:45am - 8:30am MDT

The Inverness Denver

Did you know that stopping to observe your surroundings through the lens of a camera is a great way to recharge and deepen your connection with nature?

Jan Golden, who was previously an iPhone Photography instructor, will share some smartphone photography tips and lead us on a photo walk around venue campus. At the end of the walk, we'll share our best photos and discuss our experience. The walk will be approximately 1 mile.

Please bring your smartphone and comfortable walking shoes. All photography skill levels are welcome.

Speakers

Jan Golden

Age-Friendly Vibes

Thursday October 24, 2024 7:45am - 8:30am MDT
The Inverness Denver

Retreat

7:45am MDT

Breakfast

Thursday October 24, 2024 7:45am - 9:00am MDT

Alpine Ballroom

Thursday October 24, 2024 7:45am - 9:00am MDT
Alpine Ballroom

Food and/or Drink

9:00am MDT

An Update From the Front Lines of Cutthroat Contemporary Graphic Design: And Other Lies, Fibs and Perjuries

Thursday October 24, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

Alpine Ballroom

Get the inside scoop with Aaron Draplin, Founder of Field Notes, and learn what goes on behind the scenes at the Draplin Design Co.! He’ll give an in-depth walk through recent projects big, small and downright ugly, including an overview of the Field Notes story. Sometimes, bigger isn't better, and he’ll provide bonaﬁde proof of a ferociously independent existence in the cutthroat world of contemporary graphic design. His methods, momentum and mania in a fun, loose setting. Questions answered. Riddles solved. Enigmas discussed.

Speakers

Aaron Draplin

Field Notes

Aaron Draplin of the Draplin Design Co. lives and works in Portland, Oregon. He makes stuff for rock bands, comedians, restaurants, festivals and leftie politicians. He’s traveled the world telling his story, with over 500 speaking fiascos under his belt. He co-created Field Notes... Read More →

Thursday October 24, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Alpine Ballroom

General Session

10:00am MDT

Break

Thursday October 24, 2024 10:00am - 10:15am MDT

Colorado Lounge Foyer

Thursday October 24, 2024 10:00am - 10:15am MDT
Colorado Lounge Foyer

Break

10:15am MDT

Associate Speed Networking

Thursday October 24, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am MDT

Alpine Ballroom

Meet industry suppliers in quick 5 minute meetings.

Thursday October 24, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
Alpine Ballroom

General Session

11:15am MDT

Break

Thursday October 24, 2024 11:15am - 11:30am MDT

Colorado Lounge Foyer

Thursday October 24, 2024 11:15am - 11:30am MDT
Colorado Lounge Foyer

Break

11:30am MDT

Choosing Business Contentment over Business Growth

Thursday October 24, 2024 11:30am - 12:15pm MDT

Conference A Room

What we see on social media often makes us think that our businesses should aspire to exponential growth and virality, without taking into consideration how that intersects with our day-to-day lives and mental health. But what if we can run our businesses from a perspective of seeking contentment by figuring out what it is that we actually want and what is enough?

In this presentation, Brigida Swanson of Yardia will share how she has shifted her mindset and company strategy to focusing on business contentment over business growth. This presentation will focus on four specific connections for defining and creating contentment-based entrepreneurship:

-Deciding what success looks like for you, specifically, by connecting with personal values;
-Breaking free from comparison by getting clear about your inner critic and inner mentor;
-Leaving social media and experimenting with alternate ways to share your products; and
-Centering your ambition around how you want your business to fit within your life, instead of chasing the changes and algorithms created by social media and marketplace platforms.

Using personal examples, reflection exercises, journaling prompts and further resources, Brigida will engage participants in learning how you can integrate contentment into your business using small and sustainable shifts.

Speakers

Brigida Swanson

Owner and Artist, Yardia

Brigida Swanson is a queer, multiracial CHamoru watercolor artist from Seattle, and the one woman show behind her company, Yardia. Formally trained as an artist and educator, she creates watercolor-driven and Pacific Northwest-inspired art, stationery and home goods that help folks... Read More →

Thursday October 24, 2024 11:30am - 12:15pm MDT
Conference A Room

Breakout Session

11:30am MDT

The Art of Licensing Panel

Thursday October 24, 2024 11:30am - 12:15pm MDT

Conference B Room

A panel discussion to answer questions about licensing art. Vicky Barone from A Little Moxie, Carol Dierckes from Crown Point Graphics, and Zachariah Jones from Penny Lane Fine Art, will be discussing the various aspects of licensing from an artist, licensor, and artist licensing group perspective. Come learn about licensing from 3 different perspectives.

Speakers

Renae Lokpez

MHS Licensing & Consulting

Katie Sklenar

Director of Art Licensing, Jewel Branding

Katie Sklenar is the Director of Art Licensing at Jewel Branding. With over a decade of experience at Jewel, she now specializes in artist management, overseeing and expanding internal licensee accounts, and managing a vast collection of art assets. Katie’s expertise in the full... Read More →

Vicky Barone

A Little Moxie, A Little Moxie

Carol Dierckes

Art Director, Crown Point Graphics

Carol Dierckes has been one of the greeting card industry’s leading executives for 2 decades. Carol is known as a critically trusted advisor with her customers, using a keen eye to find art for product design and bring to market. Carol is skilled at using data analytics along with... Read More →

Mike Smith

Owner, Crown Point Graphics

Mike Smith is the owner of Crown Point Graphics. Having entered the Greeting Card industry in 2019, Mike spent 28 years in the print world. Mike is an active member of the GCA and serves on the Membership and Workshop committees.

Thursday October 24, 2024 11:30am - 12:15pm MDT
Conference B Room

Breakout Session

12:15pm MDT

Annual Business Meeting and Lunch

Thursday October 24, 2024 12:15pm - 1:30pm MDT

Upper Mountain View Terrace

Join Andy Meehan, President of GCA, for an overview on the last year and updates on GCA.

Thursday October 24, 2024 12:15pm - 1:30pm MDT
Upper Mountain View Terrace

Food and/or Drink

1:30pm MDT

Update on the Keep US Posted Campaign to Save the Mail

Thursday October 24, 2024 1:30pm - 2:00pm MDT

Upper Mountain View Terrace

Former Rep. Kevin Yoder (R-KS) will review how the Keep US Posted Campaign he leads is mobilizing to save the USPS from the impact of large stamp increases and service declines in recent years. He will discuss how GCA members can get involved to keep the USPS vibrant and sustainable. More than half of all cards sold will be delivered to their intended recipient by the USPS making its success vital to the interests of the greeting Card industry.

Speakers

Kevin Yoder

Keep Us Posted

Kevin served four terms in Congress representing the 3rd District of Kansas. During his time in Congress, he served on the powerful House Appropriations Committee and was appointed Chairman of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security leading efforts in Congress to invest over $50 billion... Read More →

Thursday October 24, 2024 1:30pm - 2:00pm MDT
Upper Mountain View Terrace

General Session

2:00pm MDT

Break

Thursday October 24, 2024 2:00pm - 2:15pm MDT

Colorado Lounge Foyer

Thursday October 24, 2024 2:00pm - 2:15pm MDT
Colorado Lounge Foyer

Break

2:15pm MDT

I’ve Seen the World from Both Sides Now: Perspectives on the USPS Challenge from Both Sides of the Regulatory Divide

Thursday October 24, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT

Conference A Room

Thomas Day is the most recent appointee to the Postal Regulatory Commission. Before joining the commission, he held several senior executive positions with the United States Postal Service over a 35-year career. This experience provides him unique insight among his colleagues on the Commission into the challenges facing the USPS. In addition to his experience in the US Market, he also was the Chairman of the Standards Board at the Universal Postal Union and the Chief Commercial / Chief Financial Officer at the International Post Corporation. His experience extends to the Global Market where the impact of a dynamic market is just as extensive as in the U.S. Commissioner Day will discuss the current state of the USPS and how its operations compare to the way the Postal Service was run during his tenure. He will then discuss the challenges facing the Commission to be an effective regulator for this vital institution, the review process underway to review the rate-setting system, and how stakeholders can best participate in the process.

Speakers

Tom Day

Vice Chairman, Postal Regulatory Commission

Commissioner Thomas G. Day was nominated by President Joseph Biden and confirmed by the United States Senate on September 28, 2023, for the remainder of a six-year term that expires October 14, 2028. Mr. Day served 45 years in the federal government in both the US Army and the US... Read More →

Thursday October 24, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
Conference A Room

Breakout Session

2:15pm MDT

Nurturing Wholesale Accounts Panel

Thursday October 24, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT

Conference B Room

We spend a lot of time talking about acquiring new retailers but what about our current accounts? Join us in this session to chat with larger and smaller companies about how they nurture and maintain their wholesale accounts.

Speakers

Lauren Miele

Owner, KushKards

Tom Shoaf

Principal, Biely & Shoaf

Dave Phipps

Communications Manager, Avanti Press

Kate Murray

Owner, Quick Brown Fox Letterpress

Kate Murray is the owner and designer of Quick Brown Fox Letterpress. She creates quirky, pun filled cards all printed by hand in her studio in the Hudson Valley.

Thursday October 24, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
Conference B Room

Breakout Session

3:15pm MDT

Break

Thursday October 24, 2024 3:15pm - 3:30pm MDT

Colorado Lounge Foyer

Thursday October 24, 2024 3:15pm - 3:30pm MDT
Colorado Lounge Foyer

Break

3:30pm MDT

Retreat Activity with Aaron Draplin

Thursday October 24, 2024 3:30pm - 4:30pm MDT

Alpine Ballroom

Aaron Draplin returns for a retreat session that gets everyone involved! To start, everyone will get a Field Notes memo book and a pencil. Aaron will start off by explaining how he does what he does, his process and show a couple examples of logo projects. Attendees will get to play a bit, surprise themselves and then Aaron will bring a couple sketches to life in real time. Finally, Aaron will go behind the scenes and answer any questions you might have about what he does, sharing anecdotes from projects from his practice.

Speakers

Aaron Draplin

Field Notes

Thursday October 24, 2024 3:30pm - 4:30pm MDT
Alpine Ballroom

Retreat

4:30pm MDT

Associate Happy Hour

Thursday October 24, 2024 4:30pm - 5:30pm MDT

Colorado Lounge Foyer

Join our Associate members for a happy hour where you can ask questions and network with fellow industry members!

Thursday October 24, 2024 4:30pm - 5:30pm MDT
Colorado Lounge Foyer

Reception/Networking

6:00pm MDT

Dine Around

Thursday October 24, 2024 6:00pm - 8:00pm MDT

The Inverness Denver

All attendees will be split up into smaller groups made up of Board members, committee members, first timers, and more. You'll get your assignment when you arrive!

Thursday October 24, 2024 6:00pm - 8:00pm MDT
The Inverness Denver

Food and/or Drink

8:00pm MDT

Late Night Networking

Thursday October 24, 2024 8:00pm - 10:00pm MDT

The Inverness Denver

Optional, self-pay, but a great opportunity to continue conversations!

Thursday October 24, 2024 8:00pm - 10:00pm MDT
The Inverness Denver

Food and/or Drink

7:30am MDT

Retreat Activity: Silent Book Club

Friday October 25, 2024 7:30am - 8:00am MDT

The Inverness Denver

Bring your book to hang out with fellow readers! We'll meet in the lobby of the hotel and have some quiet time to enjoy reading before the day kicks off. No assigned book, bring what you want!

Friday October 25, 2024 7:30am - 8:00am MDT
The Inverness Denver

Retreat

8:00am MDT

Coffee/Tea Service

Friday October 25, 2024 8:00am - 8:30am MDT

Colorado Lounge Foyer

Friday October 25, 2024 8:00am - 8:30am MDT
Colorado Lounge Foyer

Food and/or Drink

8:00am MDT

Registration Open

Friday October 25, 2024 8:00am - 1:00pm MDT

Colorado Lounge Foyer

Friday October 25, 2024 8:00am - 1:00pm MDT
Colorado Lounge Foyer

8:30am MDT

Retail Trends and Product Curation Panel

Friday October 25, 2024 8:30am - 9:30am MDT

Alpine Ballroom

Mary Beth Sibert, Director, Creative & Artist Relations at American Greetings moderates this panel of savvy entrepreneur-minded panelists. Wonder what buyers and retailers are looking for when they are shopping for new product? How do each of the panelists look at trends while staying true to their brand/retail store or clients & customers? What are they looking for when purchasing cards/social expression product? This panel will answer all these questions and more!

Speakers

Jennings Brody

Owner and Founder, Parker & Otis, Chet Miller, Tiny and Parker Paper

Sally Caple-Diguette

Associate Buyer, Anthropologie

Sally is an innovative merchant and consultant living in Philadelphia. Centered around relationship building and creative strategy, she combines unique product development and sourcing from national brands across various categories to build cohesive and compelling product assortments... Read More →

Victoria Venturi

Owner and Founder, Paper Epiphanies

Victoria Venturi is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Paper Epiphanies, The Coolest Card Store inThe World™. In just ten years, Victoria has grown Paper Epiphanies from an idea to a global brand. At theage of 29, Victoria entered an already saturated industry dominated... Read More →

Mary Beth Sibert

Director, New Product Development, American Greetings

Friday October 25, 2024 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
Alpine Ballroom

General Session

9:30am MDT

Break

Friday October 25, 2024 9:30am - 9:45am MDT

Colorado Lounge Foyer

Friday October 25, 2024 9:30am - 9:45am MDT
Colorado Lounge Foyer

9:45am MDT

ChatGPT 101

Friday October 25, 2024 9:45am - 10:45am MDT

Conference A Room

Don't be afraid of AI! Unlock the potential of ChatGPT to streamline your business operations and enhance customer engagement. This workshop will provide practical insights and real-world examples on integrating AI-driven solutions for efficient, innovative workflows.

Speakers

Natasha Irizzary

Director of Sales & Marketing, KushKards

Natasha has dedicated her career to transforming ideas into exceptional products and apps, scaling industry giants like Ally Bank and OkCupid with the power of data. As a UX Strategist and conversion rate optimization expert, she excels at turning user insights into delightful, high-converting... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Conference A Room

Breakout Session

9:45am MDT

Using Artistic Activism to Deepen Purpose and Meaning Panel

Friday October 25, 2024 9:45am - 10:45am MDT

Conference B Room

As greeting card designers, we have the power to bring visual design and written messages together with causes we are passionate about to deepen the purpose and meaning behind our work. Artistic activism merges creativity, imagination, and cultural expression to raise awareness, inspire action, or provoke dialogue on critical issues. In this panel discussion, you’ll hear from makers about how they’ve created art that connects people through shared experiences, helps people express complicated feelings and ideas, and engages, enchants, and invites participation to advance causes. You’ll also hear about the responses they’ve received from customers, including how they found parallel audiences that elevated their brands. You’ll walk away with inspiration and understand how creativity, culture, and the arts are powerful forces that anyone can leverage.Using Artistic Activism to Deepen Purpose and Meaning Panel

Speakers

Jan Golden

Age-Friendly Vibes

Katelyn Woolley

The Noble Paperie

Melisa Beveridge

Woollybear Travels

I am a Registered Veterinary Technician and an artist on a mission to make the world a better place for orphaned, injured, and rescued animals. Through Woollybear Travels, I visit animal sanctuaries to meet—and hopefully snuggle—new animal friends and learn their stories. I write... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Conference B Room

Breakout Session

10:45am MDT

Brunch & Let's Talk S'more About Greeting Cards With Industry Veterans

Friday October 25, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm MDT

Upper Mountain View Terrace

Enjoy brunch and conversations with industry veterans in small groups.

Friday October 25, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm MDT
Upper Mountain View Terrace

Food and/or Drink

12:00pm MDT

Closing Keynote

Friday October 25, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm MDT

Alpine Ballroom

Speakers

Nick Anderson

CEO, Leanin' Tree

Nick Anderson started his career at Target Headquarters, then earned an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. He worked in M&A investment banking at BofA Merrill Lynch, then left banking to become a General Manager early on at Uber. Nick also worked on the Strategy & Corporate... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm MDT
Alpine Ballroom

General Session