24 Go West in the New Year! As we head into the Golden Quarter for gifting the team at Giving & Living is looking ahead to one of the first trade sourcing events of 2026, due to take place from 18-20 January at Westpoint, Exeter. For those who enjoy visiting this fabulous independent show – and others who’ve yet to sample the delights of the West Country – we take a sneaky peak at what’s in store. If you're looking for a reason to visit Giving & Living in 2026, why not start with one of the best selections of Designed & made in Britain products you can find at any UK trade exhibition. As the appetite for high quality, locally made British goods continues to get stronger, retailers can differentiate themselves from the crowd by buying British. Unique to Giving & Living is the Coastal Path, a sector devoted to the beautiful British seaside and its countryside environs, which help to bring so much business to the all-important tourist trade. Retailers from all around the UK who hope to stimulate tourism in their region would benefit from the inspiration offered by this vital and vibrant show sector. Bringing together these key elements of the show are the Sustainability Stars, which highlight the vital eco-friendly and ethical credentials that help make our industry a socially, economically and environmentally responsible place. For the 2026 event, Giving & Living will once again be proud to host the Gift of the Year showcase, which brings a fantastic variety of innovative new products to the show floor in Exeter. Old School meets the New Wave For the forthcoming event the show is delighted to welcome back a wonderful cohort of loyal, long-term exhibitors, joined by an exciting wave of companies that are new to Giving & Living in 2026 or returning after an absence of many years. Alongside regulars that include Quay Traders, JBA Souvenirs and Pineapple Island will be Colcards and Becky Bettesworth, both returning after many years, whilst amongst the new exhibitors are Cortina Footwear, Sticky Resin, Stosa, and Zebra Pens. Mike Anderson, MD of the show’s organisers Hale Events, said: “2026 is the year for everyone to pull together and ensure our industry continues to not just survive but thrive. One of the best ways to do this is through smart and savvy product sourcing that will tempt consumers to part with their cash and encourage them to support the stores on their local high streets. This isn’t the time to have the same tired old stock on your shelves, but to take a punt on something fresh – give new makers a chance or try different lines from your preferred suppliers that will inspire shoppers and help keep those tills ringing. Giving & Living is the place to fulfil those needs and we look forward to welcoming visitors from all around the UK to our show in January.” For more information about the show and to register to attend visit the website: givingliving.co.uk. Companies interested in exhibiting can contact Paul on 01934 733433 or apply online: givingliving.co.uk/exhibiting/book-your-stand The Greeting Card Expo to join NY NOW NY NOW has announced the renewal of its strategic partnership with the Greeting Card Association (GCA) to co locate their respective industry leading events in New York City beginning in 2026. The collaboration will debut with GCA’s *Noted The Greeting Card Expo taking place within the NY NOW Winter Market, February 1st to 3rd, 2026, at the Javits Centre, New York. "This partnership brings together the top events in our respective sectors," said Matthew Mathiasen, Show Director of NY NOW. "By aligning with NY NOW, we're creating new opportunities for buyers and exhibitors to connect across product categories. GCA has done remarkable work in making *Noted The Greeting Card Expo the go-to destination for the greeting card and stationery community." Founded in 2019, The Greeting Card Expo is the largest independent gathering of greeting card makers in North America. The event brings together creators, publishers, and retailers to explore new products, spark collaboration, and celebrate the diversity and creativity of the industry. As part of the agreement, the show will feature a dedicated pavilion within the NY NOW Winter Market show floor. Organisers expect the addition to bring 50 to 70 new exhibitors and boost attendance. The show will also serve as an official judging location for the 37th Annual Louie Awards, GCA's prestigious honours recognising outstanding greeting card design. Carlos LLansó, Executive Director of the Greeting Card Association said: "This collaboration strengthens our platform and expands our reach, benefiting our members and the wider creative community. We look forward to launching this new chapter together in February." NY NOW Winter Market 2026 takes place 1st to 3rd February, 2026, at the Javits Centre in New York City.
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