Time is running out and still so much to sort. PG Live 2013 is only a week away now and preparations for the stand are still need to be done. Bank holiday weekend not helping, typing this looking out at the lovely sunny day 🙁

Anyway, enough of my griping. For all those coming to see us next week we are are on stand 720 in the springboard section.

As part of the continuing preparation for PG Live 2013 we’ve released some brand new cards, and we’re really excited to share them. The brief was to publish bright and colourful general occasion cards, and the result are 10 truly scrumptious-looking cards. We’ve used stock images from sites such as Shutterstock, 123RF and Dreamstime. For this range we moved away from text-based cards and went for high quality photographic images for a slightly kitsch art-card range.

Vanilla Bloom are exhibiting at Progressive Greetings Live 2013 on 14-15th May at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London, so why not come and see us on stand 720 in the springboard section.

We’ve already released two new designs this year, Sweet Graffiti and Collection 6, and will be releasing more before the event. If you would like to see our beautiful collections up close then don’t miss this opportunity, it’s free to attend.

This is our second year at PG Live and we hope it is as much fun as it was last year, meeting the other designers and seeing what they are producing. And of course meeting the buyers and expanding our market place with new customers. Or maybe it’s the after show party 🙂

Sweet Heart
TRS003

Love Hope Dream Believe
CLN608

Happy Birthday
SGR002

Make A Wish
GPC008

Birthday Princess
CDY007

Have A Great Birthday
ORD011

On Your Special Day
GRB010

With Love
BTF006

Birthday Wishes
WHT004

Vanilla Bloom – PG Live stand 2012

Vanilla Bloom exhibited at the PG Live Show for the first time this year and it’s been a massive learning curve. The event was held on 29th & 30th May at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London. The event is billed as the London International Card Show and is aimed at UK and foreign buyers. The Springboard Section is seen as a launch for publishers who are new to the business.

Tips for New Exhibitors:
1. Ensure the location of your stand has maximum exposure to potential buyers.
Even small stands are relatively expensive so you need to maximise your exposure. The Springboard Section is divided into two sections so I would recommend the larger of the two.

2. Fully prepare your stand layout prior to the exhibition, and get as much as possible done in advance.

3. Have a back-up plan for your fixings.
Some exhibitors struggled with this and had to review their stand fixings. If you’re planning to use velcro, but it doesn’t stick to the stand walls then consider a back-up. We originally planned on sticking canvasses to the stand (and a test at home proved successful) but on the day we decided that hooks were a better option and the canvasses were hung from the stand instead.

4. Log details of visitors to your stand.
This could be done via barcode scanning at PG Live, but for a new publisher trying to keep costs down I’d recommend a book in which to attach visitors business cards so you can note the nature of their enquiry and detail any leads on which you intend to follow up on later.

5. Take time to consider any business offers.
You may get approached by agents, printers, distributors and publishers. You may also get licensing enquiries. Identify the direction you wish your business to take, and research any potential business partners fully.

6. Enjoy it.
It’s can be intimidating to exhibit for the first time, but take the time to enjoy the experience as you’ll meet lots of new people. Fellow exhibitors are all very welcoming and everyone is keen to help each other and offer advice.