GCA Annual Conference and AGM

Last Updated Conference and AGM, GCA Events
BOOK NOW!

Sep

24

2026 GCA Conference & AGM

2026 GCA Conference & AGM

24 September 2026 - 24 September 2026

Unity Place

GCA

Planning your visit to the GCA Conference & AGM at Unity Place, Milton Keynes. We’ve put together some useful information to help you book accommodation and find your way around the...
Read More


The 2026 annual GCA Conference and AGM will be held on Thursday 24th September 2026 at Unity Place in Milton Keynes. Tickets are now on sale.

Please book your ticket now to secure your place. Early bird ticket prices end on 9th June 2026!

Keep checking back as more speakers will be announced shortly.

2026 Conference Speakers;

Cydney Ball, John Lewis, Buying Manager

A major retail name has joined our conference lineup. We’re delighted to welcome Cydney Ball, Buying Manager at John Lewis, as a speaker at the GCA Conference. While presentation details are still tightly under wraps, this presentation promises valuable insight from one of the UK’s most recognised and trusted retailers. More details coming soon.

How did I end up here? – A potted history of Dean Morris Cards

Since founding Dean Morris Cards in 1999, Dean Morris has built a bold and unmistakable brand rooted in humour and creative freedom. A fine art graduate by background, Dean has spent nearly three decades challenging convention and creating cards that are designed to make people laugh.
In his talk, Dean will share the story so far — from early beginnings to building a standout brand in the greeting card industry.

What Retailers Want: Trends and Getting Stocked? Retail Panel, chaired by Mark Callaby, Ohh Deer

We are thrilled to announce that GCA Vice President Mark Callaby will chair a special retail panel at this year’s conference. Mark will be joined by an exciting and varied line‑up of retailers, including Jo (No 14, Ampthill), Tanya Rounding, Ross Lasseter (Tesco) and Louise Cambridge (Stamp), who will share insights on emerging trends, what they’re looking for from publishers and suppliers, and practical advice on how to get your products stocked in retail spaces.
This session is a fantastic opportunity to hear directly from buyers across both indie and multiple retail and gain real‑world guidance to help strengthen your retail strategy.

The Generation Game – Seth Woodmansterne, Woodmansterne Publications

Seth will take us on an engaging journey through the highs and lows of the last 75 years at the third-generation family publishing business.

Care & Compassion: How Card Messages Are Evolving with Society, Sarah-Jane Porter – Moonpig

As Head of the GCA Diversity & Inclusion Sub‑committee, Sarah‑Jane Porter will explore how greeting card messages are evolving to reflect a more diverse, inclusive and emotionally aware society.

Consumer Insights 2026 and Beyond, Jon Hendy – Business Unit Director, Kantar

Kantar are kindly back by popular demand! Jon Hendy heads up the team that delivers General Merchandise insight to Retail clients at Kantar, including the major grocers and specialists.  Jon’s team covers Cards, Party and Gifting. Jon has worked in market research for nearly 30 years, the last 10 with Kantar, and has worked regularly with many of the UK’s biggest FMCG and GM companies. He will be sharing an insight into the consumers of 2026 and changes that Kantar are seeing in buying habits.

Lessons from 40 Years in Cards, Amanda Fergusson, GCA CEO

GCA CEO Amanda Fergusson looks back on her journey, sharing the things she wishes she’d known earlier and insights that shaped her career.

About the Annual GCA Conference and AGM

The GCA’s annual Conference & AGM is a great opportunity to meet others, listen to inspirational speakers and learn about and discuss the key topics affecting our industry.

GCA Conferences move around the country each year to ensure that they are accessible to all 500+ GCA members. They are a key opportunity to keep up to date with what’s happening in the industry and learn from others. There is always lots of time to meet new colleagues and catch up with industry friends; we start the day with a networking coffee, with further opportunities to chat over a late morning coffee and lunch. Members from new and small businesses through to the industry leaders attend each year, including retailers, publishers and recommended specialist suppliers.

Each year we have an exciting line-up of speakers who cover the current key issues for the greeting card industry and share their business experiences. We also share the latest industry market research.

The day will include updates on GCA activities to promote and protect our wonderful industry, initiatives to support you and your business, and lots of marketing ideas.

The AGM part of the day includes updates on the activity of the GCA Council. The Council are responsible for general oversight of the management of the GCA, and focus on policy matters that affect members and our industry. The Council includes members with key skills and experience to enable us to effectively run the GCA in line with our stated objectives.

In recent years the GCA Conference has visited London, Manchester, Nottingham, Leeds and Bristol.

Sep

24

2026 GCA Conference & AGM

2026 GCA Conference & AGM

24 September 2026 - 24 September 2026

Unity Place

GCA

Planning your visit to the GCA Conference & AGM at Unity Place, Milton Keynes. We’ve put together some useful information to help you book accommodation and find your way around the...
Read More

Don’t Miss Out: Woodmansterne Pre-Conference Drinks Event!

Woodmansterne are kindly sponsoring industry drinks the night before the conference on Wednesday 23rd September, at The Residence Bar at The Hub in Milton Keynes – just a 5-minute walk from MK Central station and right next to The Moxy Hotel.

Drinks will run from 5:45pm to 7:45pm, with guests welcome to stay on afterwards if they wish. Food will also be available to purchase at the venue for anyone wishing to book a table to eat.

Previous Conference Reports

Sponsor the 2026 GCA Conference and AGM

Posted on

SUPPLIER MEMBERS ONLY. Sponsoring the GCA Conference is a great way to get involved in the industry, get noticed by GCA members and promote your business, products and services.

2024 Conference and AGM – Bristol

Posted on
GCA members came together in Bristol for the annual GCA Conference and AGM on 19th September 2024. The Conference celebrated our wonderful industry, discussed key industry issues and heard from…

Further Information

Latest updates from the GCA