Jul 13, 2020

GCA hosts Noted Pitch Program for black-owned companies and makers

The Greeting Card Association (GCA) will host its Noted Pitch Program for Black-Owned Companies/Black Makers on July 16, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. E.T. The GCA’s unique Noted Pitch Program offers makers the chance to “pitch” their greeting card line to a panel of the top retailers, sales reps and or international distributors in the industry, plus a large group of retailers online. Each selected maker will have 5 minutes to present their line to the panel, leaving time at the end for questions/comment if desired. The five minute limit is strictly enforced and will go fast but being organized and concise, past Pitchers have made great connections and sales.

“We have been listening, reflecting and learning and… our industry is not racially diverse.  Now it is time for some action. The Noted Community and the GCA are ready to take the first step in making a change,” noted GCA in its statement.

Pitch Panel

This event’s pitch panel will feature:

• Vanessa Raptopoulos – Awesome Brooklyn
• Chandra Greer – Greer Chicago
• Kristina Burkey – Calliope Paperie
• Kyle Williams – Paper Source

Event Details

Retailers and sales representatives are invited to attend and learn more about these talented black makers and to diversify collection offerings.

For Retailers

The cost to attend this event is only $10 and is open to retailers only. Registration is now open.  Five dollars from each ticket sale will go towards a scholarship to award to a maker of color to attend Noted 2021.

Additionally, Faire will create a landing page for all makers on its site to streamline the onboarding process to allow the makers and retailers all of the benefits Faire has to offer.

For Makers

Black-owned companies and makers can submit applications to become one of the nine selected to pitch at the event. Applicants will answer a few questions about their company and submit work samples. GCA will randomly select nine companies to participate in the pitch.

GCA shared that its typical $250 fee to enter the Pitch Program has been covered by the event’s sponsor, so that makers are able to enter at no cost for the event.

“Makers in the community: If you would like to support the event help our community become more diverse, you can make a donation to the scholarship. Just contact the GCA staff for more information. Sorry you can’t join us, but those are the Pitch Program rules, we want all makers to feel comfortable sharing everything that makes their line special,” noted GCA in its statement.

For more information, visit www.greetingcard.org.