Features

June 8, 2023 • Sarah Schwartz
The City by the Bay: Spring show recap photo gallery

Picturesque San Francisco provided a fitting backdrop for *Noted and SF NOW this past April. From the Louie Awards gala on Wednesday evening to the close of the expo Friday afternoon, stellar design and talented paper nerds united to celebrate our humble medium — as well as the people who bring it to vibrant life!

FACES

In April 1906, the General’s Residence at Fort Mason became the center for martial law, relief and security operations following the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire. One hundred and seventeen years later, the historic space made a most sophisticated setting for the 34th Annual Louie Awards.

All photos in this section courtesy of the Greeting Card Association.

From left to right, Notes & Queries owners Vanessa and Alan Harnik celebrate their three Louie Awards with Francie Macica, VP of Sales & Marketing.


Nancy Yusko of Dear Beni strikes a pose with her two Louies.


Incoming Louie Chair Alyson O’Connor of Rust Belt Love shows her Writer of the Year Louie and the baton passed to her by outgoing Louie Chair Kate Murray of Quick Brown Fox Letterpress.


The Up With Paper/UWP Luxe team shows their Louie Award after the presentation.


These talented women serve as the face of the Greeting Card Association and as such, created a seamless experience for attendees and exhibitors alike. Left to right are Endsley Eggert, marketing manager; Mary Fitzgerald, conference director; Nora Weiser, executive director; and Kori Sulewski, membership & program manager.


Calliope Paperie’s Kristina Burkey is the founder of Stationery Store Day, happening this August 5. Here she enjoys the gala with her co-owner husband Rob.


Louise Mulgrew holds up her Artist of the Year Award flanked by Designer Greetings’ Andy Meehan and Nicki Ball, COO, Mary Engelbreit Studios.


Leanin’ Tree’s Susan January was presented the first GCA Leadership Award by her fellow past GCA presidents Carlos Llanso of Legacy Publishing and George White of Up With Paper/UWP Luxe.


Seedlings’ Libby Llanso, left, with Elicia Castaldi of Girl w/Knife.


As the official publication of *Noted, Stationery Trends sponsors the Card of Year in the $5.50 and Below category, so its editor-in-chief, Sarah Schwartz, had the distinct honor of presenting that award, flanked by Kate Murray of Quick Brown Fox Letterpress.

PLACES

With views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alactraz, *Noted and SF NOW offer a drastically different mood and mindset from most wholesale markets. Inside, exhibitors and attendees enjoyed the two-day event’s distinctive programming, to say nothing of stellar greeting card design.

Except where noted, all photos courtesy of Sarah Schwartz.


Sunny weather provided a welcoming backdrop for *Noted and SF NOW.
Photo courtesy of the Greeting Card Association/*Noted: The Greeting Card Expo and SF NOW.


An overview of the show floor. Photo courtesy of the Greeting Card Association/*Noted: The Greeting Card Expo and SF NOW.


Michelle Angement of 417 Press presents to a group of buyers during *Noted’s award-winning Pitch Program. Photo courtesy of the Greeting Card Association/*Noted: The Greeting Card Expo and SF NOW.


The Noted@*Noted Awards (N@*N) display was generously designed and donated by UPC. This image was taken before the winners were revealed. Photo courtesy of the Greeting Card Association/*Noted: The Greeting Card Expo and SF NOW.


N@*N Judge Dan Collier of Daniel Richards Showroom and Archer Paper Goods helped announce winners — as Sarah Schwartz “flipped” them over. Photo courtesy of the Greeting Card Association/*Noted: The Greeting Card Expo and SF NOW.


Attendees were greeted by oversized exhibitor cards, leading right into the Louie Display.


Art prints from Kwohtations.


Stickers from Mirthos Paper.


A card from The Twentieth.


A new foiled design from Sublime & Co.




Stationery Trends Winter 2024
Get one year of Stationery Trends in both print and digital editions for only $15.

Interested in reading the print issue of Stationery Trends?

Subscribe Today »