News

Amy McAnarney, vice president/general manager at Hallmark Cards, was named president of the Greeting Card Association (GCA) following the organization’s 2021 Annual Workshop & Retreat. McAnarney previously served as vice president and treasurer of the association under GCA President George White, general manager, consumer products group at C.M. Paula Group, who provided excellent leadership during his two-year term.

As GCA president for 2021-2023, McAnarney will lead the association’s executive committee and board of directors. She will provide strategic guidance for all aspects of the GCA’s affairs, including signature annual events such as *Noted: The Greeting Card Expo, the Louie Awards competition recognizing outstanding greeting cards, and the annual educational Workshop & Retreat. She becomes the GCA’s fifth woman president in its 80-year history.

“I am honored to be appointed president of the Greeting Card Association at this exciting point in its history as we continue to evolve and grow to reflect the many voices that comprise this one, strong community,” stated McAnarney. “Not only am I looking forward to our continued advocacy work through our engagement with the U.S. Postal Service and members of Congress, but I also share in the excitement of our members as we plan to come together in-person this year to continue our advancement of this industry.”

In the coming year, the association leadership plans to focus on a return to in-person events that were cancelled in both 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic. “Safely returning to in-person events is so important to the vibrancy of this industry,” Nora Weiser, executive director for GCA, said. “Card publishers and buyers want to reconnect face-to-face and get back to the interactive, tangible aspect of which cards are an integral part.”

The industry will have a chance to do so April 28-29, 2022 at the Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture in San Francisco when GCA holds its annual event, *Noted: The Greeting Card Expo. This premier event will be co-located with ‘San Francisco NOW’, a new west coast gift market trade show from Emerald Exposition.

Since 2015, McAnarney has worked at the Kansas City-based Hallmark Cards, Inc., where she currently serves as vice president/general manager, strategic accounts and business development.