Passionate Paper People

It's after 11 p.m. and I'm finally back to my hotel room after a very productive, interesting and inspiring day at the National Stationery Show. The show floor was abuzz with activity: buyers buying, sellers selling and old friends meeting back up -- many it's the first time they've had a chance to catch up since last year's show. It's always a fun experience to walk the show floor and put a face to a name you've only seen in e-mail or a voice you've only heard on the phone. It's also fun to hear what's new and exciting.

My job during NSS is to cover the show for Stationery Today, the NSS daily publication. Robin McMurray (our creative director) and I walked the trade show floor with one goal in mind: Find out what the buzz is about. What are people talking about? What do buyers want? What to exhibitors see? There is, as always, a lot to see at this year's NSS. Despite any concerns about economic uncertainty, there was positivity in the air. Retailers were happy to be walking the show floor and picking out just the perfect product that will excite their customers. I spoke with several retailers who were happy to be at NSS -- many for the first time -- and amid the crowd of passionate paper people. Exhibitors shared similar stories of buyers visiting their booths and wanting to buy. These exhibitors were eager to visit with retailers and find out exactly what they want -- what drives their business and what their customers want to buy.

In addition to the business being done on the show floor, there were many learning opportunities for NSS attendees today. One such opportunity was the seminar given by Sarah Schwartz, Stationery Trends' editor, on the top trends for 2009. I don't want to give away too much because you can still hear her seminar if you missed it: It will be offered again tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. You can buy tickets at the door -- but hurry, today's seminar was standing-room only. Sarah talked about the colors that are going to be hot this year -- among them purple, yellow and orange. She also spoke of the way "green" is headed -- it's not enough that a product simply be eco-friendly anymore. It has to speak to consumers, fill a niche and provide something fun and novel. The "green" label, alone, won't immediately mean a product will sell. If you can't make it to Sarah's seminar -- or you're reading this away from NSS, be sure to check out my article in Stationery Today (which will be posted at www.stationerytoday.stationerytrendsmag.com after NSS) and future issues of Stationery Trends, where I know Sarah has some super trends coverage planned.

One of my favorite parts of NSS is being able to walk around with Patti Stracher, NSS show manager, when she hands out the Best New Product Awards. To see the true pride and joy the winners display when they find out they've been recognized is truly an honor. I enjoy being a part of this special day for people. This year's winners are:

Think Green — Jacki Paper, booth #1936
Party — ThemeNaps, booth #2266
Social Stationery — C. R. Gibson, booth #2840
Desk Accessories — Woodessen, booth #3167
Lifestyle & Specialty Gift — Kookie Stationery, booth #3351
Paper Craft & Scrapbooking — Simply Renee, booth #3369
Luxury — Designers’ Fine Press, design by Margot Madison, booth #3427

It's nearly midnight now, and I have an early morning -- and a busy day -- ahead of me. I'm eager to share some of my NSS photos with you tomorrow morning, so be sure to check back to see what's happening on the show floor and some of the fun, new products exhibitors are showcasing. And, I'd be remiss if I forgot to remind you to stop by the Stationery Trends booth and renew your subscription (only $10 if you subscribe during NSS) and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $500 Tiffany & Co. gift card. Plus, we're giving away some fun orange and pink tote bags (the color combination is another trend mentioned by Sarah in her seminar) to the first 500 people who renew their subscription.

- By Kimberly Warren, Great American Publishing