From the President - October 2024

In September, we celebrated Thinking of You Week (TOYW), reminding us how greeting cards continue to touch lives in meaningful ways. Whether it's a quick note of encouragement or a heartfelt message, cards help express what words sometimes can’t.

For TOYW 2024, we aimed even higher with our 7-7-7 Challenge: seven cards to seven people in seven days. Personally, I sent over three dozen cards this year—how about you? Let’s grow that number together in 2025 — consider being a part of the Thinking of You Week Committee and help it grow!**

In addition to TOYW, in September I attended a special event in Philadelphia: the “USPS Ceremony for the First Continental Congress Forever® Stamp.” I had the honor of attending with Sierra Bretz as we celebrated this fitting tribute to the USPS’s historic role, dating back to Ben Franklin, the first Postmaster. Fun fact: the USPS was founded before the Declaration of Independence in 1776!

This ceremony was a reminder of the pivotal role the GCA has played in the USPS’s success. The Forever Stamp—introduced in 2007—exists thanks to the tireless advocacy of long-time GCA members, Rafe Morrisey, and our Legislative Affairs team. Their efforts ensured citizens wouldn’t need to scramble for small increment postage. The creation of the Forever Stamp has been a tremendous success, and we should recognize our association’s contribution to this achievement.

Later in the month, I attended the UK Greeting Card Association’s AGM in Bristol, England. It was very similar to our own Workshop and Retreat. Despite geographic differences, GCA UK and GCA USA face many of the same challenges—shifting consumer behaviors, sustainability demands, and rising postal costs. What inspired me most was how every publisher is finding creative solutions by engaging with the media to garner publicity for their businesses and greeting cards.

Moving forward, let’s build on the successes and continue finding creative ways to connect with people. I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming *Workshop and Retreat*, where we’ll work together to shape a bright future for the greeting card industry.

Warm regards,  

Andy Meehan

President, Greeting Card Association