GLM creates face-to-face and online buying, selling and networking platforms for designers, product developers, manufacturers, reps, retailers and operators through tradeshow and event production, online community development and association management.

The company was founded in 1924, and acquired by Providence Equity Partners, in October 2011. The executive team includes Chief Executive Officer Charles McCurdy; Chief Financial Officer/Chief Administrative Officer Doug Smith; Chief Digital Officer Jason Brown; Chief Information Officer Michael Clapperton; and Senior Vice Presidents Christian Falkenberg, Kevin O'Keefe and Roy Turner. GLM employs some 120 people, with offices in White Plains, NY, Atlanta, GA, Chicago, IL, Naples, FL, San Clemente, CA and Fort Collins, CO.


Tradeshow and Event Production

GLM currently produces 22 tradeshows, serving industries as diverse as giftware, home furnishings, social stationery, home textiles, tabletop, gourmet housewares, contemporary furniture, personal care, art & design, antique jewelry, beach, board sports, fashion, hospitality and e-commerce. Annually, these events showcase some 11,000 exhibitors in 1.8 million net square feet of exhibit space, and attract approximately 150,000 attendees.

Outside of the trade arena, the company's Soiffer Haskin division organizes private sales for luxury goods manufacturers and retailers. Established in 1982 and acquired by GLM in 1998, Soiffer Haskin currently conducts 40 private sales annually, for clients including Hermes, Mikimoto, Bulgari, Tourneau, Loro Piana, Pratesi, Valentino, Max Mara, Ralph Lauren Home, Hugo Boss and Hickey Freeman, with a customer base totaling 125,000.
 

Online Community Development

NY NOW, National Stationery Show and Surf Expo feature online catalog galleries – paid marketing opportunities through which exhibitors upload product catalogs. Online catalogs help participants increase awareness before, during and after tradeshows. Since 2008, nearly 1,500 catalogs have been posted, generating 47,800 leads and more than 25 million page views.

 

Association Management

In 2010, GLM became the new trade association management company of the Greeting Card Association (GCA), the US-based trade organization representing greeting card and stationery publishers, and allied members of the industry. GLM's management role includes oversight over all administrative functions, GCA regulatory and legislative issues, public relations, membership development, meetings and convention planning and execution and financial matters.