More Than A Number

Sending birthday cards and other paper greetings through the mail for special occasions has become a treasured tradition over the years. Walking down the aisles of a store to peruse the selection of cards or displaying holiday greeting on the mantle are staples of the holiday season. But did you know that card makers and other associated manufacturers have their own trade organization?

Manufacturers of greeting cards, stationary, and wrapping paper in the United States have their interests represented by the trade organization known as The Greeting Card Association. The organization dates all the way back to 1941 and actually has its origins in a WWII War Department order to reduce the usage of paper by 25%. George Burkhardt, of the company Burkhardt-Warner, lead this small collection of card owners during this period. After the war ended, the Association shifted priorities to promoting the use of thank you cards and other greeting cards by the general public, as well as relevant postal affairs.

The headquarters of the Association are in Washington D.C. While the majority of members are U.S. companies that manufacture funny birthday cards and more, companies from abroad are permitted entry as well. The Association even has its own awards that it sponsors annually, held each May in the city of New York. The LOUIE Awards exist to celebrate the best designs in the greeting card industry.