What an unforgettable ride Creativation 2025 turned out to be! It was our very first time showcasing at this incredible industry event, and while the road getting there was far from smooth, the experience was nothing short of priceless.
From the moment we stepped onto the show floor, I was blown away by the energy, the creativity, and the warmth of the community. I had the pleasure of connecting with fellow exhibitors, brilliant retailers, and the most inspiring creative professionals—each person with their own story, their own spark. The exchange of ideas, encouragement, and wisdom was eye-opening. It was more than a trade show—it was a gathering of kindred spirits.
But let me rewind a little and share what it took to get there…
We started our journey from Vancouver, our passenger car packed to the brim with booth display materials, products for demo, and high hopes. But just as we reached the Peace Arch border crossing, we hit a roadblock—literally. The customs officers told us we had to turn back, reroute through the Pacific Crossing commercial lane. Subsequently, we were told to obtain the proper manifest for our booth materials. Suddenly, our journey turned into a crash course in commercial importing regulations. SCAC codes, vehicle registration, customs brokers… things got complicated fast.
In the end, we had no choice but to ship everything via courier—an unexpected and costly decision, but the only way forward. But then came another blow—thanks to some adverse weather, more than half of our booth display was lost in transit and didn’t arrive until the very last day of the show.
But we weren’t alone. I want to give my deepest thanks to Mary and Leah from Namta, who were incredibly supportive and understanding through all the chaos. Their encouragement and kindness during such a stressful time meant the world to me.
It was a test of perseverance, grit, and a whole lot of improvisation!
But despite every hiccup, we made it work. We reimagined the booth, leaned into what we had, and focused on connection over perfection. And guess what? It paid off.
We met amazing new retailers, received an overwhelming amount of support and interest, and came home with a stack of new orders and partnerships to nurture. I truly believe it was our passion, resilience, and genuine enthusiasm that carried us through.
None of it would’ve been possible without my incredible husband and our sweet, helpful son. He was such a trooper through it all, and seeing him take in the excitement of the show filled me with pride.
Here are just a few of many snapshots from our Creativation journey—moments I’ll treasure forever.
To everyone we met—thank you for your kindness, your curiosity, and your support. To my Design Team, thanks for all your amazing card samples for display at the show!
We’re already looking forward to what’s next, and we’re walking away with full hearts and fresh inspiration.
Until next time,
Sharon – Sunbird Spark
