London Card Show Lands Double Nomination In The Growing Business Awards 2024

The 27th annual awards will be presented on 26 November in London

[London, August, 2024]: On 23 July, the Growing Business Awards named the London Card Show amongst the shortlisted candidates in the ‘Family Owned Business of the Year’ and ‘Customer Experience and Loyalty Award – Small Business’ categories for 2024. Now in their 27th year, the Growing Business Awards are the most credible and highly valued recognition of exceptional growing businesses in the UK. Previous winners include Ella’s Kitchen, Fever-Tree, Moneysupermarket.com, Ovo Energy, Zoopla Property Group, and many more.

Harry Reynolds, Founder and CEO of the London Card Show, says "We are thrilled to be recognised in these prestigious categories. Our journey has been driven by a deep passion for card collecting and a commitment to creating unforgettable experiences for our community. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team."

Since 1998, the Growing Business Awards have been bringing together and honouring some of the UK’s most outstanding entrepreneurs and high-growth businesses. Finalists in this year’s awards will attend an interview with a panel of judges – leading figures from the UK SME community – at the judging day in September. The awards will be presented at a prestigious ceremony on 26 November at London’s Hilton Bankside hotel.

Founded in 2021, the London Card Show was set up with a singular mission: to bring card collectors of all types under one roof. What initially began as a gathering of 10 tables and 40 attendees has since blossomed into a spectacular weekend-long event, attracting over 4,000 enthusiasts from across the globe. Their journey has been ignited by the passion of fans, having recently been crowned the UK’s Card Show of the Year.

In an age dominated by digital interactions, the families are rediscovering the joy of tangible experiences through the timeless hobby of trading cards and at the heart of this thriving community is the London Card Show. Inspired by his father’s encouragement to pursue his passion, Harry, along with his sister Katie Hughes, has transformed the event into Europe’s largest trading card show. Their dedication is evident in the event’s growth and success, bringing together thousands of enthusiasts of all ages.

The London Card Show is also a family-run business, with every member playing a vital role. From their Mum handling the front desk to their sister Lucy managing the tuck shop and merchandise store, and even their Grandparents assisting with setting up tables, it’s a collaborative family effort. Katie’s husband, James Hughes, who is Harry’s brother-in-law, serves as the Marketing Director, further solidifying the family’s involvement in the show’s operations. It's a family truly building a special experience for other families to enjoy.

The passion that Harry and Katie have for the London Card Show has not only driven its success but also strengthened their familial relationships. "It's incredible to see how far we’ve come in such a short amount of time. The passion we both have for this brand has created a rock-solid relationship, and we just work fantastically well together", they said.

The London Card Show returned for its 13th event over the past weekend of August 3rd and 4th, featuring over 600 vendor tables showcasing a wide array of trading cards, including Pokémon, Football, Formula 1, Basketball, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Lorcana, Magic: The Gathering, and One Piece. With the likes of England Football legend David James and Iconic Collectibles Auctioneer Goldin's team in attendance, the event was truly a raring success. One attendee also pulled out a £100,000 Messi & Ronaldo combined card from a card box he only purchased for about £25, which he decided to consign to Goldin for a global auction that will go live on their website in the coming days. This event offers the perfect setting for families, collectibles and card enthusiasts of all ages, to explore new interests, meet like-minded people and build connections through their shared love of trading cards.

For media inquiries or interviews with Founder & CEO Harry Reynolds and COO Katie Hughes, please contact gazal@plus1comms.com.

For more information, visit www.londoncardshow.co.uk.

Ends

Editors notes

Founded in 2021, the London Card Show was set up with a singular mission: to bring card collectors of all types under one roof. What initially began as a gathering of 10 tables and 40 attendees has since blossomed into a spectacular weekend-long event, attracting over 4,000 enthusiasts from across the globe. Their journey has been ignited by the passion of fans, having recently been crowned the UK’s Card Show of the Year!

About Harry Reynolds, Founder & CEO of the London Card Show

Harry Reynolds, a natural-born entrepreneur, embarked on his journey at a young age, continually seeking innovative ways to seize opportunities and bridge market gaps. His passion for trading cards began during university, where he turned a £10 investment into an impressive £10,000 after discovering the value of cards. Harry's YouTube live streams and TikTok presence catapulted him into the UK card community, where he gained recognition for his unique trading card mystery box breaks. With unwavering determination, he pioneered the London Card Show, and saw it evolve from a small gathering to Europe's largest card event. Harry's dedication has led to global recognition, and he remains committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive card community for enthusiasts of all backgrounds.

About Katie Hughes, Chief Operating Officer at the London Card Show

Katie Hughes, driven by a passion for creativity ignited during her school years, found her true calling in the world of marketing. After a marketing degree at university and six rewarding years within Hard Rock Cafe's marketing department, she embarked on a remarkable journey with the London Card Show. Initially unsure of what to expect from the card industry, she quickly fell in love with it. Her marketing strategy thrived on ingenuity, emphasising community engagement over traditional methods and achieving an exceptional 7% engagement rate, far surpassing industry standards. Her dedication and vision were instrumental in propelling the London Card Show to unprecedented success, doubling attendance and vendor tables within a year. Her dedication to her role, her family's support, and her commitment to the event's success have made her an indispensable asset to the London Card Show's remarkable transformation.