Sep 11, 2007

Exciting Developments Planned for NYIGF in 2008

White Plains, NY – The vibrancy of the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) will increase exponentially with exciting developments in every division and at all locations – including the launch of STUDIOtm, a new lifestyle division at Pier 92, incorporation of EX*TRACTS: New discoveries in beauty and wellness into the Javits Center, expansion of New York’s Newest at the Metropolitan Pavilion and Personal Accessories featuring Details at the Javits Center, and refinements to Accent on Design, At Home, General Gift, Handmade and Tabletop & Housewares. The 154th semi-annual edition will run Friday, February 1, through Wednesday, February 6, 2008, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Metropolitan Pavilion and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94.”

As the industry evolves, so does the New York International Gift Fair,” said Dorothy Belshaw, GLM senior vice president and NYIGF director. “We are committed to keeping NYIGF on the cutting-edge, whether through the addition of new product categories or expansion of existing divisions. This February, we plan a number of changes, new introductions and refinements that make the New York Market a must-attend for buyers and sellers in the gift and home furnishings industries.”

New STUDIOtm Division Presents Lifestyle Products at Pier 92

STUDIOtm, a new juried lifestyle division showcasing a variety of trend-driven, innovative and inspired lifestyle merchandise across all categories – from baby gear to pet products and fine stationery to hip home decor -will debut at Pier 92 in February 2008. STUDIO will present 125 companies, including Agnes & Hoss, Fleurville, Joy by Mel Lim, Petunia Pickle Bottom, Rani Arabella, Snow and Graham, Skip Hop and Two Simmons Studio, in approximately 15,000 net square feet of exhibit space.

According to Belshaw, “STUDIO will present a selective collection of cross-category lifestyle merchandise defined by style and sophistication. Its broad mix of products will reflect a trend-driven and functional aesthetic.”

EX*TRACTS Expands Range of Personal Care Resources Presented at Javits

GLM will broaden the scope of personal care and wellness resources presented at NYIGF by relocating EX*TRACTS: New discoveries in beauty and wellness into the Javits Center from the Metropolitan Pavilion. Current EX*TRACTS exhibitors, as well as personal care resources from other NYIGF divisions will be coalesced in Hall 1A, on Level One at the North end of the Javits Center, alongside NYIGF’s Personal Accessories and At Home divisions. This shift will double the size of EX*TRACTS to feature 150 companies, presenting cosmetics, perfumes, skincare, bath & body care, beauty accessories, hair care, natural/organic products and well-being lines.

According to Belshaw, “This adjacency to fashion accessories as well as mid-to-high-end bed, bath, linen and home accessory products, will offer synergistic buying and selling opportunities for both personal care and home fashions market participants.”

New York’s Newest Expands at Metropolitan Pavilion

New York’s Newest – the launching pad for companies new to NYIGF – will expand to feature 150 companies in some 19,000 net square feet of exhibit space on Levels 1, 4 and 5 of the Metropolitan Pavilion. “There is no shortage of newcomers to the NYIGF,” said Belshaw. “With EX*TRACTS’ relocation to Javits, we can accommodate a larger number of new resources at the Metropolitan Pavilion, making this venue a must-see destination during market.”

Details Expands and Introduces New Look

Mirroring growth in the fashion accessories market, GLM will expand the Details showcase area within NYIGF’s Personal Accessories division to feature 50 companies in 6,600 net square feet of exhibit space. According to Belshaw, “We are moving Details forward on the exhibit floor to a more prominent location, and will introduce a stylized new booth package to enhance and highlight Details’ mix of contemporary and specialty boutique-quality personal accessories.” NYIGF’s Personal Accessories division presents a total of 205 exhibitors, with a full range of wearables, jewelry, fashion accessories, luggage and travel accessories, on Level One of the Javits Center.

At Home Refines Home Textiles at Javits and Expands Outdoor Living at Pier 92

At Home, which is presented at both the Javits Center and Piers, will continue to coalesce its mid-to-high-end home textiles resources at the Javits Center, while extending its hard goods beyond Pier 94 to include Outdoor Living exhibitors at Pier 92. Between the three locations, At Home presents some 500 exhibitors with a full range of soft and hard lines for the home, with At Home featuring Outdoor Living at Pier 92 featuring 75 companies in 15,000 net square feet, and At Home featuring Home Textiles at Javits showcasing more than 100 companies in 25,000 net square feet.

“By shifting our Outdoor Living showcase area under the At Home ‘umbrella,’ we can offer a complete range of indoor/outdoor home furnishings at the Piers,” said Belshaw. “At the same time, we can continue to make a major home textiles statement in At Home at the Javits Center.”

General Gift Expands Kids and Museum Areas; Adds Floral & Garden Showcase

General Gift will continue to develop unique “neighborhoods” on the Javits Center exhibit floor, with continued growth of Just Kidstuff (with 85 companies) and The Museum Source (with 55 companies), and the introduction of a new Floral & Garden Accessories focus area (with 33 companies) in Winter 2008.

“General Gift is NYIGF’s largest division, with 750 exhibitors,” said Belshaw. “By creating these special focus areas within General Gift, we can facilitate category shopping and sourcing for our customers.”

Handmade Adds “Made in the USA” Showcase

In response to increasing demand for American-made items, NYIGF’s Handmade division will introduce a “Made in the USA” showcase area in February 2008. This area, which is comprised of more than 30 exhibitors, will allow retailers seeking US-produced merchandise to more easily source American crafts. Handmade presents a total of 575 juried participants, offering buyers an unparalleled selection of handcrafted items from 35 American states and 13 countries worldwide.

Tabletop & Housewares Expands Luxury Lines

As the luxury market momentum continues, GLM will expand the Tabletop & Housewares division to showcase more luxury tabletop and home entertaining lines as part of its overall product mix. Overall, the division will expand to present a total of 200 companies in 53,000 net square feet of exhibit space.

Accent on Design Introduces “Incubator” Program for Emerging Designers

GLM will introduce an “incubator” program featuring new designers, and showcasing design innovation as part of Accent on Design beginning in February 2008. Participants will present prototypes, as well as finished products.

“The addition of this incubator program will allow Accent on Design to spotlight emerging design talents, alongside established contemporary design resources,” said Belshaw. “For more than 20 years, Accent on Design has been a premier resource for design-led retailers. This new feature will enable attending retailers to continue to push the contemporary design envelope in their merchandise assortments.” Accent on Design presents a dynamic juried collection of 200 contemporary and innovative exhibitors.

NYIGF is the nation’s premier gift and home accessory marketplace, with 2,700 exhibitors featuring an extraordinary breadth and depth of design-driven home fashion products and complementary giftware. NYIGF is held concurrently with EXTRACTS at the Javits Center and Home Textiles Market Week at the Javits Center and Pier 94, 230 Fifth Avenue and 7 West 34th Street. More than 40,000 buyers from around the world are expected to attend. Additional information and registration is available online at nyigf.com.