Jul 24, 2008

Use of NYIGF online catalog skyrockets

WHITE PLAINS, NY – Taking advantage of a sophisticated new Internet planning tool, more than 2,500 qualified leads have been generated from the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) Online Catalog Gallery in advance of the Summer 2008 market. Since going live in April 2008, this newest feature which is available through the NYIGF Web site at www.nyigf.com/catalog, has received more than 1.5 million catalog page views.

Designed to save considerable product sourcing time, the Online Catalog Gallery enables buyers to view product assortments prior to attending the market. A total of 138 exhibitors have loaded their product catalogs into NYIGF’s Online Catalog Gallery, offering retailers access to information about some 50,000+ products that will be featured at the August show. Simply by using a keyword search, retailers can find information specific to their needs and interests.

“The Online Catalog Gallery creates tremendous efficiencies for buyers and exhibitors,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director. “Buyers can source product, set appointments and arrive prepared to place orders. Exhibitors gain valuable exposure before and after the Fair, extending the value of their participation and generating immediate and measurable results.”

Response to this new online planning tool has been overwhelmingly positive from both buyers and exhibitors.

“The Online Catalog Gallery is the next ‘power tool’ for us to connect to buyers,” said exhibitor Sunny Lim of The Homeport. “We already have received leads from potential overseas and domestic buyers who will visit us at the summer show. We definitely made the right decision in being part of this program.”

“We are very pleased with the results of the Online Catalog Gallery, and we continue to receive leads week after week,” added exhibitor Tom Zimmerman of Two’s Company, Inc. “Best of all is that we can tell exactly what each prospective customer was looking for when they were inspired to contact us.”

The Online Catalog Gallery uses the Active Merchandiser technology from Whereoware, enabling individual exhibitors to quickly and easily load their own catalogs directly to the NYIGF website. Exhibitors can change or update their information in real-time making the Online Catalog Gallery the most up-to-date source of product information available.

In addition to the Online Catalog Gallery, nyigf.com also offers a powerful Directory Search feature, which allows users to search for exhibitors by company name, product category, keyword or NYIGF division. This advanced planning tool has been helpful to buyers wishing to pre-plan a shopping strategy which allows them to maximize their time at market.

NYIGF is the nation’s premier gift and home accessory marketplace, with 2,800+ exhibitors featuring an extraordinary breadth and depth of design-driven home fashion products and complementary giftware. Some 38,000 buyers from around the world are expected to attend.

The Summer 2008 market runs August 16-21, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Center, Metropolitan Pavilion and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94. NYIGF is held concurrently with EXTRACTS at the Javits Center and Home Textiles Market Week at NYIGF (at the Javits Center Metropolitan Pavilion and Piers 92 & 94), 230 Fifth Avenue and 7 West 34th Street).

Additional information, free buyer registration and travel discounts are available at www.nyigf.com.