Apr 27, 2010

Phase One of 3-Year Strategic Plan Unveiled at Summer NYIGF

White Plains, NY — Three key components of a three-year “Focus Forward NYIGF 2013” strategic plan will be implemented in time for the August 2010 New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®), with the introduction of a new Baby & Child division, the return of New York’s Newest, the reorganization of Handmade® into two distinct categories – Handmade Designer Makerand Handmade Global Design and first-time use of the new Javits Center North exhibit hall. NYIGF will present some 2,800 exhibitors – from August 14 through 19 – at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 & 94 – as well as a full complement of market week seminars, events, displays and promotions for participants.

“These exciting changes mark the start of NYIGF’s evolution into the defining marketplace for fashion-forward and design-driven home, gift and lifestyle resources,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “As part of our three year strategic plan, buyers can more easily source and shop a depth and breadth of complementary categories.”

Baby & Child, a new jury-selected specialty products division, will debut at the summer 2010 NYIGF, with a comprehensive collection of well-designed, sophisticated and purpose-driven products for children 0-10. The division includes a strong assortment of quality suppliers, including leading brands relocating into Baby & Child from other NYIGF divisions, an influx of companies returning to the market to be part of this focused presentation and first-time participation by exciting new lines. The category mix features wearables, accessories, toys, books, games, gear and furnishings.

New York’s Newest will return to the Fair this summer at Pier 92, presenting some 200 exhibiting companies – across all product categories. Participants include established resources participating for the first-time in NYIGF, as well as young companies making their gift market debut. Among the trend-focused lines expected are eco-friendly products, fair-trade products, pet products and personal accessories such as jewelry and bags.

Handmade, an extensive, juried selection of cross-category handcrafted items, celebrates its 25th anniversary this summer with a notable increase in the quality and quantity of participating artisans. The creation of two separate collections, Handmade Designer Maker and Handmade Global Design, classifies artisans by process and provenance with renewed focus on superior design and craftsmanship. Global Design features 200 international resources that combine sophisticated design with traditional artisanal techniques; and Designer Maker showcases 360 limited-production makers – across all categories and in all media – from around the world. Handmade Designer Makerwill make its debut in the new Javits Center North, a purpose-built 40,000-square foot exhibit space, with a ribbon-cutting and cocktail reception on Saturday, August 14.

Among highlights of NYIGF’s other seven division are: expansion of Accent on Tabletop showcase area within Tabletop & Housewares; continued refinement of “neighborhoods” and expansion of the German and Japanese pavilions within General Gift; the return of leading design resources (such as Alessi, ASA and Stelton) and the expansion of “Accent on Japan” in Accent on Design®, as well as first-time participation by JOIN Seattle in A+™: The Young Designers’ Platform; expansion of hard lines for home within At Home at Pier 94 and further consolidation of soft goods within At Home featuring Home Textiles at the Javits Center; and an increased number of personal care, beauty and cosmetics suppliers within EX∙TRACTS®.

Beyond exhibits, a comprehensive schedule of educational seminars and industry events will add value to the summer market experience. The program includes nearly 20 instructive sessions, addressing topics as varied as social media, trends in gift, home and color, sustainability and retail strategies. (NOTE: A schedule of events/seminars follows, and is available to press atwww.nyigf.com/programs.)

Onsite and after-hours networking functions include the Handmade 25th Anniversary Celebration, the 59th Annual Retailer Excellence Awards and “A Night on Broadway,” featuring specially-priced ticket to the THE ADDAMS FAMILY. Additionally, through the cooperation of NYIGF and New York City’s permanent showrooms, New York Market participants can visit the Brooklyn Museum for free at any time from Friday, August 13, through Thursday, August 20. For complete information and registration, visit www.nyigf.com/programs.

NYIGF’s SustainAbility: design for a better world® display will return in 2010 to feature hundreds of “green” gift and home products. Through a careful vetting process, the display exclusively showcases eco-friendly products or production processes and socially responsible business practices, with “Zero Tolerance” for VOC; lead (for baby, children and food-related products); PVC, without recommendation for use and disposal, and unless repurposed; and aniline dyes, formaldehyde, chlorine (for textiles).

NYIGF will spotlight product innovation through several award presentations during the market – with top honors bestowed by trade and consumer editors, bloggers and industry experts, as well as open voting by all NYIGF participants. For the first time this summer, NYIGF also will bestow a”People’s Choice” and “Designer Distinction Award” to participants in the Gift For Life Product Design Competition benefiting DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS.

NYIGF is the nation’s premier gift, home and lifestyle marketplace, with 2,800 exhibiting companies featuring an extraordinary breadth and depth of design-driven home fashion products and complementary giftware. Some 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 85 countries worldwide are expected. Information and registration is available online at www.nyigf.com.

The summer 2010 NYIGF runs Saturday, August 14, through Thursday, August 19, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 & 94. Pier exhibits (New York’s Newest at Pier 92 and At Home at Pier 94) as well as select divisions at the Javits Center (Baby & Child, Handmade® Designer Maker and Handmade® Global Design), run Saturday, August 14, through Wednesday, August 18. All other divisions (Accent on Design® featuring A+™: The Young Designers’ Platform, At Home featuring Home Textiles, EX∙TRACTS®, General Gift featuring Floral & Garden Accessories and The Museum Source®, Personal Accessories featuring Details®, Studio and Tabletop & Housewares featuring Accent on Tabletop) run Sunday, August 15, through Thursday, August 19, at the Javits Center.