Feb 24, 2015

Surtex 2015 Delivers New Creative Designs to License or Buy

Over 6,000 attendees from 49 countries are expected to converge in New York at SURTEX®, the only event of its kind dedicated to the sale and license of original art or design for use in the manufacturing of home goods, bedding, paper products, textiles, toys, calendars, textiles and fabrics. The 29th annual edition, featuring cutting-edge exhibitors from around the world a slate of educational seminars, and plenty of networking opportunities, will take place May 17 – 19, 2015, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Approximately 325 exhibitors from the United States, Europe, Asia and South America, will participate in one of three categories: Art and Brand Licensing with 200 exhibitors licensing design; Atelier with 80 exhibitors selling design; and Resource Hub with 20 exhibitors supplying technology and business essentials. Notable exhibitors include Artwork Design Ltd., Design Works International, Giacomo Barzaghi, LyLove Studio and Marcie Designs, Inc. – in Atelier – and Gerry Murray Designs, Giordano Studios LLC, Roaring Brook Art, Tara Reed Designs, Inc. and Wild Apple Licensing – in Licensing.

For the first time in 2015, the “SURTEX Planner,” a dynamic new web-based planning tool will allow attendees to preview exhibitor designs and information. The Planner also will enable registered buyers to communicate with exhibitors, via private messaging and appointment scheduling capabilities to facilitate preparation for their visit to the show.

“SURTEX has always been the go-to market for design professionals and this year promises to deliver another blockbuster edition,” said Liz Crawford, Vice President and Group Show Director. “Whether you’re a first-time market attendee or a veteran industry professional, SURTEX is the place to discover fresh new design concepts and network with industry peers. Our new online SURTEX Planner will enable exhibitors and attendees to connect and prepare for the show in a new and innovative way, making the show experience even more valuable and efficient for all participants.”

Beyond sourcing and licensing design and art, SURTEX will feature a strong educational component starting with a series of free pre-show webinars to help exhibitors prepare and make the most of this year’s event. During the three-day market, the SURTEX conference program, presented by a slate of experienced industry professionals, will deliver design intelligence and business strategies from a creative perspective in three tracks: CORE, ADVANCED and TREND & BEYOND.

The four presentations in the CORE track will cover the basics of monetizing art, tips on understanding contracts and licensing agreements and how to shop for an agent. The ADVANCED track will take an up-close look at specific design and licensing categories with three seminars focusing on tabletop and home décor; paper, greeting cards and gift; and textiles and home fashions, as well as a seminar for designers on copyright law and art protection. Finally, the TREND AND BEYOND track will deliver strategies for trend-spotting and execution and a boot camp review of art business. In addition, a special trends theater will feature three free thirty-minute sessions every day. SURTEX’s 2015 conference program information and registration is available online at www.surtex.com.

SURTEX’s slate of events will include announcement of the grand prize winner of designext®, an annual international design competition, judged by a panel of industry professionals, which honors art and design students for exceptional surface design work. Attendees and exhibitors also can enjoy networking opportunities at an end-of-day cocktail reception on Monday, May 18, at the Javits Center.

SURTEX is the annual tradeshow for the surface design industry, bringing together owners and creators of surface design (artists, designers, studios, agents, brands and licensors) with manufacturers, retailers and marketers utilizing surface design for product development needs. Since 1986, SURTEX has been the single event and global resource offering the full scope of art selling and licensing under one roof. The 2015 edition, will present some 325 exhibitors featuring the work of over 1,200 artists and designers from around the world. For information and registration, visit www.surtex.com.

Two additional, Emerald Expositions-owned design events – the National Stationery Show® and the ICFF® – will run concurrently with SURTEX at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. One badge will afford attendees and exhibitors access to all three events, generating unique cross-market innovation and inspiration for all Market participants. For information and registration, visit www.emeraldexpositions.com.