NYIGF Offers Monthly Series of Exhibitor Training Sessions
White Plains, NY – A monthly series of “Market Readiness” seminars will begin in May for exhibitors participating in the summer 2010 edition of the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®). The series, which includes four webinars, as well as one at-market session, reflects continued efforts by NYIGF to support the success of its exhibitors. The content of the seminars covers strategies to best prepare for NYIGF, maximize on-site sales opportunities and post-show follow up.
The webinars will be produced jointly by NYIGF and Right Angle Strategies, a business strategy and coaching consultancy lead by gift and home industry veterans Stu Teller and Laura Blunt. As an added benefit, Right Angle Strategies will offer all webinar and seminar participants free, in-booth 15-minute business consultations during the Fair.
“NYIGF’s Market Readiness program covers essential basics, as well as advanced strategies, which companies can use to maximize their investment in the market,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “It’s easy for our customers to dial-in and log-on for valuable first-hand advice from veteran experts.”
The first three pre-show webinars will focus on pre-show marketing, sales techniques and tradeshow operations; and the fourth and final webinar, which will be held post-show, will address market follow-up. The cost per webinar is $10, unless otherwise noted, and registration is available online at http://www.nyigf.com/Exhibitors/PreShowPromotion/ExhibitorEducation.aspx.
The first session, “Pre-show Marketing to Drive Your Sales,” will be lead by Right Angle Strategies and PR expert Cathy Steel of Steel Associates. Topics will include pre-show direct marketing, advertising and public relations, telemarketing, onsite promotions and give-aways. It will take place Thursday, May 20, from 2:00 – 3:30 pm.
The second pre-show webinar, “How to Attract Buyers and Close the Sale,” will address creating captivating booth space, buyer interaction, and techniques to close the sale and obtain leads. It will take place Thursday, June 17, from 2:00pm – 3:30 pm.
The third pre-show webinar, “NYIGF Operations Made Easy,” will be produced by GLM and offered to NYIGF exhibitors at no cost to participants. GLM’s Operations staff will review the NYIGF set-up manual, addressing time-saving pre-show operations, set-up specifics and break-down instructions. It will take place Thursday, July 15, from 2:00 – 3:30 pm.
The final, post-show webinar, “How to Manage Orders and Leads Generated,” is scheduled for the week after NYIGF, on Thursday, August 26, from 2:00 – 3:30 pm. Right Angle Strategies will discuss closing sales, following up on leads, order and payment processing, and working with sales agencies. In addition, Adam Schrier of Whereoware.com will offer tips for maximizing post-show leads through the NYIGF Online Catalog Gallery.
The at-market session, “Ask the Experts – Business Strategies for Gift & Home Suppliers” is scheduled for Wednesday, August 18, from 8:00 – 9:00 am, at the Javits Center. This informal and open forum exploration of business challenges and untapped opportunities will be lead by Right Angle Strategies, Adam Schrier of Whereoware.com, and Michael Lamarti of CRAFT Marketing. Seminar participants will be able to ask business-specific questions, and leave with actionable answers and informed advice from this panel which has over 50 years combined experience in the gift and home decor industry. This session costs $20 in advance and $25 onsite.
As an added bonus, Right Angle Strategies will offer free 15-minute consultations, available on a first-come-first-serve appointment basis, to all webinar and seminar participants. These one-on-one sessions will be conducted booth-to-booth at NYIGF during summer market. Information about Right Angle Strategies is available online at www.rightanglestrategies.com.
The summer edition of NYIGF takes place Saturday, August 14, through Thursday, August 19, 2010, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94.
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.
