Aug 30, 2013

Artisan Resource Increases Quality & Quantity for Summer Market

An increase in both quality and quantity of resources marked the third semi-annual edition of Artisan Resource™, a one-of-a-kind market offering U.S.-based volume importers, direct import retailers and wholesalers the opportunity to meet with international artisanal producers. Artisan Resource ran concurrently with NY NOW®,the Market for Home & Lifestyle (formerly NYIGF®), August 18-20, at New York City’s Passenger Ship Terminal Pier 94.

A total of 100 companies – more than double the amount of the winter 2013 edition – participated in the summer edition, representing 25 countries and 3 continents. Of particular note, were an increased number of country pavilions – from Cambodia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, South Africa, Tunisia and Vietnam – which allowed an exponential number of individual artisans to be represented at market. The Show also recorded attendee growth, with buyers and product developers from major retailers – ABC Carpet & Home, Anthropologie, Canvas, Frontgate, Home Goods, Martha Stewart, National Gallery, National Geographic, Urban Outfitters, Viva Terra and West Elm – in attendance.

“Increases in both the quantity and quality of Artisan Resource exhibitors played a large role in the Show’s success,” said Allison Rober, Artisan Resource sales manager. “Buyers were impressed with the well-curated assortment of product, as well as the impressive booth displays, and the co-location at Pier 94 with NY NOW’s NEW! Collection, offered an additional benefit for buyers who were searching for a breadth of new resources across categories.”

“We met with a diverse group of retailers, and we’re extremely pleased,” said first-time exhibitor Anis Mnif of the Tunisian American Young Professionals (TAYP). “Through a two-year project sponsored by the U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) in partnership with the Tunisian Ministry of Commerce and Handicraft, we were able to bring and represent eight artisans to the show. Each had at least four to five orders from large stores, high-end chains and small boutiques, and some cannot take any more orders because they are at the limits of their production capacities.”

Returning exhibitors credited their success, particularly in terms of re-orders, to the relationships established over the past two editions of the show. Nathalie Tancrede of Artisan Business Network, an exhibitor since the inaugural edition of Artisan Resource, commented, “We have had really good connections with past customers and made new contacts too. We have been able to build great relationships over time, and people now know us and come looking for us here. We are able to create products for our customer needs and price points, which helps us to be competitive with China and India while keeping the essence that reflects the culture of the Haitian people.”

Additional market highlights included the expansion of the “Market Incubator Program,” created through a new partnership between the Alliance for Artisan Enterprise and Artisan Resource. Through the program, 11 artisan enterprises were invited to exhibit in the Artisan Partners@Aspen booth for the first of three consecutive Shows, and received assistance in Show preparation and onsite show operations. Adrienne Chaillé of Green Design Link, a second time participant in Artisan Resource and the Market Incubator Program, said “In our first year, we were exposed to high-end, quality and artisan focused buyers, giving our company the platform necessary to launch. This year, with the Program’s additional support, we were able to present ourselves more solidly to that audience, and we expect that our third participation next winter will allow us independently to generate and maintain the relationships that we have built with critical clients.”

In addition to market activities, Artisan Resource offered a series of well-attended seminars and events. The seminar “Growing the Market for Artisan & Global Handmade Products” was presented in conjunction with the new Alliance for Artisan Enterprise and daily “Importing 101” seminars provided an overview of international business relationships, as well as logistics, vocabulary and responsibilities of both exporter and importer. In addition, the Artisan Resource welcome reception, hosted by GLM, paid special tribute to Clare Brett Smith, founder of Aid to Artisans.

Artisan Resource is managed by GLM and organized with the assistance of ByHand Consulting. Participants are selected based on their products and production capabilities, experience in meeting export demands, and commitment to design innovation, cultural preservation, social enterprise and sustainability. The winter 2014 edition of Artisan Resource will take place Sunday, February 2 – Tuesday, February 4, at the Passenger Ship Terminal Piers, and will run concurrently with NY NOW. Additional information and registration is available online at www.artisanresourceny.com.

The winter 2014 edition of NY NOW, the Market for Home & Lifestyle, will run Saturday, February 1, through Thursday, February 6, 2014, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers. NY NOW’s four comprehensive collections – HOME, LIFESTYLE, HANDMADE and NEW! – will encompass 100,000 products in 400+ product categories. Some 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 80 countries worldwide are expected. Information and registration is available online at www.nynow.com.