Sep 5, 2012

Artisan Resource Makes Successful Debut at Summer NYIGF

Citing success at meeting new contacts, fostering new partnerships and writing new orders, exhibitors participating in the launch of GLM’s new Artisan Resource™ tradeshow were pleased with the inaugural event and eager to return to future editions. Artisanal craft producers representing 17 countries from around the world exhibited at the new tradeshow for U.S.-based volume importers, direct import retailers and wholesalers, which ran concurrently with the summer edition of the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®), August 19-21, at New York City’s Passenger Ship Terminal 92.

Artisan enterprises were selected to participate in Artisan Resource based on their products and production capabilities, experience in meeting export demands and commitment to design innovation, cultural preservation, social enterprise and sustainability. Artisanal craft was sourced from Afghanistan, Bolivia, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Mexico, Mozambique, Nepal, Pakistan, Swaziland and South Africa.

“Artisan Resource gave these artisan enterprises exposure to both a quantity and quality of new buyers in the U.S.,” said Christian Falkenberg, NYIGF director and GLM vice president. “What’s more, it provided volume import buyers access to a world of new artisanal products and production resources, right here in New York City.”

As the first tradeshow of its kind, Artisan Resource was met with satisfaction from participating companies looking for new business. “There was a need for this type of show,” said Silvia Moreira of Asociacion Guatemalteca De Exportadores – Agexport. “We were able to write some small orders that our producers can start to work on as soon as we get back. We then have three big orders that will keep us busy.”

Renee Ryan of Haiti Projects, added, “We wrote a lot of custom work. It’s a great networking show and it was very successful for us.” Ryan also credits Artisan Resource with delivering a valuable new connection with U.S. retailer Home Goods.

As an extension to exhibit floor activities, value-added events included a series of exhibitor education sessions on topics ranging from product development to show etiquette, as well as sessions on design trends and handmade product marketing and development. In addition, daily “Importing 101” primers offered essential information for buyers new to overseas sourcing.

The second semi-annual edition of Artisan Resource will run Sunday, January 27, through Tuesday, January 29 2013, at New York City’s Passenger Ship Terminal Pier 92. Some 100 companies from more than 20 countries are expected to exhibit.

Artisan Resource is managed by GLM and organized with the assistance of ByHand Consulting. For information, contact Allison Rober, sales manager, at GLM, by phone (914-421-3212) or email arober@glmshows.com. Attendee information is available by calling 1-800-272-SHOW or 212-204-1060. Additional information and registration is available online at http://www.artisanresourceny.com.