Apr 16, 2008

Design-Driven Product Takes Center Stage at Summer NYIGF

White Plains, NY – Offering both quality and quantity in equal measure, the 155th semi-annual New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) returns to New York City, running Saturday, August 16, through Thursday, August 21, 2008, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Metropolitan Pavilion and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 & 94. Growth and refinement are planned in all nine NYIGF divisions, including the expansion of “A+tm: The Young Designer’s Platform” within Accent on Design; the emphasis in Handmade of designer-makers of artisan craft; and growth and enhancement of luxury lines across several divisions.

“Buyers will find an unparalleled breadth and depth of merchandise at NYIGF,” said Dorothy Belshaw, GLM senior vice president and NYIGF director. “Our continuing refinements and enhancements to each of the Fair’s nine divisions will more clearly define the Fair’s vertical product categories, while also improving ease-of-use for retailers shopping broadly for complementary product.”

Handmade Showcases Authentic Craft

NYIGF’s Handmade division will emphasize individual artisanry, through visual cues spotlighting some 200+ designer-makers, beginning in August 2008. “This effort to better distinguish designer-maker from production craft comes in response to buyer and exhibitor feedback,” said Belshaw. “This identification of designer-makers will give buyers an opportunity to meet the artists and to engage them about their influences and techniques.”

In addition, the “Handmade in the USAtm” showcase area will return with 30+ exhibitors of American-made merchandise. Handmade presents a total of 575 juried participants, offering buyers an unparalleled selection of handcrafted items from 35 American states and 13 countries worldwide.

Accent on Design Expands “A+” Program for Emerging Designers

The second edition of “A+tm : The Young Designer’s Platform” will expand to feature more emerging talent alongside established contemporary design within Accent on Design. A+ showcases designs, prototypes or finished products from design students, recent graduates and new companies in an “incubator” space. Accent on Design presents a dynamic juried collection of 200 contemporary and innovative exhibitors.

At Home Refines Home Textiles at Javits and Hard Lines at Piers 92 & 94

At Home featuring Home Textiles, will continue to coalesce some 200 leading home textiles suppliers and established luxury brands at the Javits Center, as an extension of Home Textiles Market Week in New York. With more than 500 home fashion suppliers across three locations (NYIGF, 230 Fifth Avenue and 7 West New York), Home Textiles Market Week offers buyers access to the nation’s largest collection of mid-to-high-end home textiles.

At Home’s hard lines will be presented at both Piers 92 and 94. Together, the two locations feature nearly 400 exhibitors across the home furnishings spectrum – traditional to contemporary and indoor to outdoor.

Tabletop & Housewares Expands Luxury Lines

Accent on Tabletop will expand the luxury and design-driven tabletop and home entertaining lines within the Tabletop & Housewares division. Overall, the division will present a total of 200 gourmet product resources.

STUDIOtm Showcases Fashion-Forward Collections

STUDIOtm, a juried lifestyle division showcasing a variety of trend-driven, innovative and inspired merchandise across all categories – from baby gear to pet products and fine stationery to hip home decor – returns to Pier 92 with 125 companies. According to Belshaw, “The feedback we received from the winter 2008 launch of STUDIO was overwhelmingly favorable. Buyers were energized by the cross-category collection of on-trend and fashion-forward products.”

EXTRACTS Enhances Range of Personal Care Resources at Javits

With its move to the Javits Center, EXTRACTS: New discoveries in beauty and wellness has expanded both its breadth and depth of personal care resources, while extending the ease of shopping thousands of complementary lines. Through its integration into NYIGF, EXTRACTS now features some 100 established and innovative personal care resources for spa, salon and specialty retailers.

Details Broadens Stylish Fashion Accessories within Personal Accessories

Details continues to broaden its boutique collection of fashion forward wearables, including jewelry, fashion accessories, luggage and travel accessories, within NYIGF’s Personal Accessories division. In total, the division features 205 exhibitors.

Bold Text HereGeneral Gift Extends Floral & Garden Showcase

General Gift will extend its showcase areas to include Floral & Garden Accessories (with 33 exhibitors featuring permanent botanicals and a wide array of products inspired by the outdoors), as well as Just Kidstuff and The Museum Source. NYIGF’s largest division features some 750 exhibitors across the gift spectrum.

New York’s Newest Launches New Companies at Metropolitan Pavilion

New York’s Newest, the launching pad for companies new to NYIGF, will feature 150 companies on three levels at the Metropolitan Pavilion. This concentration of new exhibitors within New York’s Newest makes it easier for buyers to source and shop newcomers to NYIGF.

Seminars, Events and other Extras Add Value for Participants

In addition to exhibits, NYIGF offers participants a full range of educational programs, after-hours events and exciting promotions. Seminars, addressing color and design trends, sustainability and retail strategies will be held daily at the Javits Center. “Only in New York” events including NYIGF’s A Night on Broadway featuring specially-priced tickets to hit musical In The Heights, and the 57th Annual Retailer Excellence Awards hosted by Gifts and Decorative Accessories magazine. For information and registration, visit nyigf.com/programs.

Environmentally-conscious and socially-responsible products and producers from around the world will be showcased in SustainAbility: design for a better worldtm. This special display, curated and installed by Ilene Shaw of Shaw & Co! Productions, will spotlight global gift and home industry suppliers whose products or production processes are eco-friendly, as well as companies whose business practices are socially responsible or fair-trade oriented.

Adding to the excitement, retailers can register to win tickets to a New York Mets game and two free round-trip airline tickets. And, through a special partnership with ZAGAT.com, NYIGF participants can have two weeks free access to Zagat Ratings & Reviews for the best places to Eat, Drink, Stay & Play in New York City. Visit nyigf.com for details.

NYIGF is the nation’s premier gift and home accessory marketplace, with 2,800+ exhibitors featuring an extraordinary breadth and depth of design-driven home fashion products and complementary giftware. NYIGF is held concurrently with EXTRACTS at the Javits Center and Home Textiles Market Week at NYIGF (at the Javits Center Metropolitan Pavilion and Piers 92 & 94, 230 Fifth Avenue and 7 West 34th Street). Some 40,000 buyers from around the world are expected to attend. Additional information, registration and on-line advance planning tools are available at nyigf.com.

Easy reservations and special show discounts on hotel and travel – as well as lowest rate guarantees for official show hotels – are available through Travel Planners, NYIGF’s official travel agency. Visit nyigf.com/travel for details, or contact Travel Planners at 1-800-221-3531 or 212-532-1660.