Jan 28, 2014

NYC & Company Welcomes The First Winter Edition of NY NOW to New York City

NYC & Company, the City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, welcomes the first Winter Edition of NY NOW™, the Market for Home + Lifestyle (formerly NYIGF®) to New York City. This semiannual trade-only event will showcase 2,500 exhibitors from 56 countries and attract more than 35,000 attendees from more than 80 countries and all 50 states. NY NOW’s newly reorganized exhibit floor and rebranding, which was introduced at the summer 2013 edition, will make its winter market debut. NY NOW begins on Saturday, February 1, and runs through Thursday, February 6, filling New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Pier 94.

NY NOW is the premier market for home and lifestyle merchandise, featuring 100,000 products in 400-plus categories across four reorganized collections: HOME, LIFESTYLE, HANDMADE and NEW! The winter NY NOW boasts 400-plus first-time exhibitors to the show, distinguishing itself from other markets with its focus on variety, innovation and its common thread, design.

“We are looking forward to welcoming NY NOW and its business-focused market-goers to New York City, the finance, entertainment and fashion capital of the world,” said Fred Dixon, Interim President and CEO of NYC & Company. “With more than 35,000 attendees year after year, NY NOW is an important contributor to of the City’s booming convention and tourism industry.”

NY NOW connects buyers and suppliers of consumer goods, and offers retailers from across the United States and around the world the ability to replenish inventory after a bountiful holiday season. HOME spotlights Home Furnishings + Textiles, Tabletop + Gourmet Housewares and Accent on Design®; LIFESTYLE showcases Baby + Child, Gift, Personal Accessories and Personal Care + Wellness;HANDMADE separates artisans by process and provenance with Designer Maker and Global Design; andNEW! highlights market newcomers on Pier 94.

“We are thrilled to kick off the first winter edition of NY NOW this February,” said Christian Falkenberg, NY NOW director and GLM Senior Vice President. “The New York market not only offers a unique opportunity for buyers to be exposed to hundreds of emerging and innovative new resources, but also entertains and inspires market participants with the City’s wide array of attractions, retail and restaurants.”

NY NOW is comprised of thousands of small to midsize businesses, artisans and designers, attracting start-ups as well as leading brands such as Michael Aram, Juliska, UMBRA, Julien Chichester, Thymes, Oka-B, Knock Knock, Ty, Lazy Susan and Two’s Company, among more. New York designers are featured throughout the show, including Vanessa Chew Designs from Brooklyn, Nicole Porter from Astoria, and Sound from NYC.

Highlights of the winter NY NOW include: SustainAbility, a display featuring 200 green home and lifestyle resources; MADE IN THE USA display, showcasing nearly 200 American-made products; 40-plus educational seminars addressing design and color trends, consumer preferences, visual merchandising, business strategies, social media and more; and product design awards in seven categories, including home textiles, gourmet housewares, baby and child, personal care and wellness, and eco choice. Two special awards—Best of the Best HOME and Best of the Best LIFESTYLE—will be determined by popular vote, with the public invited to select their favorites, February 1–5, online at redclaydesign.com/nynow.

Special events held in conjunction with the winter market will include the Gift for Life 22nd Anniversary “Party for Life” Fundraiser on Monday, February 3; the Housewares Design Awards Gala & Ceremony on Tuesday, February 4; as well as NY NOW’s popular “Night on Broadway,” featuring specially priced tickets for the Tuesday, February 4, performance of Motown the Musical. Complete information and registration is available online at nynow.com/programs.

NY NOW is open to trade members only, not the general public. Press may register by contacting Cathy Steel at 203-340-9251, or cathysteel@cathysteelassociates.com. Badges will be held for pick-up in the NY NOW Press Center, located on the Javits Center, 4A Terrace. For information and registration, go tonynow.com/press.

About NYC & Company:

NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For more information, visitnycgo.com.

About NY NOW:

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 Pier 94. NY NOW’s four comprehensive collections—HOME, LIFESTYLE, HANDMADE and NEW!—will encompass 100,000 products in 400-plus 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 nynow.com.

About the Javits Center:

The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York opened in 1986 as the successor to the NY Coliseum. Javits is New York City’s largest venue for conventions, trade shows and special events. Home to many of the top 200 trade shows, Javits hosts about 150 events with an average attendance of 3.5 million per year. These events contribute to the city and state economies by stimulating direct and indirect employment, economic activity and tax revenues, and by supporting the City’s hotel, restaurant, tourism and entertainment industries. For more information, visit javitscenter.com.