Apr 21, 2009

NYIGF Features Extensive Selection of New Resources

White Plains, NY — Access to more than 400 new gift, home and lifestyle suppliers, coupled with an unparalleled breadth and depth of sophisticated and fashion-forward resources, will draw savvy buyers to the 157th semi-annual edition of the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®), Saturday, August 15, through Thursday, August 20, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Pier 94. A comprehensive schedule of seminars and industry functions, as well as “only in New York” after-hours activities, will add value to the show experience for an anticipated 30,000 New York Market participants.

“NYIGF draws influence and inspiration from New York City, the world’s epicenter of design and retail,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “It has never been more affordable to attend NYIGF, and our summer offerings – an extensive selection of new suppliers, access to principles of leading manufacturers and unparalleled style and sophistication of resources – make it a must-attend market.”

NYIGF will welcome some 400 newcomers to the summer market, with these fresh new resources located throughout the Fair’s divisions and locations. According to Belshaw, “Current economic conditions have led some of our returning exhibitors to downsize their exhibit space, creating an opportunity for new companies to enter the market.” All newcomers will be identified in the directory and through onsite signage as “New York’s Newest,” in order to facilitate sourcing and shopping for buyers.

One key newcomer is Spain’s Instituto de Promoción Exterior de Castilla-La, a government-sponsored pavilion of Spanish manufacturers and distributors. With this addition, NYIGF’s General Gift division now will feature a total of eight international pavilions – Created in France/Ateliers D’art De France (France); LMI-Leipziger Messe International GmbH (Germany); Israel Export Institute (Israel); Italian Trade Commission (Italy); JETRO New York (Japan); Instituto de Promoción Exterior de Castilla-La (Spain); British Jewellery & Giftware Exports (UK); and Africa Now! (a collective of West African nations).

In total, 35 countries will be represented in the summer market. Other international contingents throughout the Fair include: LMI-Leipziger Messe International GmbH (Germany), PROMEXICO (Mexico), American Chamber of Commerce from Peru (Peru) and British Crafts Council (UK) in Handmade®; and Quebec Government Office (Canada), Created in France/Ateliers D’art De France (France) and British Design Group (UK) in Accent on Design®.

EX•TRACTS® also welcomes several innovative and emerging personal care and wellness suppliers with a 30% expansion of floor space for the summer market. Among newcomers to the division’s 100 exhibiting companies are: Diana B., Dayna Decker, Jimmy Jane and Trapp Candles; and Jaqua returning to the market following a brief absence. In connection with the division’s growth, returning exhibitors Seda France, Sohum Cosmetics, Soular Therapy and Voluspa all are expanding their exhibit space.

As more leading fashion and personal accessories manufacturers present new price-sensitive lines, NYIGF’s Personal Accessories division and its Details® showcase of contemporary and specialty boutique-quality lines also are expanding by 35% for the summer market. Personal Accessories will feature 300 companies and Details will feature 65 companies, with key newcomers including Andrew Hamilton Crawford, Lauren G. Adams, My Oilcloth, Inc., Otazu For Additionals, Passion, Selen Design and Taolei Designs in Personal Accessories; and Apple & Bee, Kim&Maki LLC, Mondaine Watch Ltd., T-Box USA, Trina and Yarnz in Details. At the same time, returning exhibitors are expanding their presence in both Personal Accessories – AJ Morgan, Alashan Cashmere, Highway, Murval Paris, Rowallan of Scotland and Tokyo Bay, Inc. – and in Details – Cinzia, Glam-Glam Noir by Triple C Designs, Envirosax and Stewart/Stand.

For the first time, NYIGF’s STUDIO™ division, a showcase of fashion-forward, cross-category lifestyle merchandise, will be presented at the Javits Center. The division’s move – to run alongside Accent on Design – creates exciting new synergies between on-trend and contemporary design resources at the Fair. STUDIO’s 100 exhibiting companies will be located in two aisles at the north end of Javits on Level 3, with confirmed participants including Beth Weintraub, Jane Marvel, Jill Rosenwald, O plus D/Offensive + Delightful, Skeem and Snow and Graham.

In connection with this, Accent on Design will celebrate its 25th anniversary this summer with a series of floorplan modifications unveiling a fresh new presentation of new and returning resources. Key changes include the move of established leaders in contemporary design products – Areaware, Jonathan Adler, Umbra and Wabnitz – to up-front exhibit floor positions. Accent on Design will feature a dynamic juried collection of nearly 200 contemporary design-driven suppliers, along with emerging design talents showcased in its “A+™: The Young Designer’s Platform” section.

At Pier 94, At Home will offer buyers “under-one-roof” access to a complete range of hard line home products – from indoor to outdoor, and traditional to contemporary. Key companies debuting at Pier 94 this summer include Gold Leaf Design Group, The Homeport, Kingsley-Bate, Roost, Skalny and Zentique; with returning industry leaders including America Retold, Ankasa, Bobo Intriguing Objects, Bungalow 5, Company C, Dolma, Dransfield & Ross, Jamie Young Company, Julian Chichester, Notre Monde, Roberta Schilling Collection, Trowbridge and Vagabond Vintage.

At the Javits Center, At Home featuring Home Textiles will continue to present a comprehensive collection of upscale home textiles companies, as part of Home Textiles Market Week® in New York. Newcomers to the summer market will include August Morgan, Prairie Manor and Sin in Linen. Returning market leaders are: Andrew Morgan Collection, Home Treasures, John Robshaw, Legacy/Ryan Studio, Matouk, Matteo, Natural Curiosities, PineCone Hill, Sferra and Traditions. Through cooperation between NYIGF and showrooms at 7 West 34th Street and 230 Fifth Avenue, Home Textiles Market Week offers buyers the largest collection of mid-to-high-end home textiles in the United States.

Two other NYIGF divisions – Tabletop & Housewares and Handmade – will continue to present a full range of products, for table and kitchen and handcrafted products in all gift, home and lifestyle categories. In total, NYIGF presents nearly 3,000 exhibitors and 100,000 lines at the Javits Center and Passenger Ship Terminal’s Pier 94.

Beyond exhibits, the NY Market will offer inspiration and ideas to participants through a series of seminars, events and displays. As part of its commitment to sustainability, NYIGF will again present Sustainability: design for a better world®, a curated display of environmentally-conscious and socially-responsible products and producers. This special exhibit will be complemented by two “green”-themed seminars – one featuring environmental entrepreneur, media personality, author and retailer Josh Dorfman, The Lazy Environmentalist and the other addressing organic beauty trends.

A variety of educational seminars also will add-value for NYIGF participants, with sessions addressing color trends, business planning in a down economy, marketing through social media and “green” issues and opportunities. In addition to these retailer-directed seminars, NYIGF also will launch two pre-show exhibitor training webinars, addressing marketing and operations, and one onsite exhibitor session, addressing post-show follow-up to help exhibitors maximize the return on their tradeshow investments. All sessions are presented by leading trade and consumer publications and industry associations, ensuring the highest quality of education and inspiration for participants. (NOTE: A complete list of seminars and events follows)

Several “Only in New York” after-hours events are planned for market week, including Gifts & Decorative Accessories’ 58th Annual Retailer Excellence Awards recognizing excellence in retailing and individual achievement, on Sunday, August 16; and NYIGF’s “A Night on Broadway” featuring specially-priced tickets to hit musical West Side Story on Tuesday, August 18. As an added benefit, market participants are invited to visit The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), throughout the week at no charge, compliments of NYIGF, 7 West New York, 41 Madison and 230 Fifth Avenue.

Complete details about seminars and special events are available through the NYIGF website. Visit www.nyigf.com/programs for information and registration.

As a platform for new product introductions, NYIGF hosts a series of awards to recognize excellence and innovation in product design. The Accent on Design Awards will recognize design excellence in individual products and collections; the new Accent on Design “Bloggers’ Choice” Awards will showcase “top picks” by representatives of new and emerging media outlets; the EX•TRACTS Best New Product Awards will recognize product excellence in five categories; and Home Textiles Market Week Best New Product Awards will recognize product excellence in four categories.

NYIGF’s “Take a Bigger Bite of the Big Apple!” promotion gives market participants free access to ZAGAT.com, allowing them to search Zagat Ratings & Reviews – by cuisine, location or special features such as service, décor or “best buys” – and its over 40,000 of the best places to Eat, Drink, Stay & Play in New York City. A free 30-day trial is available through August 31, 2009, at www.zagat.com/redeem with promotion code: NYGF9.

Retailers visiting At Home at Pier 94 can win free tickets to the New York Mets’ inaugural season at Citi Field through NYIGF’s “Take Me Out to the Ball Game!” promotion. Two retailers will be selected at random to win two free tickets each to the Monday, August 17, New York Mets vs. San Francisco Giants game. The winner will be selected at 2:00 pm on game day. Tickets are donated by John Buttine Insurance. This promotion is offered by George Little Management, LLC. and is not connected in any way with the New York Mets baseball organization.

NYIGF is the nation’s premier gift, home and lifestyle marketplace, with nearly 3,000 exhibiting companies featuring an extraordinary breadth and depth of design-driven home fashion products and complementary giftware. Some 30,000 attendees from all 50 states and around the world are expected. For information and registration, visit www.nyigf.com.