Nov 6, 2008

Fresh new companies integrated into winter NYIGF

(WHITE PLAINS, NY) … Buyers will be introduced to scores of new companies and new introductions from established brands as they search for fresh resources at the 156th semi-annual New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF), which runs Sunday, January 25, through Thursday, January 29, 2009, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 90, 92 and 94.

“There are highlights in each of NYIGF’s nine divisions this winter, offering retailers a wealth of new products as well as even more cross-category buying opportunities,” said Dorothy Belshaw, GLM senior vice president and NYIGF director. “Along with our efforts to refine product categorization, the new companies and new resources make it easy – and exciting – to shop both deeply within vertical categories and horizontally for complementary lines.”

Accent on Design Offers Full Spectrum and Introduces Blog Awards: 
Accent on Design, a dynamic juried collection of 200 exhibitors, offers access to the full spectrum of contemporary design resources – from established design leaders to emerging design talents – in one easy-to-shop location. Returning standard-bearers, such as Alessi, Artecnica, Chilewich, Dwell, Design House Stockholm, Jonathan Adler and Wabnitz, will be positioned alongside “A+TM: The Young Designer’s Platform,” a design “incubator” showcase area which showcases designs, prototypes or finished products from students, recent graduates and new companies. In partnership with editors from alternative media outlets, new “Bloggers’ Choice” Awards will be presented to select Accent on Design exhibitors this winter, with special recognition for top gift, home and lifestyle resources.

At Home Expands Home Textiles at Javits & Refines Hard Goods at Piers: 
At Home, which is presented at both the Javits Center and Piers 92 and 94, will continue to coalesce and expand mid-to-high-end home textiles resources at Javits while refining hard lines at the Piers. Between the three locations, At Home presents some 500 exhibitors with a full range of soft goods and hard lines for the home.

Within the home textiles arena, Sferra will increase its exhibit space at Javits and bed linen manufacturers SDH and Zoeppritz, will move into Javits from Pier 94. Notable changes at the Piers include expansion and relocation of Global Views and Zentique, expansion of Outdoor Designs and the addition of Made Goods (handmade mirrors and trays) and other newcomers to market.

EX·TRACTS Coalesces Personal Care Suppliers at NYIGF: 
EX·TRACTS will continue to evolve following its integration into NYIGF, by extending its cosmetics and personal care resources and by welcoming back past exhibitors, including Ebba Los Angeles, Bella il Fiore, Booty Parlor, and Principessa Beauty Inc. Overall, NYIGF will continue to coalesce its personal care resources by relocating relevant companies, such as Caswell & Massey, Illume, Rain Created for Living, and Terranova, into EX·TRACTS from other NYIGF divisions. EX·TRACTS features 100 companies, presenting cosmetics, perfumes, skincare, bath & body care, beauty accessories, hair care, natural/organic products, apothecary gifts and well-being lines.

General Gift featuring Just Kidstuff, The Museum Source, and Floral & Garden Accessories:
 With 750 exhibitors, NYIGF’s General Gift division is larger in size and scope than many gift shows, with three “showcase” areas, Just Kidstuff, The Museum Source, and Floral & Garden Accessories, to facilitate shopping. Notable changes to NYIGF’s largest division this winter include the return of Seiko after a three year absence from the market, and the growth of JETRO, which will be doubling its space to present small accessories, stationery, textiles, incense, tote bags and other gift items from Japan.

Handmade Continues to Identify Niche:
 Handmade will extend its identification of “Designer-Maker” exhibitors to help buyers more easily distinguish individual from production craft and will continue its showcase of Handmade in the USA, for buyers interested in sourcing and shopping American-made handcrafts. Handmade presents a total of 575 juried participants, offering buyers an unparalleled selection of handcrafted items from 35 American states and 13 countries worldwide.

New York’s Newest Expands and Relocates: 
The New York’s Newest division, a “launching pad” of resources across all NYIGF categories, will relocate from the Metropolitan Pavilion to Pier 90 and expand to feature some 300 newcomers to NYIGF. Of special note within New York’s Newest this winter is first-time participation of the West Africa Trade Hub, an international group featuring gifts and home items from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Swaziland and Tanzania.

Personal Accessories Refines its Look and Welcomes Past Exhibitors into Details: 
NYIGF’s Personal Accessories division presents 205 exhibitors offering a full range of wearables, jewelry, fashion accessories, luggage and travel accessories, and includes the Details showcase with a mix of 50 contemporary and specialty boutique-quality personal accessories companies. This winter, Details welcomes Plank (yoga mats and accessories) and several other companies returning to the market following an absence, as well as newcomers Triple C (compact mirrors, keychains, and accessories); Viv & Ingrid (high-end jewelry); and By Boe (handmade jewelry).

Tabletop & Housewares Expands Luxury Lines:
 Luxury tabletop and home entertaining lines will be expanded in the Tabletop & Housewares division to include newcomers Huephoria (stemware and drinkware), Lesouk (tangiers),Optima (high-end picnic baskets), Glassworks (barware and serveware); and within the Accent on Tabletop section, Galena (Colombian tabletop products), and Detroit Glass (whimsical glassware).

Other returning companies will expand their exhibit space, including Thistle & Bee (high-end sterling), Wilton Armetale (alternative metals), Europe2U (European ceramics), Slant (whimsical and cutting edge glassware and ceramics), and Paper Products Designs (ceramics). In total, the division will present a total of 200 companies at the Javits Center.

STUDIO Welcomes Trend-Setting Newcomers:
NYIGF’s newest, juried lifestyle division continues to develop with the addition of trend-setting newcomers, as well as the relocation of relevant companies from other NYIGF divisions, such as Paper Cloud (lampshades, pillows, journals, t-shirts), Plush Living (pillows, journals, home furnishings) and VIVO (personal and home accessories). STUDIO will present 100 companies, showcasing a variety of trend-driven, innovative and inspired lifestyle merchandise across all categories, from baby gear to pet products and fine stationery to hip home décor, at Pier 92.

In line with NYIGF’s ongoing commitment to environmental issues and opportunities connected with the gift and home industry, the Sustainability: design for a better world project will return again to the Fair. It will offer a curated display of environmentally-conscious and socially-responsible products and producers, along with a three-part seminar series addressing “green” issues impacting the industry.

NYIGF participants will have access to an extensive educational seminar program addressing color and design trends, sustainability and retail strategies. Special events include the Gift For Life Stakes Are High Casino to benefit DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS), and “A Night on Broadway” featuring specially-priced tickets to hit musical Billy Elliot. In addition, market participants are invited to visit the newly-opened Museum of Art & Design (MAD) in its new home at 2 Columbus Circle throughout the week at no charge, compliments of NYIGF, 7 West New York, 41 Madison and 230 Fifth Avenue.

Long recognized by the gift and home industry as the launch pad for new product lines and emerging design trends, the NYIGF will continue to sponsor several awards for distinctive products. Accent on Design Awards will be presented to select exhibitors for design excellence and a new “Bloggers’ Choice Award” will highlight top home, gift and lifestyle products selected by editors from alternative and emerging media channels. The EX·TRACTS Best New Products Awards will recognize excellence in five categories (Bath & Body, Beauty Accessory, Cosmetic & Fragrance, Natural/Organic and Packaging), along with one overall “Best of Show” distinction. Within the New York Home Textiles Market Week, the Best New Products Awards will be granted to exhibitors in four categories (Bed, Bath, Dining and Home Accessories), along with one overall “Best of Market” distinction. Winners of all four of these awards will be recognized on Tuesday, January 27, during NYIGF.

NYIGF will adopt a one-time date pattern shift this winter, with all nine of the Fair’s divisions opening on Sunday and closing on Thursday. Venue availability necessitated this one-time departure from NYIGF’s traditional Saturday-Thursday staggered opening/closing date pattern. The show hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except for Thursday, when the hours will be 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

NYIGF is the nation’s premier gift and home accessory marketplace, with 2,900+ exhibitors featuring an extraordinary breadth and depth of design-driven home fashion products and complementary giftware. NYIGF is held concurrently with Home Textiles Market Week at NYIGF (at the Javits Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 90, 92 & 94), 230 Fifth Avenue and 7 West 34th Street. Some 36,000 buyers from around the world are expected to attend. Additional information, registration and on-line advance planning tools are available at www.nyigf.com.