Jun 8, 2012

Seminar & Special Events Highlight Summer 2012 NYIGF

More than 50 educational sessions, industry social events, product awards and feature displays will be offered to buyers and suppliers participating in the summer 2012 New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®), Saturday, August 18, through Wednesday, August 22, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 & 94.

The seminar programming focuses on home design trends, retail strategies, sustainability and technology, with additional tracks complementing two events running concurrently with NYIGF: the return of the Gourmet Housewares Show®, and the debut of the Artisan Resource™ tradeshow. Special events include popular annual industry happenings, and the new NYIGF Bookstore. (NOTE: A full seminar and event schedule follows and is available online at www.nyigf.com/programs.

“Our educational programming has something for everyone involved in the gift, home and lifestyle industries,” said Christian Falkenberg, NYIGF director and GLM vice president. “This summer we also place particular emphasis on gourmet retailing and importing which integrate with the other two other markets being held alongside the NYIGF in August.”

Educational programs will be presented by representatives of industry trade publications and associations, as well as veteran retailers, designers, artists and authors. NYIGF will continue its partnership with various industry organizations, such as CRAFT (Craft Retailers & Artists for Tomorrow); ART (Accessories Resource Team); IFDA (International Furnishings & Design Association); the Day Spa Association; and Fashion Group International to present seminars and round table discussions related to craft, home décor and personal care products.

Seminars start before the market, with a pre-show NYIGF Orientation webinar for first-time attendees, and continues onsite with daily orientations hosted by Giftware News and Baby & Kids. Onsite highlights include a two-part session, presented by Constant Contact, addressing social media and digital marketing tools; and a three-track design series exploring home design trends, color trends and the intersection of fashion and home design. Other sessions will focus on business-building through social media and branding, as well as leveraging the power of Small Business Saturday to drive traffic and increase sales.

In connection with the return of the Gourmet Housewares Show at NYIGF, the new NYIGF Bookstore will highlight gourmet-related titles, and bring three authors to NYIGF for book signing appearances and in-person interviews: Shax Riegler (DISH: 813 Colorful, Wonderful Dinner Plates); Katie Workman (The Mom 100 Cookbook); and Alice Medrich (Sinfully Easy Delicious Desserts). The NYIGF Bookstore, which is sponsored by Artisan, a division of Workman Publishing and Gourmet Insider, will offer special retail and wholesale pricing as well as an opportunity to win a trip to one of the destinations in the best-selling 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.

Several sessions focusing on marketing international resources will be offered in conjunction with the launch of Artisan Resource™, a show running concurrently with NYIGF offering U.S.-based volume importers, direct import retailers and wholesalers the opportunity to meet with international artisanal producers. An “Importing 101” seminar will be offered on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday (August 19-21), and on August 19, By Hand Consulting will present “Strategic Planning in the Global Marketplace for Handmade Products.”

Through NYIGF’s popular SustainAbility: design for a better world® initiative, two seminars will cover current issues and opportunities in the “green” arena: “Social Responsibility: The New Metrics for Sustainability” on August 20, and “Mythbusting: Fair Trade & Your Customer,” presented by the Fair Trade Federation on August 21.

This summer’s special events, exclusive to the New York market, include the 61st Annual Retailer Excellence Awards, on Sunday, August 19, recognizes excellence in retailing and individual achievement; and NYIGF’s “Night on Broadway” features specially-priced tickets for GHOST on Monday, January 30. Additionally, New York Market participants can enjoy free admission to the New York Historical Society through cooperation between NYIGF and its permanent showroom partners.

Several NYIGF divisions will offer special exhibit floor receptions during Fair hours. On Saturday, August 18, NYIGF will sponsor coffee and bagels for buyers shopping HandmadeÒ Global Design, and an early evening reception on Pier 94 in At Home. On August 19, Earnshaw’s hosts an afternoon snack in Baby & Child. Details about all of the Market Week seminars and special events are available online at www.nyigf.com/programs.

NYIGF’s SustainAbility: design for a better world display will return to feature hundreds of eco-friendly and socially-responsible gift and home products. Winners of the Eco Choice Awards, co-sponsored by NYIGF and GREENRetailer magazine, will showcase the most popular products in three categories: most innovative, most sellable, and best use of materials.

Product innovation in other categories will be recognized during NYIGF with several awards, including the Gourmet Housewares Show Best New Product Awards, Baby & Child Best New Product Awards, EX·TRACTS® Best New Product Awards, Home Textiles Market Week® Best New Product Awards, Accent on Design® Awards; and Accent on Design Bloggers’ Choice Awards. In addition, ASID’s NY Metro Chapter will bestow its “Best of the Best” NYIGF Summer 2012 Awards.

Home design trends also will be highlighted in a new “Open House” display, with five key trend areas brought to life through product and color interpretations. Two other exhibits – the Baby & Child “Peek A Boo” Preview Display and the Gourmet Housewares Show Best New Product Awards Display – will showcase new product introductions in these categories.

NYIGF is the nation’s premier gift, home and lifestyle marketplace, with 2,800+ exhibiting companies featuring an extraordinary breadth and depth of design-driven home fashion products and complementary giftware. Some 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 85 countries worldwide are expected. Information and registration is available online at www.nyigf.com.