Dec 21, 2012

Several Categories Strengthen Within NYIGF’s Baby & Child

Several juvenile product categories, including design-oriented accessories, natural products and educational play toys, are expanding within Baby & Child at the winter 2013 New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®), January 27-30, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Following its successful summer 2012 relocation, Baby & Child will hold its first winter market in the Javits Center’s 1D Hall, with 150 suppliers – including new, returning and relocating exhibitors. The sold-out Baby & Child division will follow its new, and successful, shift to a Sunday to Wednesday date pattern.

“A strong design focus is the common denominator among the resources found in Baby & Child,” said Christian Falkenberg, NYIGF director and GLM vice president. “Sophistication and style will be well represented across all product categories this winter, from the backpacks created by Madpax and the moccasins from Me-In-Mind, to the wooden push toys from Manny and Simon.”

First-time participants in Baby & Child for the winter 2013 market include: Baby Baazaar (toys and publishing); Gryphon Design Collective (stationery and story cards); Mockosines (baby moccasins); Pello (floor pillows); Warm Milk (diaper bags); and Zoli Baby (non-toxic feeding accessories).

The division also welcomes the return of several former Baby & Child exhibitors following an absence from the New York market – Dabbawalla Bags (lunch bags and animal school backpacks); Edoche (booties, feeding accessories) Distro International (Pacimals huggable pacifier); Petit Collage (modern wall décor and home accessories); and Petites Frites (baby blankets/textiles) – as well two companies relocating into Baby & Child from NYIGF’s General Gift division: Crocodile Creek (activity toys, feeding accessories) and Kristabenhome (bedding, apparel, and accessories).

Several exhibitors are expanding their presence with larger exhibit space. These include: Bunnies By the Bay (clothing, blankets and soft toys); eco-kids (all natural art supplies, including Eco Dough™); Me-In-Mind (footwear and accessories); and Sara Kety (clothing and accessories).

Beyond the show floor, seminars and events will be offered specifically for juvenile product buyers and retailers. On Sunday, January 27, Earnshaw’s will host an afternoon Hot Cocoa Break, free for retailers, on the Baby & Child show floor from 3:00 – 4:00PM. Attendees are invited to enjoy the warm refreshment while browsing and shopping.

On Tuesday, January 29, Earnshaw’s also hosts “Your Customer Enthusiasm: Crowd-Sourcing and Crowd-Funding in the Juvenile Market,” from 3:30 – 4:30PM in Javits Center Room 1C04. In this educational session, Earnshaw’s editor in chief, Jennifer Cattaui, provides an overview of trends in financing and product development during a time when banks are slow to loan. Her panel will introduce customer-first opportunities like Kickstarter, Peerbackers and Indiegogo.

Additionally, innovation in juvenile product design will be recognized at the Baby & Child Best New Product Awards. A special product display will be judged by editors from trade publications and leading blogs. Finalists and winners will be recognized in four categories: gear, décor, toys, apparel and best of show.

Baby & Child is one of ten divisions presented semi-annually at NYIGF. Offering sophisticated and purpose-driven products for children 0-10 years, Baby & Child features a juried collection of leading brands and innovative new resources in a wide range of products, including arts and crafts, books, music, toys, games, puzzles, dolls and plush, gear, wearables and accessories, layette, bedding accessories and blankets.

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. The winter market takes place Saturday January 26, through Wednesday, January 30, 2013, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94. Some 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 80 countries worldwide are expected. Information and registration is available online at www.nyigf.com.