Sustainability Display and Seminars Highlight Winter 2010 NYIGF
White Plains, NY — SustainAbility: design for a better world®, a special exhibit and educational program showcasing “green” gift and home products and business practices, returns to the winter 2010 New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®). The special eco-focused exhibit will expand in January to feature 220 products – the largest since its inception in winter 2008 – with emphasis on design simplicity and eco-friendly manufacture.
Participation in the display is limited to global gift and home industry suppliers whose products or production processes are eco-friendly, or companies whose business practices are socially responsible, philanthropic or fair-trade oriented. As part of the stringent criteria for acceptance, NYIGF has introduced a new “zero tolerance” policy for any products with VOC; lead (for baby, children and food-related products); aniline dyes, formaldehyde and chlorine (for textiles); and PVC, without recommendation for use and disposal.
From the 130 applicants, some 90 companies have been accepted into the SustainAbility exhibit. Exhibit curator Ilene Shaw of Shaw + Co! Productions commented, “Display participants are proud to be green and it’s visible. They have fully adopted an eco- and socially-responsible approach to products, production and business practice. As a result, green materials are more easily available and the variety and diversity of materials and choices have broadened. ‘Natural’ is becoming the new norm.”
According to Shaw, there were three common trends among winter 2010 display applicants: natural tones, clean unfinished woods, natural textiles and under saturated colors; heightened emphasis on technique (i.e. carving in woods rather than painting patterns on wood); and most importantly, integration of green business practices, such as philanthropic and community support, as well as green production practices, whether by using natural and alternative energy sources or by greening offices, showrooms and manufacturing facilities.
A full winter 2010 participant list, including detailed product descriptions, will be posted online at www.nyigf.com in mid-January. Notable among these are:
Aster+Sage®, Blossom Pin made of 100% recycled Sensuede
bambu, Spork & Cork Pocket made of renewable and sustainably harvested cork and bamboo
Circa Asia, Mango Wood Bark Tray handmade in Thailand via Fair Trade practices
D.I.G.S.®, Wood pebbles made from FSC certified wood
ecoSource Home & Garden, “Grow Your Own” organic gardening kit
Handmade Expressions, Recycled videocassette tape bags
Jonathan’s® Spoons, Cat Tail Salad Set made from FSC Cherry Wood
Maple Landmark, Inc., Natural ABC blocks
Seracon / Eco-culture, Organic sprouts in re-usable lunch bag
Zpots studio pottery, Clay pottery made with electricity from methane generated by cow dung
“Green is becoming more mainstream in the gift and home industry, and NYIGF is taking a leadership position in the green arena, bolstered by the success and acclaim of SustainAbility,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and senior vice president. “During the winter market we will publish criteria that the industry can use to identify green products and producers, and rankings that indicate the extent to which a product or producer is eco-friendly.”
In addition to the exhibit, two seminars will provide background on “green” consumer behavior and sustainable business practices. On Monday, February 1, from 12:00 to 1:30 pm, “It’s Easy Being Green… A Conversation with ‘Green Guru’ Scot Case” will address what motivates consumers to buy green and how to address their needs without overstating the environmental benefits of a product or service. Susan Szenasy, editor-in-chief of Metropolis Magazine, will interview Case, vice president of TerraChoice and executive director of the EcoLogo Program.
On Tuesday, February 2, from 9:00 – 10:30 am, the Day Spa Association will present “The Beauty of Green,” exploring a 360 degree approach to green business – from natural and organic products, through to energy-efficient and eco-friendly facilities. Panelists include Sheila Brody from The Green Spa & Wellness Center and Karen Sinclair Drake of Sophyto Organics. Networking and continental breakfast, sponsored by Sophyto, begin at 8:30 am.
Both sessions will be held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, with discounts for advance registration. Details and registration is available online at www.nyigf.com.
The ECO CHOICE Awards, which debuted during the summer market, will return in January to recognize the most innovative, environmentally responsible products found within NYIGF’s SustainAbility display. The awards, sponsored by NYIGF and GREENRetailer, give retailers the opportunity to vote in the categories of “Most Innovative,” “Most Sensitive Use of Materials,” and “Most Sellable.” Winners and finalists will be announced at the conclusion of the winter 2010 NYIGF, and profiled in the spring 2010 issue of GREENRetailer.
NYIGF is the nation’s premier gift, home and lifestyle marketplace, with 2,700 exhibiting companies featuring an extraordinary breadth and depth of design-driven home fashion products and complementary giftware. Some 31,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 85 countries worldwide are expected.
NYIGF runs January 30 through February 4, 2010, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Pier 94. Information and registration is available online at www.nyigf.com.
