Economy Schmeconomy - 2011 NY Gift Fair is Biggest Ever

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Parent Category: Expos and Conventions

Category: Previews

Published on Friday, 28 January 2011 17:57

Written by Lynne Shannon

The New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) is running January 29 - February 3, 2011, at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Piers 92 and 94 in New York City. This semi-annual event is the premier gift and decorative accessories market in the United States, and has come to be the largest trade show held in New York City, for both domestic and international events.  

In the past year, many conventions and expos have cut back -- using less space, running fewer days, and hosting less exhibitors than before (to say nothing of a sharp drop in freebies). But NYIGF must have recycled the memo unread. This year the Gift Fair uses more space, has expanded some divisions, and is welcoming attendees from 85 countries and all 50 states.

“We’ve been seeing a huge spike in pre-registration for the winter 2011 NYIGF, with retailers coming in record numbers from the tri-state area, as well as strong representation from California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Japan and Australia,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “Our website also has recorded record numbers of product searches and appointment setting for the coming market.”

More than 2,800 firms are back to exhibit in 10 major merchandise sections. Where you will find them:

Pier 92: New York’s Newest

Pier 94: At Home

Javits Convention Center:
Baby & Child
Handmade^® Designer Maker
Handmade^® Global Design
Accent on Design^® featuring A+™ Young Designers' Platform
At Home featuring Home Textiles
EX•TRACTS^®
General Gift featuring Floral & Garden Accessories and The Museum Source^®
Personal Accessories featuring Details^®
Studio and Tabletop & Housewares featuring Accent on Tabletop
Licensing Gallery

This year’s highlights include:

• expansion of NY’s Newest, with more than 200 first time exhibitors
• expansion of the Baby & Child division, featuring 150 suppliers of items for children from birth to age 10
• refinement of two Handmade categories:
• – Designer Maker, which highlights the individual artist
• – Global Designs, which showcases worldwide crafts with emphasis on Fair Trade
• A+ The Young Designers’ Showcase at Accent on Design, introducing emerging designers to the wholesale market

In addition to the exhibits, Gift Fair attendees can enjoy several industry functions, including:

• Home Trends 2011-2012 seminar
• Accent on Design Bloggers’ Choice Awards
• 8th Annual Housewares Design Awards, recognizing product excellence in 13 categories
• a performance by Ryan O’Meara, US Olympic Ice Dancer turned home retailer
• SustainAbility: design for a better world^® Display with more than 200 “green” gift, home and lifestyle products. Visitors to the display can vote for their favorite products as part of the Eco Choice Awards.
• SustainAbility seminar, “It’s Easy Being Green – Just Ask the Experts!” moderated by Susan Szenasy, editor of Metropolis
• NYIGF’s Night on Broadway for the Tony Award winning Best Musical, Memphis

The annual charity fundraiser, Party For Life by Gift For Life, is being held at the Boathouse in Central Park. All proceeds benefit DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, one of the largest funders of HIV/AIDS service and education programs in the U.S.

Some of the more than 20 seminars include:

• a color trend forecast by The NY Chapter of the International Furnishings & Design Association (IFDA)
• a three-part session on spa retailing by the Day Spa Association
• individual and group consultations regarding best gift and home business practices, by the Gift & Home Trade Association (GHTA)
• a two-day series of “CRAFT Power Hour Table Topics” addressing key business issues for craft retailers, by CRAFT (Craft Retailers & Artists for Tomorrow)
• open discussions about home retailing issues with ART (Accessories Resource Team) and RetailForum.biz
• an overview of evaluation criteria and business opportunities by the Fair Trade Federation

There also will be exhibitor-focused sessions, networking coffee and breakfast get-togethers, as well as several other awards presentations.

It almost sounds exhausting, doesn’t it? But a very rewarding time is sure to be had by all.

For more information, go to www.nyigf.com.  

New York International Gift Fair
January 29 - February 3, 2011

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
655 W.34th Street
New York City
(212) 216-2000

Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94
711 12th Ave  (55th Street and 12th Avenue)
New York City
(212) 246-5450

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