New York International Gift Fair: The third phase of a major, multi-year reorganization of the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®) will begin at the summer 2012 market, with the repositioning of three product divisions: Baby & Child, Handmade® Global Design, and New York’s Newest to new locations within the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The 2nd annual presentation of the Gourmet Housewares Show at NYIGF, and the introduction of Artisan Resource™, a new complementary trade show, will run concurrently with NYIGF.
“This series of divisional relocations is strategic and purposeful and will strengthen category adjacencies across NYIGF,” says Christian Falkenberg, NYIGF Manager and Vice President of George Little Management (GLM), the show’s organizer. “The ultimate goal is the creation of four distinct market collections which offer buyers a navigable and efficient shopping experience,” she adds.
“Focus Forward 2013,” a blueprint for NYIGF’s evolution, began in summer 2010. At its completion in summer 2013, NYIGF will be reorganized into four comprehensive market collections: NYIGF Home, NYIGF Lifestyle, NYIGF Handmade, and NYIGF New. The overall plan incorporates the introduction of new divisions and floor plan changes, several of which are necessitated by ongoing construction and renovation at the Javits Center.
This August, Handmade Global Design – which is comprised of 135 import resources with a focus on quality design, traditional craftsmanship, and community building – moves to the Javits Center’s Level 4 Galleria and River Pavilion from Hall 1D. Handmade Global Design will run August 18-21 in the column-free renovated space, which offers generous amounts of natural light in an expanded footprint.
Craft buyers will experience easier navigation between NYIGF’s two Handmade categories – Handmade Designer Maker in the Javits Center North and Handmade Global Design in the Galleria and River Pavilion. To promote the new location, plans include an opening day reception in the Galleria, enhanced signage, and other on-site activities.
Baby & Child – which boasts 125 companies offering products for children 0-10 years – will move from the Javits Center’s Hall 1E into Hall 1D, which is adjacent to NYIGF’s General Gift and maximizes cross-marketing opportunities with relevant product. In line with this change, Baby & Child will run August 19-22.
New York’s Newest – featuring companies new to NYIGF and the New York market – will relocate into the Javits Center from its former location at the Passenger Ship Terminal’s Pier 92. This cross-category collection of nearly 200 newcomers will run August 18-21 in the Javits Center’s Hall 1E.
In addition, GLM has announced plans to launch Artisan Resource, a new semi-annual trade show, offering U.S.-based volume importers, direct import retailers, and wholesalers the opportunity to meet with international artisanal producers, alongside NYIGF in summer 2012. The new event, which will run August 19-21 at the Passenger Ship Terminal’s Pier 92, offers a production-sourcing venue for overseas artisan enterprises to showcase their products and production capabilities – at export terms – from their country of origin. Both participating suppliers and attendees will be carefully vetted to support viable export relationships and maintain appropriate channels of distribution.
Beyond exhibits, a full schedule of educational programming and after-hours special events will be offered for exhibitors and attendees. Seminars will address color, design and commerce trends, sustainability, social media, and retail strategies. Networking events include the NYIGF-sponsored Retailer Excellence Awards and NYIGF’s Night on Broadway featuring specially-priced tickets to GHOST. Details and registration will be available online after April 15, at www.nyigf.com/programs.
NYIGF will also highlight product innovation in four special displays – a new “Open House” trend showcase, SustainAbility: design for a better world®, Baby & Child Sneak Peek, and Gourmet Housewares Show Best New Product – and with presentation of awards in eight different categories.
The summer market runs August 18-22 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.
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NYIGF's Third Phase of Reorganization Begins at Summer 2012 Market
