NYC & COMPANY WELCOMES BACK THE SUMMER 2012 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL GIFT FAIR TO NEW YORK CITY

8/13/12


NYC & COMPANY WELCOMES BACK THE SUMMER 2012 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL GIFT FAIR TO NEW YORK CITY



—New York City’s Largest Trade Show Expects More than 35,000 Market-Goers from 80 Countries and all 50 States—



—Gift Fair Generates More Than 21,000 Room-Nights and Delivers $17.2 Million in Economic Impact to the City—



—Nation’s Premiere Trade Show for Gifts, Home and Lifestyle; Sets Trends for the Holiday Shopping Season—



New York City (August 13, 2012) —NYC & Company, the City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, welcomes back the Summer 2012 New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®) to New York City, a wholesale industry event with more than 2800 exhibitors from around the world, and 35,000 attendees from 80 countries and all 50 states.  The 163rd semi-annual market, which is the city’s largest tradeshow, is expected to generate more than 21,000 room-nights and $17.2 million in economic impact for New York.  The NYIGF begins on Saturday, August 18, and runs through Wednesday, August 22, filling the City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, including for the first time, the renovated Javits Galleria, and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94.



“The NYIGF is the nation’s premiere market for gifts, home and lifestyle for a reason – its design-driven products reflect current and coming trends and offer a preview of what will be in stores during this holiday shopping season,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. “As the biggest trade show, we are thrilled to welcome the NYIGF to back New York, expected to bring more than 35,000 people to city, generating $17.2 million in economic growth and an estimated 21,000 hotel room nights.” 



More than 100,000 products presented by NYIGF exhibitors are “Driven by Design,” with 400+ categories of design-driven and fashion forward gift, home and lifestyle merchandise. The 35,000 retailers attending the NYIGF will be stocking their shelves with products that consumers will see in the stores during the 4th quarter. Products highlights include:



Tablet Covers by ARTBIRD LLC



Thick neoprene sleeves lined with cozy cotton flannel plaid keep iPads and other tablets safe and stylish.  Eight styles includes imagery like birds and flowers, as well as patterns like dots and stripes.



Candles by Rewined®



Not only are these candles made from reused wine bottles discarded by restaurants but the fragrances also mimic the flavors and aromas found in popular wine varietals.



Moss Terrarium Bottle™ by Potting Shed Creations, Ltd.



A modernized version of the classic terrarium, handmade from repurposed restaurant wine bottles offers everything needed to grow an indoor garden of moss or sedum.



Single Quick Pop Maker by Zoku Home



Freeze ice pops in as little as seven minutes right on your countertop without electricity! The kit includes three durable, reusable plastic pop sticks, with special drip guards for tidy eating.



Piggy Hero set by Box Play for Kids LLC



Stickers which transform used boxes, milk cartons, etc. into playthings are made in the USA from 100% recycled uncoated paper. Turn milk cartons into pigs, transform egg cartons into pianos, or convert mac n’ cheese boxes into cameras.



Growing like a Weed Growth Chart by Wee Gallery



Track a child’s height with this wall graphic decal. Handwritten numbers note birthdays on the stem.



Highlights beyond the exhibit floor include a seminar titled “Open House –What’s Hot in Home Design?” exploring trends influencing home products – from materials and color to commerce and branding.  In addition, NYIGF’s SustainAbility: design for a better world exhibit will recognize nearly 200 exemplary eco-friendly and socially responsible products connected with the summer 2012 market.  A full roster of activities is listed online at www.nyigf.com/programs.



“No other U.S. tradeshow offers the breadth or depth of products that NYIGF presents.  It showcases current and coming trends in ten carefully categorized divisions,” said Christian Falkenberg, NYIGF director and GLM vice president.  “And, no other city offers the retail inspiration and after-hours attractions that New York City provides.”



NYIGF divisions include:  Accent on Design presents a juried collection of 200 contemporary design resources across all product categories; Handmade features 475 hand-crafted products in all media from design-makers and global artisans; Baby & Child showcases 150 suppliers of well-designed, innovative, sophisticated, functional and fun products for babies, toddlers, kids and their families; Personal Accessories featuring Details presents 350 exhibitors with fine and fashion jewelry, handbags, scarves, leather goods, wearables, men’s gifts, and more; New York’s Newest showcases 200 first-time exhibitors new to the NYIGF spanning all categories and featuring fresh and innovative lines. At Home offers 500 companies presenting a full spectrum of hard lines and soft goods for the home; EX·TRACTS presents 100 suppliers of innovative and emerging personal care, beauty and wellness; General Gift, the largest division of the NYIGF with 750 exhibitors, features a vast array of giftable products.



New this year, Handmade Designer Maker debuts the new “Emerging Designer Showcase,” a platform for up-and-coming designers and makers of handmade gift and lifestyle products.  Among first-time participants is LeeLabs, a design and fabrication studio in New York City introducing Para Clocks – digitally-derived, mini concrete structures. www.paraclocks.com



Annual Gourmet Housewares Show also returns to NYIGF for its second annual edition. The summer 2012 event has expanded to feature 175 suppliers of specialty kitchenware for cooking, dining and kitchen preparation. 



Artisan Resource, a first-of-its kind tradeshow connects overseas artisan enterprises from with US-based volume importers, debuts at Pier 92. Exhibitors will showcase a range of traditional craft techniques, reflective of global cultures and identities, as well as fair trade practices and sustainable production processes. Exhibitors hail from 20+ countries including Afghanistan, Armenia, Colombia, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, Philippines, South Africa and West Africa



In addition, the NYIGF will hold a full slate of more than 50 seminars and after-hours events including a Night on Broadway, the Retailer Excellence Awards and free admission to NY Historical Society, to entertain market-goers.  Plus, the trade show has new product awards in eight categories to recognize best new product introductions.



The summer market runs Saturday, August 18, through Wednesday, August 22, 2012, 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.



Unless otherwise noted, the NYIGF is open to trade members only, not the general public. Please submit your request for a press badge, by August 14, to CathySteel@CathySteelAssociates.com.



About NYC & Company:
NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For more information, visit nycgo.com.



About NYIGF:



NYIGF is the nation’s premier gift, home and lifestyle marketplace, with more than 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 80 countries worldwide are expected. Information and registration is available online at nyigf.com.



About the Javits Center:



The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York opened in 1986 as the successor to the NY Coliseum. Javits is New York City’s largest venue for conventions, trade shows and special events. Home to many of the top 200 trade shows, Javits hosts about 150 events with an average attendance of 3.5 million per year. These events contribute to the city and state economies by stimulating direct and indirect employment, economic activity and tax revenues, and by supporting the city’s hotel, restaurant, tourism and entertainment industries. For more information, visit javitscenter.com.



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 Contact: NYC & Company/ Chris Heywood  212-484-1270