NYC & Company And MMPI Join Local Vendors To Welcome The First One Of A Kind Show And Sale

12/8/09

NYC & COMPANY AND MMPI JOIN LOCAL VENDORS TO WELCOME THE FIRST ONE OF A KIND SHOW AND SALE NY WITH A SNEAK PEEK OF HOLIDAY GIFTS




More than 25,000 Holiday Shoppers Expected to Attend; Show Open to the Public December 11�13 and Offers Free Shuttle Service from Columbus Circle to Pier 94,




Thousands of Handcrafted Items Available for Purchase Directly from the Artists




New York City (December 7, 2009)�NYC & Company, the City's marketing, tourism and partnership organization, and MMPI, one of the largest trade-show producers in the world, today previewed some of the unique items created by New York City artisans and designers that will be for sale at the One of a Kind Show and Sale NY, starting with a preview night on December 10 and running through December 13. NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta was joined by Jennifer Woolford, senior vice president of consumer shows at MMPI, and New York City artisans showcasing their handcrafted designs at the Official NYC Information Center in Midtown Manhattan.




"We are pleased that MMPI, after decades in other cities, has chosen to bring the One of a Kind Show and Sale to New York City for the first time," said Fertitta. "With more than 25,000 people expected to attend, New York City continues to entice the best and most exciting conventions, meetings and trade and consumer shows to come to the City."




Among the items previewed at today�s event were children�s fashion and accessories, including leather baby bibs (Bambina Di Cioccolato) and baby clothes made from vintage handkerchiefs (Hanky Blanky); hand-thrown porcelain bowls and plates (Lois Aronow Porcelain); City-inspired stained-glass art (Nancy Nicholson); embellished knit textiles (Elyse Allen Textiles); and home decor in rich fabrics and textures (Aviva Stanoff Design). All these and more will be available at the show.




"The launch of the One of a Kind Show and Sale in NY is very exciting for us as it's happening at the same time that handcrafted items are becoming more and more important to consumers," said Woolford. "Our artists at the show offer gifts with a personal touch that you can�t buy anywhere else."




Filling more than 20,000 square feet at Pier 94 on Manhattan�s west side, the One of a Kind Show and Sale NY features more than 250 artists, artisans and designers from across North America, including artists from all five boroughs. Shoppers can browse among a wide variety of one-of-a-kind gifts, including ceramics, clothing, fashion accessories, fiber art, furniture, glass, gourmet, holiday, jewelry, metal, mixed media, painting, photography and wood.




In addition to the unique shopping experience�during which visitors can engage directly with the creators of the handmade objects they are contemplating purchasing�the show also will have live music and fashion shows featuring artist-designed clothing, jewelry and accessories. Visitors also can learn the stories behind artists� work and the skill behind their technique at special 20-minute demonstrations; experts will share their picks for must-have items from the show.




In celebration of One of a Kind Show and Sale's debut in New York City, NYC & Company is offering special incentives and opportunities, including custom parking discounts through Central Parking, a Holiday Business Card Exchange for NYC & Company members at the show on December 11 and an on-site welcome desk providing NYC visitor information throughout the show. NYC & Company also will provide brochures and other information at the Official NYC Information Center, an official welcome letter from Mayor Bloomberg for the show�s program and information about the event on the City�s official tourism website, nycgo.com. In addition, NYC & Company�s Style & Scene hotel promotion offers guests of participating hotels access to the show, along with a special Bloomingdale�s VIP shopping package (nycgo.com/styleandscene).




SHOW DETAILS:




PREVIEW NIGHT:

The One of a Kind Show and Sale NY will hold a preview evening on Thursday, December 10, 5�9pm, presenting a fashion show at 7pm and performances by singer�songwriter Leslie Mendelson at 6pm and 8pm.




ONE OF A KIND SHOW AND SALE:

The One of a Kind Show and Sale NY will be held at Pier 94, Twelfth Avenue at 55th Street. The show is open to the public on Friday, December 11, 11am�8pm; Saturday, December 12, 10am�7pm; and Sunday, December 13, 10am�5pm. Tickets, which are good for admission during the entire show, are $15 for adults; $12 for seniors and students; and free for children under 12. Tickets are available at the show or on its website, oneofakindshowny.com.




SHUTTLE BUSES:

Free shuttle buses are available between Columbus Circle and Pier 94. Shuttle buses will depart from the southwest corner of Eighth Avenue and 58th Street, and run on Thursday, 5:30�9pm; Friday, 3:30�8pm; Saturday, 3:30�7pm; and Sunday, 1:30�5pm. Car service is also available on-site.




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 information on visiting and experiencing New York City, visit nycgo.com or the Official New York City Information Center at 810 Seventh Avenue, between 52nd and 53rd Streets, in Midtown Manhattan.




About MMPI:

MMPI is the world's leading owner and operator of showroom buildings and trade show facilities, bringing buyers and sellers together in more than 300 market events, trade and consumer shows and conferences each year.

MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 West Mart Center in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; the Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Federal Center Southwest in Washington D.C.

Vornado Realty Trust, owners of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado�s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.




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