NYC & Company Welcomes Back The Winter 2011 New York International Gift Fair To New York City

NYC & COMPANY WELCOMES BACK THE WINTER 2011 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL GIFT FAIR TO NEW YORK CITY

—New York City’s Largest Trade Show Expects More than 35,000 Market-Goers from 85 Countries and all 50 States—

—Gift Fair Generates More Than 21,000 Room-Nights and Delivers $42 Million in Economic Impact to the City—

—Show Launches Expanded Baby & Child Division and Previews Trends in Home, Gift and Lifestyle Merchandise—

New York City (January 25, 2011)—NYC & Company, the City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, welcomes back the Winter 2011 New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®) to New York City, an wholesale industry event with more than 2,800 exhibitors from around the world, and 35,000 attendees from 85 countries and all 50 states. The semiannual market, which is the city’s largest tradeshow, is expected to generate more than 21,000 room-nights and $42 million in economic impact for New York. The NYIGF begins on Saturday, January 29 and runs through Thursday, February 3, completely filling New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94.

On January 31, NYC & Company will host a welcome reception for organizers of NYIGF’s 15 international government-sponsored contingents at their Official NYC Information Center at Seventh Avenue in midtown. NYIGF is the nation’s most international marketplace for gift, home and craft merchandise, with more than 300 companies from 47 countries participating in each semi-annual edition.

“New York City has enjoyed a strong and long-standing relationship with the New York International Gift Fair and its exhibitors,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. “The NYIGF—the City’s largest trade show—brings tens of thousands of manufacturers and retailers of gift, home and lifestyle products to New York to dine in our restaurants, stay at our hotels and experience our vibrant and diverse culture as well provides the City with more than $42 million in economic impact.”

The NYIGF is the nation’s leading trade show for retailers refilling depleted 4th quarter inventories and ordering for spring and summer selling, as well as retailers sourcing new products, trends and design directions. The Fair showcases the very best lines across the home, lifestyle and gift spectrum, and features leading brands such as Alessi, Areaware, Michael Aram, Sferra, Peacock Alley, Dransfield & Ross, Jamie Young, Julian Chichester, John Robshaw, Michael Wainwright, Match, Stelton, Royal VKB and Juliska. A complete list of exhibitors is available online at search.nyigf.com. Preview winter 2011 product and design trends at: nyigf.com/Portals/0/W11_Trend%20Preview_011111.pdf.

NYIGF presents its 2,800 exhibitors in 10 carefully categorized product divisions. Highlights of the Winter 2011 NYIGF include: The expansion of NY’s Newest, a division with more than 200 first time exhibitors; expansion of the Baby & Child division to feature 150 suppliers of items for newborn to 10 year olds; refinement of two Handmade categories – Designer Maker which highlights the individual artist and Global Designs which showcases worldwide crafts with Fair Trade emphasis; and the return of A+ The Young Designers’ Showcase at Accent on Design introducing emerging designers to the wholesale market.

“We’re 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. Our website also has recorded record numbers of product searches and appointment setting for the coming market” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “New York City, with its world-class style and sophistication, is the perfect backdrop for the New York International Gift Fair”

In addition, the NYIGF hosts special lectures, events and awards such as a Home Trends 2011-2012 seminar; the Accent on Design “Bloggers’ Choice Awards; a performance by Ryan O’Meara, US Olympic Ice Dancer turned AZ home retailer, at CitiPond at Bryant Park; and a SustainAbility Display with more than 200 “green” gift, home and lifestyle products. For more information on all of these events, please go to nyigf.com.

The NYIGF is open to trade members only, not the general public. Please submit your request for a press badge, by January 26, at nyigf.com/press.

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 all there is to do and see in New York City, 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 85 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.

For more press inquiries, please contact Chris Heywood at 212.484.1270 or cheywood@nycgo.com.