NYIGF Expands Several Categories for Winter Market

As a result of greater demand from companies seeking access to the New York market, as well as subtle shifts to the exhibit floor layout, the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) is on track to sell out the winter 2013 edition, Jan. 26-30, at New York’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94. 

There will be increased numbers of new, handmade and gourmet housewares resources at the coming market – the last before NYIGF’s “Focus Forward 2013” strategic reorganization debuts in summer 2013 with the introduction of four new, comprehensive market collections: Home, Craft, Lifestyle and New.

“We’re seeing increased demand for exhibit space at NYIGF – from both first-time participants as well as returning companies seeking larger presence on the exhibit floor,” said Christian Falkenberg, NYIGF director and GLM vice president. “At the same time, many suppliers in the annual Gourmet Housewares Show at NYIGF are seeking year-round exposure to the thousands of retailers who shop NYIGF.”

NYIGF’s Tabletop & Housewares division will expand with a number of leading suppliers, including Aladdin, DKB, Joseph Joseph, Lifetime Brands, Nespresso and Oggi Corp., returning from the summer 2012 Gourmet Housewares Show. These exhibitors cite continuity of exposure at both semiannual markets and continued access to NYIGF’s 35,000 retailers as reasons for their decision to exhibit semiannually at NYIGF.

With an expected 10 percent expansion, the largest growth will be in NYIGF’s New York’s Newest. This cross-category collection of companies new to NYIGF will now showcase 250 exhibitors in the Javits Center’s Hall 1E.

In keeping with growing consumer interest in handmade craft, particularly for global resources, NYIGF’s Handmade Global Design will increase its exhibit space by 5 percent for the winter edition. 

This expansion, which is made possible through completion of renovations to the Javits Center’s Level 4 Galleria, will showcase 150 handcrafted global import resources with a focus on good design, traditional craftsmanship and community-building through global artisan workshops.

Following the successful summer 2012 launch of Artisan Resource, a first-of-its-kind artisan production-sourcing event for U.S.-based volume importers, direct import retailers and wholesalers, the area will more than double in size to utilize 9,000 net square feet of exhibit space at Pier 92. 

Running concurrently with NYIGF, the second semiannual edition of Artisan Resource is expected to showcase a curated collection of overseas artisan enterprises offering handmade production resources and products, at export terms from country of origin, from more than 20 countries.

Demand from both returning participants and new exhibitors will also result in “sold-out” status for NYIGF’s At Home division, which presents 300 home furnishings suppliers at Pier 94 and 200 home fashions suppliers at the Javits Center. A sold-out EX•TRACTS will continue to expand the number of natural and organic resources presented by its 100 innovative and emerging personal care suppliers.

NYIGF’s other divisions – many of which are also expected to be sold-out for winter 2013 – are Baby & Child, General Gift and Studio, as well as the juried Accent on Design and Handmade Designer Maker. In total, NYIGF presents its 2,800-plus exhibitors in 10 categorized divisions, which are defined either by product category or by design aesthetic.