Educational Seminars, Events for Winter NYIGF Revealed

More than 40 educational seminars, special events, displays and product awards will be offered for attendees and exhibitors during the winter 2013 New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF).

Four full days of seminars, covering topics such as design and color trends, social media, sustainability, and retail strategies such as merchandising, marketing and in-store events, will be presented during NYIGF. Industry and social events will include on-site receptions, off-site award ceremonies and a “Night on Broadway.”

Other special features include the return of the NYIGF Bookstore (sponsored by Artisan, a division of Workman Publishing), the SustainAbility: design for a better world display and introduction of a new NYIGF Design Project showcase. 

“NYIGF offers a full calendar of opportunities for buyers and suppliers to learn, network and ultimately grow their businesses,” said Christian Falkenberg, NYIGF director and GLM vice president. “We’re offering new trend information, introducing new business tools and presenting new features to inspire, educate and entertain.”

Education begins in advance of the market, with a free NYIGF Orientation webinar on Jan. 10. The session will offer an online tutorial of NYIGF’s layout and setup, as well as general tips for first-time visitors. 

Other sessions will explore color, design and directional trends, with confirmed seminars including: “Fashion Forward – How Apparel Trends Impact Home Design” (Jan. 26); “Color Pulse 2014: From Theory to Selection,” sponsored by IFDA (Jan. 28); “Made in America – A Catalyst for Innovation in Sustainability” (Jan. 28); “Visual Merchandising – In-Store and Online” (Jan. 28); and “Design Concept to Market: A Holistic Approach for Success” (Jan. 29).

Reflecting a growth in the business use of technology and social media, several sessions will address ways to incorporate and utilize these digital tools. In a first-of-its-kind social media session, Lindsay Anvik of SparkRebel will present “Social Media Tune-Up: An Interactive Assessment of Your Strategy” (Jan. 27) followed by individual consultations with seminar participants. 

In connection with the return of the NYIGF Bookstore, Workman Publishing will host a special breakfast session addressing “Book Selling – What’s Hot with Today’s Consumers?” (Jan. 27). 

A special seminar track complements the return of the Artisan Resource™, a new semiannual trade show running concurrently with NYIGF, which offers U.S.-based volume importers, direct import retailers and wholesalers the opportunity to meet with international artisanal producers. An “Importing 101” seminar will be offered Jan. 27-29 at Pier 92; and Keith Recker of Hand/Eye will moderate a panel on “Opportunities in the Global Handmade Marketplace” at Javits (Jan. 29). 

NYIGF 2013 runs Jan. 26-30 at New York’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94.