Just Like Auld Lang Syne

After you've taken that cup o'kindness, the new year's buying season starts in the city that never sleeps.

Edited by Matthew Kalash -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 1/1/2001

Happy New Year! Now that the ball has dropped, the lang has syned, and the confetti has been swept under the rug, there's just enough time to pull on your galoshes and get back to New York for the winter gift markets, January 20-25, 2001. It'll be just like old times, as buyers shop for the best the gift industry has to offer at venues all over the city, including the 70th year of the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF), with 638,000 net square feet of exhibition space on the West Side of Manhattan island. The permanent showrooms at 225 Fifth Ave., 230 Fifth Ave., and 41 Madison will open their doors to old friends and welcome new ones with traditional hospitality and a multitude of ideas for replenishing inventory after the busy holiday season.

NYIGF

With the introduction of 200 new exhibiting companies, the 140th semiannual New York International Gift Fair-January 20-25, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 88, 90, 92, and 94-will expand to a total of 2,800 exhibitors in 11 easy-to-shop special sections: Accent on Design, At Home, Floral and Garden Accessories, General Gift, Handmade, Just Kidstuff, New and Distinctive Resources, New York's Newest, Personal Accessories, Tabletop and Homewares, and the Museum Source. According to a statement from show producer George Little Management Inc. (GLM), tabletop products, textiles, and portable lighting will continue to dominate the gift fair's 5,000 lines of gift, garden, and home accessories. The fair will once again feature a diverse mix of merchandise from around the world, including 23 international government-sponsored groups from Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and the Middle East. The winter market will also feature an extensive roster of educational programs, and an array of special events and prizes unique to New York.

SPECIAL EVENTS

The Only in New York retail tour gives attendees the opportunity to see what's hot in merchandise and what's new in visual presentation during a guided tour of some of the most exciting retail stores in the Big Apple. January 20, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets are $35 in advance/$40 on site, and include a boxed lunch.

Only in New York-A Night on Broadway. See the Tony Award-winning musical Kiss Me, Kate at the Martin Beck Theatre, Tuesday, January 23. Curtain goes up at 8 p.m. NYIGF will offer tickets at a special price of $70, but seating for the performance is limited, and non-refundable tickets will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Full payment must accompany reservation.

BUYER AMENITIES

Broadway Giveaway. One lucky attendee will win a $150 gift certificate to a New York restaurant and two tickets to the Broadway show of their choice. For a chance to win, attendees can register at the Broadway Giveaway counter located at the rear of the Galleria in the Javits Center.

Pier Travel Prize. Visit Piers 88, 90, 92, and 94, and register to win two airline tickets to anywhere in the United States or the Virgin Islands, plus two nights in a deluxe hotel, compliments of Travel Planners Inc. To enter, complete a Pier questionnaire available at the registration desks.

Regional Gift Shows Preview Display. This showcase highlights products from the Boston Gift Show, Portland Gift Show, Seattle Gift Show, and Washington Gift Show.

$5 parking rebates will be available during show hours, January 20-24, at Piers 88, 90, 92, and 94.

Travel accommodations can be made by calling Travel Planners Inc. at (800) 221-3531 or (212) 532-1660.

SHOW INFO

Addresses: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, 655

W. 34th St. New York 10001; Passenger Ship Terminal, 55th St. and 12th Ave., New York 10019.

Hours: January 20, Piers 88, 90, 92, 94, Galleria, and North Pavilion, 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; January 21-22, All sites, 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; January 23, Javits Center, Piers 88, 90, 92, 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Pier 94, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; January 24, Javits Center, 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Piers 88, 90, and 92, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Galleria and Pavilion,

9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; January 25, Javits Center, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Call: (800) 272-SHOW.

www.glmshows.com

225 Fifth Avenue

225 opens its doors for Preview Days, January 18-20, to give buyers a chance to peruse the showrooms before the markets open. Buyers are invited to take in the warm, cozy atmosphere at 225 all through Preview Days and the Gift Show, January 18-25, where the theme is "There's No Place Like Home." 225 will offer a number of amenities to make buyers feel right at home in New York, including hot cocoa and fresh baked cookies in the lobby each afternoon.

The lobby display will highlight trends for the upcoming year, and a list of show-room specials and promotions will also be available at the front desk.

SPECIAL EVENTS

The Open Till 8 party. Browse 225's showrooms while enjoying food and live entertainment on each floor. January 22.

Gift basket raffle. Two buyers will win gift baskets filled with product from the building. To enter, buyers can leave a business card at the front desk during Preview Days, January 18-20, 3 p.m.

Shop the Showrooms raffle. Two buyers will win $500 gift certificates for merchandise at 225. January 18 and 20, 3 p.m.

BUYER AMENITIES

Free breakfast each morning from 8:30-10 a.m. Coupons are available at the front desk.

Nylon tote bags and sturdy buyer journals will be given to each buyer who visits 225 during Preview Days, January 18-20.

Shuttle service will run between 225 and the Javits Center every 10-15 minutes from 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m., January 20-25.

The buyers lounge in suite 505 will serve mulled cider and popcorn each afternoon during the market.

Parking rebates of $20 during Preview Days and $5 during the rest of the market will be issued.

Special hotel rates are available by calling 225's buyer consultants at (800) 235-3512.

SHOW INFO

Hours: January 18-25, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., except January 22, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Address: 225 Fifth Ave., New York 10010.

Call: (212) 684-3200, ext. 290, or (800) 235-3512.

www.225-fifth.com

230 Fifth Avenue

The New York Market-center will also be open to NYIGF attendees during the gift market, January 21-25. Buyers can find refuge from the hectic pace of the market in 230's buyers lounge, in the rear lobby of the building. There will be complimentary continental breakfasts in the lounge, as well as afternoon snacks, will be served throughout the market week.

SHOW INFO

Hours: January 21-25,9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Address: 230 Fifth Ave., New York 10001.

Call: (212) 532-4555.

41 Madison Ave

41 Madison Avenue, home of the New York Merchandise Mart, will open its permanent showrooms, January 21-25, for buyers to peruse during the winter market. 41 Madison displays primarily tabletop and giftware merchandise, and offers several amenities, including a restaurant and lounge within the building. In addition, 41 Madison will join with 225 Fifth Ave. and 230 Fifth Ave. to provide shuttle services between all of the major venues at the January market.

SHOW INFO

Hours: January 21-25, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Address: 41 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010.

Call: (212) 686-1203

www.41madison.com

NYIGF SEMINARS

All NYIGF seminars will be held in the Javits Center, room 1A-0203.

Sunday, January 21

• 9-10 a.m. New Buyer Orientation. Speakers: Helen Overly, GLM; Randy Forester, Studio 333; Nicole Laza Laub, House of Prill.

• Noon-1:30 p.m. "E-tailing From the Ground Up." Speaker: Tabitha Bowling, GLM. Fee: $20 in advance/$25 on site, includes a boxed lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m.

• 3-4 p.m. "The Trendmeister's 2001 Hit List." Fee: $15 in advance/$20 on site, includes complimentary refreshments.

Monday, January 22

• 9-10 a.m. "Secrets of Personalizing a Corporate Gift Program."

• Speaker: Yvonne Evilsizor, designer. Fee: $15 in advance/$20 on site, includes continental breakfast beginning at 8:30 a.m.

• Noon-1 p.m. "Service With a Smile and Beyond." Speaker: Dee Gruenig, Posh Impressions. Fee: $20 in advance/$25 on site, includes boxed lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m.

• 3-4 p.m. "Store Planning, Design, and Display." Speaker: Linda Cahan, Cahan & Co. and Gifts & Dec contributing editor. Fee: $15 in advance/$20 on site, includes complimentary refreshments. All attendees will receive GLM's Display and Merchandising Handbook.

Tuesday, January 23

• 9-10 a.m. "Promote Your Store on a Shoestring Budget." Fee: $15 in advance/$20 on site, includes continental breakfast, 8:30 a.m.