Changing of the Guard

This month I occupy a new office — one with windows! — as I don the mantle of “Editor-in-Chief” of Gifts & Decorative Accessories. The weight of responsibility for directing the publication to which I have devoted myself for the past 23 years is a heavy one, but I am up to the task. After all, I have learned from the best, having served under and been mentored by the three previous Editors-in-Chief: Phyllis Sweed, who sat at the helm of this magazine for more than 30 years and set the editorial standards to which we still adhere and the broad-ranging, in-depth coverage for which this publication is known; Quinn Halford, who guided the publication during its transition from a small family-owned publication to a corporate property and through the difficult post 9-11 period, introducing a new look while maintaining the essence expected of the leading industry publication; and Maria Weiskott, who in her tenure leap-frogged G&DA into the Internet Age, and reinforced its reputation as a leader in the gift industry with our “Direct from Market” reports, “DoubleTake” market analyses, among other electronic initiatives.

As I look ahead to the Centennial of this magazine in 2017, I have no immediate plans to make any drastic changes — it's not “broke” so I don't plan to fix it! Nevertheless, there's always room for improvement, so there will be changes over time as dictated by a need to respond to changing tastes and an evolving marketplace. In the meantime, I plan, with the help of our experienced editors, Bessie Nestoras and Meredith Schwartz, art director, Miguel Bravo, and contributors, to continue to bring to you the fine editorial product, which you have come to expect every month.

To that end, in this issue, we present topical features: “Green Speak” addresses eco-friendly jargon, and “Cause for Celebration” looks at the variety of giftwares tied to charitable causes that give it that “feel-good/do-good” quality and tie-in promotional opportunities for retailers. We also present profiles of this year's Retailer Excellence Awards finalists and Industry Award recipients — all of whom will be honored this month at a gala at New York's Marriott Marquis during the New York International Gift Fair. This is the 57th year of the Retailer Excellence Awards (formerly Merchandising Achievement Awards), recognizing the great things that ordinary gift retailers with vision and determination do to build their businesses. This is the “stuff” which keeps this great gift industry interesting and ever-moving forward; this is what has kept me here for all these years. And I look forward to many more.

P.S. To all my industry friends and colleagues who have taken the time to send me congratulatory messages, I thank you.