The Big Apple Shines in the Summer Season

The 141st semiannual New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) will return to Manhattan August 18–23, encompassing more than 590,000 square feet of exhibition space in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, the Javits North Pavilion, and Passenger Ship Piers 92 and 94. Members of the permanent show-room coalition of 225 Fifth Ave., 230 Fifth Ave., and 41 Madison Ave. will also open their doors, offering the latest resources to visiting buyers.

The New York International Gift Fair, produced by George Little Management (GLM), will feature more than 2,600 exhibitors in ten divisions, including Accent on Design, At Home, Floral & Garden Accessories, General Gift, Handmade, Just Kid-stuff, New & Distinctive Resources, Personal Accessories, Tabletop & Housewares, and The Museum Source. This summer's show will feature 16 international groups from countries in Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and the Far East. In addition to these groups, several companies from outside the United States will participate independently.

The Gift Fair will also feature an educational program comprised of ten seminars addressing key business topics, from gift-wrapping techniques to Web site creation. Attendees can partake of a retail tour, special discounted tickets to a Broadway show, and the 50th edition of Gifts & Dec's Merchandising Achievement Awards at the Plaza hotel.

Special Events

"Only in New York" retail tour. Saturday, August 18, and Tuesday, August 21, from 11:30 a.m.–4 p.m. See first hand what's selling and what's new in visual merchandising in some of New York's most renowned retailing districts. Tickets are $35 in advance/$40 on site, including lunch.

Gifts & Decorative Accessories 50th annual Merchandising Achievement Awards. Sunday, August 19, at the Plaza hotel. Enjoy cocktails and an elegant dinner with key retailers, manufacturers, sales reps, trade show organizers, and showroom management. After dinner, Gifts & Dec will present its 50th anniversary Merchandising Achievement Awards in store design, promotion, and visual merchandising. A special Industry Achievement Award will also be presented. Tickets for the event are $125 per person, or $1,000 for a table of ten. Send checks payable to Gifts & Decorative Accessories to the attention of Rachel Glasser, c/o Gifts & Dec, 345 Hudson St., New York 10014. The Merchandising Achievement Awards dinner is sponsored by GLM, and cosponsored by DMG World Media, the Dallas Market Center, Whereoware.com., Western Exhibitors, 225 Fifth Ave., 230 Fifth Ave., and 41 Madison Ave.

A Night on Broadway. Tuesday, August 21. See The Full Monty at a special price of $75 for Gift Fair attendees. Based on the Oscar-nominated British film, the Broadway play has been transplanted from England to upstate New York. Seating for the performance is limited, and non-refundable tickets will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Payment in full must accompany reservation.

Buyer Amenities

Broadway Giveaway. One Gift Fair 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, register at the Broadway Giveaway counter at the rear of the Galleria in the Javits Center. Restrictions apply.

The Concept Marketplace, an interactive exhibit that allows exhibitors and attendees to observe product offerings, will be on display in the Crystal Palace Lobby during the show.

Parking rebates of $5 will be given, August 18–22, for attendees who park at Piers 92 and 94.

Travel and hotel reservations can be arranged by calling Travel Planners at (800) 221-3531.

Show Info

Hours: The Galleria and Javits North Pavilion: August 18–21, 9:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; August 22, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Piers 92 and 94: August 18–21, 9:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; August 22, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Javits Center: August 19–22, 9:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; August 23, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Addresses: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, 655 W. 34th St., New York 10001; Passenger Ship Piers 92 and 94, 55th St and 12th Ave.

Call: (800) 272-SHOW

www.nyigf.com

The showrooms at 225 Fifth Ave. will be open for the Gift Show and Preview Days August 16–23, featuring a lobby display with and a Blue Ribbon Product Exhibition focusing on the best products 225 has to offer. Buyers can also see the latest products on the building's new onscreen presentation, "Buzz of the Building."

Special Events

NOMAD Orientation, at 9 a.m. every morning of the show. Familiarize yourself with the permanent showroom district North of Madison Square Park in Manhattan.

Ice cream will be served each day from 1–5 p.m. to help beat the heat. Also try sorbets, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and popcorn.

Fashion S.O.S. Select showrooms will offer Saturday Only Specials from 2–6 p.m., August 19. 225 will sponsor a happy hour with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.

Sizzling Salsa Party, Monday, August 21, at 8 p.m. See the showrooms after hours while enjoying margaritas and spicy snacks on each floor. Salsa dancing lessons will be offered for those who really want to shake it up.

Buyer Amenities

Nylon tote bags and buyer journals will once again be provided to help buyers get around the market.

The Buyer's Lounge offers snacks and refreshments as well as trade magazines.

Complimentary shuttles to and from the Javits Center will be available.

Show Info

Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m., except August 19, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; and August 21, 9 a.m.–8 p.m.

Address: 225 Fifth Ave., New York 10010

Call: (800) 235-3512

www.225-fifth.com

230 Fifth Ave. will open its doors August 19–23, from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. for the summer New York International Gift Show. Amenities include shuttle service to and from the Javits Center, and complimentary continental breakfast served in the buyer's lounge every morning. In the afternoon, coffee, iced tea, lemonade, and snacks will be available in the buyer's lounge.

Show Info

Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m., August 19–23

Address: 230 Fifth Ave., New York 10010

Call: (800) 698-5617

The New York Merchandise Mart at 41 Madison Ave. provides yet another venue for buyers in town for the Gift Fair. The building offers a variety of tabletop and giftware products in its permanent showrooms, and will participate with the other gift buildings in providing shuttle service to and from the Javits Center. 41 Madison also offers a buyer's lounge to give attendees a chance to relax during the busy shopping day.

Show Info

Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Address: 41 Madison Ave., New York 10010

Call: (212) 686-1203

www.41madison.com

Sunday, August 19

• New Buyer Orientation. 9–10 a.m. Tickets are $15 in advance/$20 on site, and include a continental breakfast beginning at 8:30 a.m.
• "Easy But Extraordinary Gift Wrapping for Retailers and E-Tailers." Noon–1 p.m. Speaker: Arona Khan. Tickets are $20 in advance/$25 on site, and include a boxed lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m.
• "Creating Customer Loyalty and Higher Profits." 3–4 p.m. Speaker: Sue Hershkowitz-Coore. Tickets are $15 in advance/$20 on site; includes refreshments.

Monday, August 20

• "Methods and Materials of Display." 9–10 a.m. Panel Moderator: Matthew Goodman. Tickets are $15 in advance/$20 on site, and include a continental breakfast beginning at 8:30 a.m.
• "Creating a Stellar Web Site." Noon–1 p.m. Speakers: Eric Rosenfeld and David Weiss. Tickets are $15 in advance/$20 on site; includes refreshments.
• "Where Are We Heading?" 2–3 p.m. Speaker: Tony DeMasi. Tickets are $15 in advance/$20 on site.

Tuesday, August 21

• "Happening Holidays…Cashing in on the Non-Traditional." 10–11 a.m. Tickets are $15 in advance/$20 on site.