NYIGF Offers Exhibitor Training Sessions

NYIGF OFFERS EXHIBITOR TRAINING SESSIONS

BEFORE, DURING & AFTER WINTER 2011 MARKET

Right Angle Strategies Brings Veteran Insights to Informative Programming

A monthly series of "NYIGF Market Readiness" seminars will begin in October for exhibitors in the winter 2011 New York International Gift Fair^® (NYIGF^®). The series, which includes four webinars and one onsite session, addresses basic-to-advanced strategies for tradeshow success, including pre-show marketing, maximizing onsite sales opportunities, pre-show and onsite operations, and closing and generating sales post-show.
"We want to help NYIGF exhibitors maximize their investment in the market," said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. "These content-rich session, presented by industry veterans, will provide results-oriented action plans to our exhibitors."
The webinars will be produced jointly by NYIGF and Right Angle Strategies, a business strategy and coaching consultancy lead by gift and home industry veterans Stu Teller and Laura Blunt. As an added benefit, Right Angle Strategies will offer all webinar and onsite seminar participants free, 15-minute in-booth business consultations during the Fair.
"Even though I've been exhibiting at NYIGF for years now, I never assume that I've learned all there is to know," said Wilma Wabnitz of Wabnitz Editions, a long-time exhibitor in NYIGF's Accent on Design division.  "There is always something new to bring to your New York Market experience, which is why I chose to attend the summer 2010 webinars."
The first three pre-show webinars will focus on pre-show marketing, sales techniques and tradeshow operations. The fourth and final webinar, which will be held post-show, will address market follow-up. The cost per webinar is $10, unless otherwise noted, and registration is available through the NYIGF website.  (Note: the exact URL is www.nyigf.com/Exhibitors/PreShowPromotion/ExhibitorEducation.aspx.)
The first session, "Pre-show Marketing to Drive Your Sales," will be presented by Right Angle Strategies and PR expert Cathy Steel of Steel Associates. Topics will include pre-show direct marketing, advertising and public relations, telemarketing, onsite promotions and give-aways.  It will take place Thursday, October 14, from 2pm - 3:30pm (ET).
The second pre-show webinar, "How to Generate Sales," will be presented by Right Angle Strategies and Russ Jones of HomeStyle. The session will address attracting buyers and engaging their interest, creating captivating booth space, buyer interaction, and techniques to close the sale and obtain leads. It will take place Thursday, November 11, from 2:00pm - 3:30pm (ET).
The third pre-show webinar, "NYIGF - Operations Made Easy," will be produced by GLM and offered to NYIGF exhibitors for free. GLM's Operations staff will review the NYIGF set-up manual, addressing time-saving pre-show operations, set-up specifics and break-down instructions. It will take place Thursday, December 9, from 2:00pm - 3:30pm (ET).
The final, post-show webinar, "How to Manage Orders and Leads Generated," will cover closing sales, following up on leads, order and payment processing, and working with sales agencies. In addition, to the presentation by Right Angle Strategies, Adam Schrier of Whereoware.com will offer tips for maximizing post-show leads through the NYIGF Online Catalog Gallery. It will take place Thursday, February 10, from 2:00pm - 3:30pm (ET).
A recorded version of the post-show webinar, which was presented live at the conclusion of the August 2010 NYIGF, also is available for purchase.  The program costs $10 and can be ordered through the NYIGF website.  (Note: the exact URL is www.nyigf.com/Exhibitors/PreShowPromotion/ExhibitorEducation.aspx.)
"The post show seminar gave us access to seasoned players in the market to help us to better understand key issues we needed to think about," said Dan Droz of Slant, a first-time exhibitor in NYIGF's New York's Newest division.  "We received lots of good advice and new information."
The onsite session, "Ask the Experts - Business Strategies for Gift & Home Suppliers" is scheduled for Tuesday, February 1, from 8:00 - 9:00am, at the Javits Center. This informal and open forum exploration of business challenges and untapped opportunities will be lead by Right Angle Strategies, Adam Schrier of Whereoware.com, and Michael Lamarti of CRAFT Marketing. Attendees will be able to ask business-specific questions, and leave with actionable answers and informed advice from this panel which has over 50 years combined experience in the gift and home industries. Tickets for this session, which cost $25 onsite, or $20 in advance, are available online at www.nyigf.com/programs.
As an added bonus, Right Angle Strategies will offer free 15-minute consultations, available on a first-come-first-serve appointment basis, to all webinar and seminar participants. These one-on-one sessions will be conducted booth-to-booth at NYIGF during the winter 2011 market. To register, contact Stu@RightAngleStrategies.com. Information about Right Angle Strategies is available online at www.rightanglestrategies.com. 
NYIGF is the nation's premier gift, home and lifestyle marketplace, with 2,800 exhibiting companies featuring an extraordinary breadth and depth of design-driven home fashion products and complementary giftware.  Some 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 85 countries worldwide are expected.  
NYIGF runs Saturday, January 29, a very big day for Whom You Know!!!, through Thursday, February 3, 2011, at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94. Information and registration is available online at www.nyigf.com.