NYIGF® EXPANDS SEVERAL CATEGORIES FOR WINTER 2013 MARKET Increased Number of New, Handmade & Gourmet Housewares Resources

As a result of both greater demand from companies seeking access to the New York market, as well as subtle shifts to the exhibit floor layout, the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®) is on track to sell-out the winter 2013 edition, January 26-30, 2013, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 & 94. There will be increased numbers of new, handmade and gourmet housewares resources at the coming market – the last before NYIGF’s “Focus Forward 2013” strategic reorganization debuts in summer 2013 with introduction of four new, comprehensive market collections: Home, Craft, Lifestyle and New.

“We’re seeing increased demand for exhibit space at NYIGF – from both first-time participants as well as returning companies seeking larger presence on the exhibit floor,” said Christian Falkenberg, NYIGF director and GLM vice president. “At the same time, many suppliers in the annual Gourmet Housewares Show at NYIGF are seeking year-round exposure to the thousands of retailers who shop NYIGF.”

With expected 10% expansion, the largest growth will be in NYIGF’s New York’s Newest, a cross-category collection of companies new to the market. This cross-category collection of companies new to NYIGF now will showcase 250 exhibitors in the Javits Center’s Hall 1E. New York’s Newest relocated from Pier 92 to the Javits Center in August 2012.

In keeping with growing consumer interest in handmade craft, particularly for global resources, NYIGF’s Handmade® Global Design will increase its exhibit space by five percent for the winter 2013 edition. This expansion, which is made possible through completion of renovations to the Javits Center’s Level 4 Galleria, will showcase 150 handcrafted global import resources with a focus on good design, traditional craftsmanship, and community building through global artisan workshops.

Following the successful summer 2012 launch of Artisan Resource™, a first-of-its-kind artisan production-sourcing event for U.S.-based volume importers, direct import retailers and wholesalers, will more than double in size to utilize 9,000 net square feet of exhibit space at Pier 92. Running concurrently with NYIGF, the second semi-annual edition of Artisan Resource is expected to showcase a curated collection of overseas artisan enterprises offering handmade production resources and products, at export terms from country of origin, from more than 20 countries.

NYIGF’s Tabletop & Housewares division also will expand with a number of leading Gourmet Housewares Show,exhibitors,including Aladdin, DKB, Joseph Joseph, Lifetime Brands, Nespresso and Oggi Corporation, returning to exhibit in the winter 2013 NYIGF. These exhibitors cite continuity of exposure at both semi-annual markets, and continued access to NYIGF’s 35,000 retailers as reasons for their decision to exhibit semi-annually at NYIGF.

Demand from both returning participants and new exhibitors also will result in "sold out" status for NYIGF’s At Home division, which presents 300 home furnishings suppliers at Pier 94 and 200 home fashions suppliers at the Javits Center. A sold-out EX·TRACTS® will continue to expand the number of natural and organic resources presented by its 100 innovative and emerging personal care suppliers.

NYIGF’s other divisions – many of which also are expected to be sold out for winter 2013 – are Baby & Child, General Gift andStudio, as well as the juried Accent on Design and Handmade Designer Maker. In total, NYIGF presents its 2,800+ exhibitors in 10 carefully-categorized divisions, which are defined either by product category or by design aesthetic.

Beyond exhibits, a full schedule of educational seminars and after-hours entertainment will be offered for NYIGF participants. More than 40 sessions will address current trends in color and design, social media, sustainability and retail strategies. NYIGF’s top-notch faculty of presenters includes representatives from leading trade and consumer publications, as well as support from industry associations including ART (Accessories Resource Team), CRAFT (Craft Retailers & Artists for Tomorrow), Day Spa Association and IFDA (International Furnishings & Design Association).

Special events will include NYIGF’s popular “Night on Broadway,” featuring specially-priced tickets for the Monday, January 30, performance of NEWSIES, the two-time Tony Award winning musical; Gift For Life’s 21st Anniversary “Party for Life,” on Sunday, January 27, at the Central Park Boathouse; and the 10th Annual Housewares Design Awards on Tuesday, January 29, at the Marriott Marquis. Complete information and registration is available online at www.nyigf.com/programs.

Special programs and displays returning this winter include SustainAbility: design for a better world®, a curated exhibit of “green” gift, home and lifestyle products; the Baby & Child “Peek A Boo” showcase; and the return of the NYIGF Bookstore, sponsored by Artisan, a division of Workman Publishing, featuring a wide selection of both new releases and best-sellers.

NYIGF will spotlight product innovation with awards in several categories: Accent on Design® Awards, Accent on DesignBloggers’ Choice Awards, Baby & Child Best New Product Awards, Eco Choice Awards, EX•TRACTS Best New Product Awards and Home Textiles Market Week® Best New Product Awards. In addition, the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) NY Metro Chapter will also recognize “Best of the Best NYIGF Winter 2013 Awards” to select At Home exhibitors.

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. The winter market takes place Saturday January 26, through Wednesday, January 30, 2013, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94. Some 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 80 countries worldwide are expected. Information and registration is available online at http://www.nyigf.com/.