Monday, February 15, 2010

NY Market Week Highlights

by Mary Gerlach

Earlier this month, the staff of Baby & Kids magazine set up shop in New York City for a few days. Trade shows are one of the most exciting aspects of our jobs as we get a chance to see products (and often times prototypes) before they hit store shelves the following season. Aside from new products, many of which you’ll find in the pages of Baby & Kids, show management and the industry as a whole celebrates milestones and releases big show news.

Here are few highlights from the show. For more coverage, look for my NY Market Week wrap-up report in the upcoming issue of Giftware News Plus. Sign up here to receive your complimentary subscription.



Associate editor Ashley Trent led the New Buyer Orientations during the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF). Ashley was joined by NYIGF’s Helen Overly. Helen, by her own account, has been in the industry in one of several capacities for countless years. Together, the two ladies answered questions from first-time buyers across the globe. For some, it was their first trade show before opening a shop and for others, NYIGF was their first stateside show.



Karen Wolfskehl (right), Baby & Kids' east coast sales rep, chats up industry associates at the Gift For Life The Stakes Are High fundraising events for DIFFA. The evening was a night of cocktails and camaraderie as buyers, manufacturers and show-management groups put business aside for a good cause. DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS is a large supporter of direct care for individuals living with HIV/AIDS as well as prevention education for at-risk populations.


Chris Collins, vice president and general manager of 7 W New York, is flanked by exhibitors for the ribbon cutting of the first ever NYC Baby & Kids Fair, a temporary juvenile show on the 11th floor.


Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president, announces Focus Forward 2013, NYIGF’s strategic planning, which will be implemented in stages starting with the Summer 2010 Fair and culminating in 2013. As part of the expansion, NYIGF will introduce Baby + Child division of juried, purpose-driven products for babies, toddlers and kids (through age 10), and their families. The range of featured products will include arts and crafts, books, music, toys, games, puzzles, dolls and plush, gear (diaper bags, stroller accessories and feeding accessories), wearables and accessories, layette, bedding accessories and blankets. Ultimately, Baby + Child will feature some 200 companies on Level One of the Javits.


Buyers found green inspiration in the SustainAbility Design for a better world display. Featuring a juried collection of eco-friendly, innovative design, the display highlighted sustiaable design in the lobby and detailed the companies behind the products.

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