A considerable selection of new merchandise, strategically categorized among nine product divisions, lured 36,000 attendees to the summer edition of the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center; Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94; and Metropolitan Pavilion. Participants in the show's 155th semi-annual edition included buyers from all 50 states and more than 75 countries, as well as over 2,900 exhibitors, 400 of which were first-time participants in the Fair.

Many exhibitors, particularly those who introduced new, fashion-forward products, reported record order-writing; far exceeding earlier summer shows. Others noted the geographic diversity of attendees, with new visitors hailing from South America and Asia, in particular.

"With the continued refinement of our categories, buyers are finding it easier to source and shop by vertical product category. They're finding new, on-trend products at this market, and spending more time on the floor," said Christian Falkenberg, NYIGF manager. "Order-writing was steady for most exhibitors, with anecdotal reports of retailers earmarking budgets for end-of-season buying in New York."

Among refinements for the summer 2008 NYIGF was the introduction of a "designer/maker" designation to better distinguish between artisan and production craft in NYIGF's Handmade division. "The show's been fantastic -- our best show in seven or eight years," said glass artist Amanda Brisbane. "We've been meeting new people as well as seeing our existing clients, and we've seen retailers from all over, including the Middle East."

Within the Tabletop & Housewares division, luxury tabletop and home entertaining lines were expanded and showcased. "For the first few days, there was not a moment when we didn't have three or four customers in our booth at one time," said first-time exhibitor Andrew Menceles, president of Cosmoda. "Not only did we see retailers from Canada, Europe and all over the U.S., we saw high-level decision-makers. This show put us in front of the right kind of clients, and we wrote a ton of business."

A+ the Young Designers' Platform in Accent on Design welcomed several new emerging design talents. "This show has surpassed my expectations, and was the perfect follow-up to ICFF," said contemporary home accessory and furniture designer Stanley Ruiz. "I've had a great response from upscale retailers like Takashimaya, Barneys and MOMA; cool small stores, like Propel in San Francisco; and a major distributor from Milan."

NYIGF also continued its commitment to sustainability within the gift and home industries by presenting SustainAbility: design for a better world -- a special display and three-part seminar program -- for the third consecutive show. The display featured a record 175 "green" products and producers, all selected based on materials, production process or business philosophy. Seminar sessions, which were presented by Metropolis Magazine, Treehugger.com and Interior Design, addressed verification of sustainability, sustainable sourcing and product development, and global sustainability efforts. The exhibit and seminar series will be presented again at future editions of NYIGF.

The winter 2009 edition of the New York International Gift Fair will run Jan. 25-29, 2009, at the Javits Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 90, 92 and 94. During the winter market, all NYIGF exhibits will open on Sunday, Jan. 25, and close on Thursday, Jan. 29 -- a one-time date pattern change connected with venue availability.

Other changes planned for the winter market are expansion and relocation (from the Metropolitan Pavilion to Pier 90) of New York's Newest, a "launching pad" for the market's newest resources across all categories. Growth is expected in several other divisions as well, with expansion planned for EX•TRACTS: New discoveries in beauty and wellness; the Details showcase area within Personal Accessories; and the Accent on Tabletop showcase area bridging Tabletop & Housewares and Accent on Design.

For more information, visit www.nyigf.com.