With a focus on sustainability, design trends and smart retail strategies, a comprehensive schedule of educational programming will roll out during the 155th semi-annual edition of the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF), August 16-21, 2008, at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Metropolitan Pavilion and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94. In addition, several after-hours networking events and exciting promotions will be offered, including a night on Broadway and the annual Retailer Excellence Awards.

"Market participants will have full access to programming which extends the value of their investment in NYIGF," said Dorothy Belshaw, GLM senior vice president and NYIGF director. "Dynamic seminars will offer recession-proofing business strategies, and after-hours social events will provide networking opportunities among the vibrancy of New York City."

Educational Seminars
Beginning on August 16 with an "NYIGF Orientation," over a dozen educational sessions will be offered, addressing a wide variety of topics affecting retailers. Individual sessions will cover trend forecasts in color, design and beauty products, while others will present market research on home accessory consumers and the juvenile market. All seminars, with the exception of the NYIGF Orientation sessions, require payment, with discounts for advance registration. Complete details and registration are available online at www.nyigf.com/programs.

To help orient newcomers to the Fair, GLM also has partnered with Giftware News magazine to offer an "NYIGF Orientation" each morning to offer new retailers ideas to help them shop the Fair most efficiently and effectively.

Market demographics will be presented in "Sneak Preview! HGTV Viewer Survey Results," sponsored by Home Accents Today, and "Mom Style. Kid Culture." presented by Cookie magazine. Retail strategies for gourmet products will be covered in "Six Steps to Successful Selling - For Kitchenware and More!" presented by The Gourmet Retailer.

Sustainability and environmental issues will be the unifying theme in several programs, including "Doing Well & Doing Good - Sustainable Sourcing and Product Development," "Global SustainAbility Standards - Worldwide Efforts and the Impact on the U.S.," moderated by Metropolis magazine, and "Stop the Greenwash - How to Verify SustainAbility," moderated by Treehugger.com.

In connection with Home Textiles Market Week, two home-fashion-focused seminars are scheduled: "Fashioning the Color Forecasts," sponsored by IFDA (International Furnishings & Design Association); and "Product Pulse: Top-Performing Trends for the Home," presented by Accessory Merchandising and Home Fashion Forecast.

Special Events
All NYIGF participants are entitled to join in a number of on-site events and after-hours activities taking place during Market week which take advantage of all that New York City has to offer, including "A Night on Broadway," and the opportunity to win New York Mets tickets. Complete program details, schedules, pricing and registration information are available online at www.nyigf.com/programs.

On August 17 and18, Ina Garten, acclaimed Food Network host of the Barefoot Contessa, and New York Times top-selling cookbook author, will make a celebrity appearance. From 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., Garten will be offering product tasting from the Barefoot Contessa Pantry line in the Stonewall Kitchen Booth, # 7477.

On Saturday, August 16, at 7:00 p.m., GLM, 7 West 34th Street, 230 Fifth Avenue and House Beautiful will celebrate Home Textiles Market Week with an "ANKASA Open House;" and on Tuesday, August 19, at 8:00 p.m., GLM will offer specially priced tickets for "A Night on Broadway featuring In The Heights."

On Sunday, August 17, the 57th Annual Retailer Excellence Awards will take place at the Marriott Marquis. Presented by Gifts & Decorative Accessories, these prestigious awards recognize excellence in seven categories of retailing and individual achievement. Tickets are available through www.giftsanddec.com.

Display
SustainAbility: design for a better world, a special display showcasing environmentally conscious and socially responsible products crafted from sustainable, recycled or renewable resources, will return to the Javits Center throughout the NYIGF. The display will be curated by Ilene Shaw of Shaw and Co! Productions.

This August, SustainAbility will examine worldwide efforts that have an immediate and measurable impact on the health of the planet, explore which countries are supporting ecological efforts and which manufacturers have balanced 21st century technology with eco-friendly means and ways, and demonstrate how these humanitarian goals are furthered through commercial design and activity.

Promotions
During NYIGF, GLM will offer two special promotions for buyers at the Metropolitan Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 & 94. Two free round-trip airline tickets will be awarded to one buyer who visits the At Home division, and two buyers visiting New York's Newest division will win free tickets to the New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves game on Tuesday, August 19. Complete details and rules will be available online at www.nyigf.com after May 1.

NYIGF participants are also eligible for a free 14-day trial to ZAGAT.com to access Zagat Ratings & Reviews for over 30,000 restaurants, attractions and accommodations in New York City.