8 of 10 of the show’s divisions were sold out

The summer 2010 New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®) – the largest edition since summer 2008--attracted more than 33,500 attendees from all 50 states , a 6.5 percent increase over last year.

In all the show, which ran August 14-19 at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal’s Piers 92 & 94, featured more than 2,800 exhibitors in 534,000 net square feet of exhibit space.

NYIGF included 650 new exhibitors, with 400 participating for the first time and 250 returning after a hiatus. In total, 46 countries were represented, with a20 international pavilions, including first-time participation by international government-sponsored delegations from Argentina, Egypt, South Korea and Thailand.

Eight of NYIGF’s 10 divisions were sold out for summer 2010 market, with the most notable growth in At Home, Tabletop & Housewares and Handmade®. “Sunday was my best day in all my many years at the show, and about half the orders were from new buyers,” said Michael Wainwright of Michael Wainwright Inc., a Tabletop & Housewares exhibitor, in a show statement. “I also saw more international buyers than I’ve ever seen in the past.”

Retailer attendance from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut was especially strong, and the show attracted buyers from Canada, Japan, Central and South America and the European Union . About 85 countries were represented at the summer 2010 market.

To help buyers find the products they’re looking for, the show’s organizers, GLM, invested in creating a more robust search engine on search.nyigf.com. “…Serious product sourcing and lead generation began before market officially opened, as some 18,000 unique buyers visited the site to view product, set appointments and submit orders with participating exhibitors,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president.” In the week leading up to NYIGF alone, the search engine facilitated 44,000 buyer referrals to more than 2,600 exhibitor websites.”

Among highlights of the summer 2010 market were the debut of a new Baby & Child division with 150 particpating companies.

Other notable market activities included the presentation of the 3rd semi-annual Eco Choice Awards, which recognize the most innovative and environmentally responsible products within NYIGF’s SustainAbility: design for a better world® exhibit. Product innovation was also recognized in other categories of the NYIGF: EX∙TRACTS® Best New Product Awards and the Home Textiles Market Week® Best New Product Awards. Design bloggers selected their top product picks in the Accent on Design® “Bloggers’ Choice Awards.” Winners of these awards, as well as the Accent on Design Awards are listed online at www.nyigf.com/TheShow/AwardsandPromotions.aspx.

The winter 2011 edition of the New York International Gift Fair will run Saturday, January 29, through Thursday, February 3, 2011, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal’s Piers 92 & 94. For more information, visit www.nyigf.com.