4 March 1999: The 136th semi-annual New York International Gift Fair, the US“ largest gift and decorative accessories market, presented buyers and exhibitors with several introductions during the Fai…
4 March 1999: The 136th semi-annual New York International Gift Fair, the US“ largest gift and decorative accessories market, presented buyers and exhibitors with several introductions during the Fair. The fair took place at the Jacob Javits Center in New York from 30 January – 4 February 1999. George Little Management, Inc. (GLM), the organizers of the show, officially launched GLMmarketplace.com – an electronic marketplace service – to the gift industry, with an “overwhelming” response from both buyers and suppliers. In addition, the newly constructed Javits North Pavilion housed the Handmade division. The structure, built by GLM in cooperation with the Javits Center last Autumn, received a positive response from attendees and exhibitors as an ideal exhibit area, GLM said. The total buyer attendance was 48,749 and there were 2,600 exhibiting companies spread over 593,801 net square feet. As part of the buyer incentive progamme, The Club GLM Lounge welcomed over 250 VIP buyers – retailers who have attended 10 consecutive Fairs, or have been nominated by exhibitors – offering a comfortable lounge area to store personal items, have a complimentary beverage and make phone calls, while the Javits North Pavilion, home to Handmade, treated the first 300 buyers to a free tote bag. Various prizes were also given out to buyers. According to GLM, international participation continued to be strong this year with 16 countries hosting international-government-sponsored Pavilions and 62 independent exhibitors from outside the United States. International pavillions were organized by the following countries: Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, and United Kingdom. The Accent on Design Awards were also presented during the fair, recognizing five of the nearly 200 companies in the division for design excellence. Winners were chosen by the Accent on Design selection committee on the basis of creativity, originality, quality and design. The 137th edition of the semi-annual New York International Gift Fair will take place 14-19 August 1999 at the Jacob Javits Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers. The fair will again feature 10 divisions, including Accent on Design, At Home, General Gift, Just Kidstuff, The Museum Source, Handmade, Table top and Homewares, Personal Accessories, New & Distinctive Resources and Floral & Garden Accessories. For Exhibitor and Attendee Information, please contact: George Little Management, Inc. Ten Bank Street White Plains, NY 10606-1954 Telephone (914) 421-3200, Fax (914) 948-6180. Additional information may be obtained by visiting GLM“s web site at www.glmshows.com.