Expanded resources and the addition of a new co-located event signaled a vibrant, thriving marketplace when GLM presented the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), National Stationery Show, SURTEX and the newly launched Creative & Lifestyle Arts tradeshow at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Held from May 18-22, the four-show format greatly enhanced visitation, participation and marketing opportunities for all involved.
“Energy, innovation, technology and design were the buzz words at this market,” said Kevin O’Keefe, senior vice president, GLM. “In line with GLM’s expansion strategy, each of the shows is on a path toward growth and revitalization, touching new sectors and attracting key principals and notable up-and-comers.”
The furniture fair tradeshow offered several new show-floor features and 230 first-time exhibitors while expanding into Javits North for its 25th annual edition.
Among highlights, new “Material Makers” illustrated the influence of digital design and fabrication technology on production capabilities and showcased a special presentation from British design and manufacturing company Tom Dixon and Trumpf – the largest manufacturer of fabricating equipment and industrial lasers in North America. The African & African-Caribbean Design Diaspora, an initiative of the British European Design Group, had a notable presence, calling attention to the multi-disciplinary talent emerging from African and African-Caribbean craft traditions.
“This year, the ICFF was bigger and better in every way. It was a very optimistic show – more exhibitors and more attendees,” said Jerry Helling of Bernhardt Design. “The heightened focus on educational exhibits featuring how products are actually fabricated enriched the entire exhibitors and attendee experience – a winning combination of doing business and learning, too.”
SURTEX welcomed 84 new exhibitors and expanded its role in meeting product development needs with the debut of Atelier, focused on world-renowned textile design studios offering the most trend-forward surface designs – prints, patterns, repeats and documents. In addition to this year’s 270 exhibiting studios, agents and licensors of art and design, the SURTEX “Trend Theatre” and conference program drew record crowds of manufacturers, retailers and design-industry professionals.
The National Stationery Show featured hundreds of new product launches from its 800 exhibitors, and welcomed more than 200 new companies to this thriving industry. The stationary show introduced an extensive VIP-outreach program targeting new retailers and those with lapsed attendance. The program provided out-of-state retailers with car service between airports and the convention center, and offered car service to and from retail stores within the five boroughs of New York City.
The premiere of Creative & Lifestyle Arts, a new tradeshow serving the East Coast’s $18 billion art, crafting and creative hobby marketplace, featured some 30 exhibitors, including industry leaders 3M, Plaid and I Love to Create.
“The scope of this market touches every part of the supply chain. These events are integral to GLM’s mission of improving the flow of specialty merchandise, and we intend to build on this year’s positive momentum as we plan for 2014,” said O’Keefe. “Next year, market-goers can expect a range of major new features and a new launch to be announced shortly.”
Next year’s scheduled show dates are: Creative & Lifestyle Arts, May 18-21; ICFF, May 17-20; National Stationery Show, May 18-21; and SURTEX, May 18-20. Collectively, the four events will feature 1,750 exhibitors throughout 292,000 net square feet and attract 41,500 attendees, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
GLM currently produces 22 tradeshows serving industries as diverse as giftware, home furnishings, social stationery, home textiles, tabletop, gourmet housewares, contemporary furniture, personal care, art and design, antique jewelry, beach, board sports, fashion, hospitality and e-commerce. Annually, these events showcase some 11,000 exhibitors in 1.8 million net square feet of exhibit space and attract approximately 150,000 attendees.
