NEW YORK-The positive mood that lifted gift and other trade shows last month continues here, where vendors have been pleased with business at the New York International Gift Fair and a spate of new and innovative designs has helped fuel enthusiasm for the year ahead.

Vendors at the Javits Center reported crowded aisles since the show opened at that venue on Sunday. The show continues there through tomorrow.

LAS VEGAS–The Las Vegas Winter Market opened yesterday with a bang, continuing the good vibes of the January trade shows.
 
Showgoers packed the showrooms and hallways, and educational and socializing events were well attended.
 

NEW YORK–The American Society of Interior Designers’ (ASID) New York Metro Chapter has picked seven exhibitors in the At Home section of the New York International Gift Fair as “Best of the Best.”

The recipients are Tempo Luxury Home Collection for imaginative product presentation; Ercole for innovative product design; Bevara Design House for social responsibility, ecological sensitivity and universal design awareness; Vivify Lighting for lighting; J. Fleet Designs for accessories; Rani Arabella for textiles; and Pheromone by Christopher Marley for wall art.

NEW YORK–The New York International Gift Fair, featuring more than 2,800 exhibiting companies offering design-driven home fashion products and complementary giftware, opens today at the Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94 and tomorrow at the Jacob K. Javits Center here. The show runs through Feb. 2.

Many of the category-specific product neighborhoods will continue to grow and evolve for the winter market, with expansion of the new “On Trend” neighborhood in General Gift and a focus on housewares.

ATLANTA–Rosanne Kozerski Brown has been appointed to the AmericasMart Gift & Home Furnishings Advisory Board.

Brown is the co-owner of Venice Stationers in Venice, Fla. and comes highly endorsed and credentialed as a most innovative and successful independent retailer, according to a statement from AmericasMart. She is also a member of the Gift Home Trade Association and has presented at multiple gift shows as well as the annual GHTA conference.

By Andrea Lillo

Inspired by belly buttons and baby bottoms, Eva Zeisel, who passed away in December at the age of 105, left her iconic mark on the home furnishings industry.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Nearly 25 percent of registrants for next week’s New York International Gift Fair have expressed a specific interest in “Made in the USA” products, said show owner and producer GLM.

“More than 400 of NYIGF’s 2,800+ exhibitors identify themselves as producers of ‘Made in the USA’ products,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “NYIGF presents an ideal sourcing opportunity for retailers seeking American-made products across the gift, home and lifestyle spectrum.”

LAS VEGAS–Gift rep agency Next Step has inked a deal to open a 3,700-square-foot showroom at World Market Center for the upcoming Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market, Jan. 30- Feb. 3.

The San Diego-based multi-line gift agency will open its new showroom in Building C, Suite C-891. Next Step offers 25 manufacturer rep lines and has plans to expand for the Summer 2012 Las Vegas Market, July 30-Aug. 3.

LAS VEGAS -Homestyle, a national multi-line sales agency representing home decor, garden, tabletop, textiles and fashion lines, has inked a multi-year deal to renew its showroom space for the upcoming Winter 2012 Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market, Jan. 30 - Feb. 3, as well as expand for the Summer 2012 show.

DALLAS–Dallas Market Center today announced that many of its showrooms will celebrate openings, expansions and relocations with ribbon cutting ceremonies during this week’s Total Home and Gift Market, which runs today through Jan. 24. The market includes the Dallas International Lighting Market, which runs tomorrow through Jan. 23. The schedule for ribbon cutting ceremonies is as follows:

NEW YORK–Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ leading charitable organization, announced that One Kings Lane has become a 2012 corporate sponsor.

In addition to a direct contribution, One Kings Lane will help host a first-of-its-kind sales event offering curated items from the summer 2012 New York International Gift Fair, with proceeds benefiting Gift for Life.  

ATLANTA–AmericasMart celebrated visual excellence in both permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits at the recent Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market, which ends tomorrow, along with the Atlanta International Area Rug Market, featuring the National Oriental Rug Show, which ended on Sunday.

DALLAS–Dallas Market Center has released a comprehensive mobile application, downloadable from the iTunes and Android app stores. Named DallasMarket, the app includes multiple tools to help buyers navigate market and keep up to date on DMC news and events.

In addition, from now until Jan. 31, DMC will donate eight meals per download to Feeding America, a leading domestic hunger-relief charity in the United States.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Fourteen vendors will participate in Accessories Resource Team’s ART card program during the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, which starts today. In addition, ART will also host an event during the Market, on Saturday, Jan. 14.

DALLAS–Dallas Market Center has announced the 10 finalists for The Next Big Give, its national search for specialty retailers that give back in their communities, whether through volunteering, raising funds or donating goods.

DALLAS–Stanley A. Moussa, veteran of the home furnishings industry, died on December 26, 2011, here after a stroke on Christmas Eve. He was 85.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–The New York International Gift Fair has designated seven products as SustainAbility3(superscript), the show’s highest level for sustainability products, production processes and business practices.

LAS VEGAS–World Market Center Las Vegas has named Jamie Drake its 2012 Design Icon.

The award, which recognizes an interior or furniture designer who has made a significant contribution to the industry, will be presented at the upcoming Winter 2012 Las Vegas Market, Jan. 30-Feb. 3.

CHICAGO–The Chicago Merchandise Mart will feature both new tenants and expanded showrooms for the upcoming Chicago Winter Market, Jan. 19-25.

ATLANTA-Annie Modica is opening a showroom at AmericasMart here in time for the International Gift & Home Furnishings Market next week. 

Annie Modica’s 603-square-foot showroom will be located in Building 2, showroom 828B.

NEW YORK — Eva Zeisel, the industrial designer known for her work with ceramics, passed away Dec. 30, 2011. She was 105 years old.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.-The 20th Annual Winter NYC Restaurant Week  will coincide with the New York International Gift Fair,  Jan. 28-Feb.  2, 2012, offering dining discounts at more than 300 of the city’s most acclaimed restaurants.

DALLAS–Swarovski Elements will sponsor the 23rd annual ARTS Awards gala, which will be held Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, during the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market at the Dallas Market Center.
 
“Swarovski Elements is the ideal partner for the ARTS Awards gala and we are honored to work with them on this special evening,” said Cindy Morris, chief operating officer, Dallas Market Center. “Their beautiful crystal work will add a new level of elegance to the event. We thank them for their collaboration and commitment to the industry.”
 

NEW YORK–This year proved to be a strong one for the 7 W New York showroom building, with “record-setting attendance” at three markets, according to a statement from the building.

The building hosted more than 20,000 buyers from big-box retailers, independent specialty stores and off-price retailers at the 2011 markets, the statement said. Also, more than 100,000 visitors attended various trade and consumer events held in its 11th floor event space.

LAS VEGAS–Pantone has teamed up with the Las Vegas Design Center at the World Market Center (LVDC) on a display marking Pantone’s color of the year for 2012, tangerine tango.

The display was unveiled at the LVDC’s annual holiday gala celebration on Dec. 19. It marked the first time any design center has partnered with Pantone on a color-of-the-year display at such a large-scale event, according to an LVDC statement.

ATLANTA–AmericasMart has partnered with iBAHN, a company that offers IP-based entertainment and information services for the hospitality and meeting industries, to offer access to a state-of the-art Wi-Fi network.  AmericasMart now has Wi-Fi on all temporary tradeshow floors, Living, Outdoor/Indoor., The Gardens., building lobbies and meeting room spaces.

MINNEAPOLIS–Target will debut its Shaun White home collection during the week of Dec. 26.

The limited-time-only line will be available at both Target stores and on target.com through June 2012. It consists of bedding, lamps, wall decals, curtains, storage bins, a skateboard rack and piggy banks. Prices on the collection will range for $9.99 to $89.99.

ATLANTA–In conjunction with a greatly expanded presence in the Creative Co-Op line, licensed artist Kelly Rae Roberts, one of the industry’s hottest properties, will be featured at a signing during the Atlanta show.

Rae will be on hand in the Creative Co-Op showroom, located on the 10th floor of Building 2, showroom number 1003, on Friday, Jan. 13 from 2 – 3 p.m.

ATLANTA-AmericasMart will introduce Home & Design on its newly refurbished 14th floor of Building 1 at the International Gift and Home Furnishings Market next month.

CANNON FALLS, Minn.–Midwest-CBK and Colonial Candle are inviting retailers to enter the first “Passport to Success” sweepstakes in which two winners will be chosen to receive their choice of a trip to Paris or the Bahamas.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Design will be the highlight of the winter edition of the 2012 New York International Gift Fair.

Thirteen companies have been selected to join the juried Accent on Design division of the fair, an Accent on Design retrospective exhibit will debut, and a new design-focused blog will launch as an extension of NYIGF’s “Driven by Design” campaign.

CHICAGO, Ill.–Sales representative group DNA will present new lines at DNA at gift shows in Chicago and Minneapolis next month.

Additions include Art Studio Company, Fig Designs, Lug, Nisha Designs, Novo Beads, Root Candles, Signature Tumblers, Skidders, Up With Paper, Westland Giftware Inc.

NEW YORK and PLANO, Texas–J.C. Penney and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO) are teaming up to create distinct Martha Stewart retail stores within the majority of J.C. Penney stores, and an e-commerce website devoted to Martha Stewart products.

NEW YORK–HFN is preparing its coverage of the shows in January including the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, the Atlanta International Area Rug Market and the Dallas International Lighting Market.

LAS VEGAS–Gift+Home is planning a full line-up of events, entertainment and hospitality for the Winter 2012 Las Vegas Market, Jan. 30 – Feb. 3, 2012.

Among the amenities will be a Food Truck Festival on Jan. 30, featuring everything from meatballs and sliders to vegetarian fare; a Boogie Nights celebration of disco in the courtyard on Jan. 31; and food and wine tasting, high tea and other eating opportunities throughout the show.

DALLAS–The Dallas Market Center has scheduled PB&J: The Preview for Baby & Juvenile, a new trade event, for Oct. 2-4, 2012.

The new show will spotlight selections from manufacturers of juvenile furniture, bedding, gifts, decor, baby care, accessories, strollers, high chairs and nursing/feeding products. It is part of a joint venture with the Toy Industry Association, which will hold the TIA Fall Toy Preview in early October as well.

ATLANTA–The Holiday & Floral/Home Décor center in Building 1 of AmericasMart will gain additional momentum during the Gift & Home Furnishings Market in January with a large number of new exhibitors, expansions and showroom relocations.

Among the new exhibitors are Farrisilk, Full Pot Flourishes, NaturalStar Inc., PEMA Woodcarvings, Salzburg Creations, Inc., Seasons 4 Lights, PMJC, Inc., Roofian, Inc., Si Lucia, Tony International, Inc., Stony Creek Designs, and TAG Christmas Building.

ATLANTA–Gift company Roman, Inc. will substantially expand its AmericasMart Atlanta showroom in time for the International Gift & Home Furnishings Market here in January.

The newly expanded Roman space, which grows to 9,525 square feet in Suite 1400 of AmericasMart Building Two, signals its continuing commitment to AmericasMart’s growing global market share, the company said in a statement.

As usual, next year’s six-month trade show calendar starts with a bang with a plethora of January events. Trade shows from Hong Kong to High Point, N.C., beckon members of the home furnishings industry through June. Here’s a partial list of trade show happenings. See the full calendar of events at hfnmag.com.

LOS ANGELES–Rosalie & Friends and World Buyers have taken space at the California Market Center’s Gift and Home Showcase in anticipation of the Gift & Home Market Jan. 17 - 23.

The new showrooms will be located on the C wing of CMC’s 12th floor.

LAS VEGAS–At the upcoming Las Vegas Market, Jan. 30-Feb. 3, 2012, Gift+Home will offer attendees complimentary educational seminars, which include such topics as home furnishings trends, social media, implementing customer loyalty programs and more.

LAS VEGAS–Las Vegas Market has launched a new series of webinars designed to assist tenants and exhibitors in planning for the upcoming Las Vegas Market, Jan. 30-Feb. 3, 2012, as well as educational sessions for growing their business. They will take place through November and December, with the first one taking place this coming Monday.

FRANKFURT, Germany–Starting in January, Messe Frankfurt will provide free wireless internet (WiFi) access on the entire exhibition grounds of its own trade shows.

GARDEN CITY, N.Y.–Housewares giant Lifetime Brands has reached across the pond for its latest acquisitions: U.K.-based Creative Tops along with Hong Kong-based Creative Tops Far East Limited, which provides sourcing and other services for Creative Tops and its customers. Terms of the acquisition were not announced.

WILLIAMSBURG, Va.–Williamsburg, the licensed products brand of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, recognized select licensees as part of the brand’s licensing meeting here earlier this week.

Awards were distributed to licensees in six categories. The Williamsburg Marketing Award was presented to Pratt & Lambert for introducing an ASID-accredited course about Williamsburg paint. This course focused on the Williamsburg historic paint colors and design inspiration from the 18th century was created for interior designers.

DALLAS–Dallas Market Center will hold Digital Day during the next Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, Jan. 18-24, 2012, offering attendees a full day of educational seminars led by digital marketing experts. Taking place Friday, Jan. 20, Digital Day will be conducted in the Internet Lounge, World Trade Center 1-147A.

NEW YORK–Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ leading charitable organization, announced today it will be a beneficiary of the charity golf tournament to be held at Red Rock Casino and Resort in Las Vegas on Thursday, Nov. 17, during the 9th annual Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA) conference.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va.-C&F Enterprises has appointed Kari Phillips senior designer, responsible for developing new categories for the seasonal line of Gallerie II, C&F’s sister company.

In this newly created position, Phillips reports to Cindi Steele, creative manager for both C&F and Gallerie II. Her 25-year career includes design positions with California Floral and Home, Uwharrie Chair Co., Taylor Linens, India Home Fashion and Home Style Co.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–The New York International Gift Fair has extended the deadline for application to its juried divisions, Handmade Designer Maker, Handmade Global Design and Accent on Design.

The deadline for Handmade Designer Maker and Handmade Global Design have been moved to Oct. 14, and for Accent on Design, the new deadline is Nov. 1. Previously, the deadline for all three divisions had been Sept. 30. The deadline for A+: The Young Designers’ Platform at Accent on Design remains Dec. 2.

By Andrea Lillo

For companies looking to expand their reach in Europe, Messe Frankfurt’s Tendence was the place to be in August. The show was fully booked up this year with 2,100 international exhibitors showcasing the latest worldwide trends and products in home and gifts.

ATLANTA–A number of events are planned for the upcoming Atlanta Apparel Market, the Atlanta Fall Gift & Home Furnishings Market and Atlanta Gourmet Market, which are being combined for the first time at AmericasMart Atlanta.

NEW YORK–Industry leaders Jenny Hammons, George Kacic and Brandwise founders Todd and Jannetta Litzman will be honored during Gift for Life’s 20th Annual Party for Life, taking place here on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012.

Hammons, a gift industry veteran and owner of Jenny Hammons/Company, will receive the Bert Tonkin Gift of Giving Award, which recognizes sustained philanthropic endeavors benefitting the industry.  Hammons is a former chair of the board of Gift for Life.

ROCKY MOUNT, Va.–Uttermost, a major manufacturer of home accessories and furniture, launched its new website at uttermost.com, which was designed and developed by Whereoware.

The result is a streamlined and interactive experience that provides support for its retailers, designers, sales representatives and consumers.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.–The Accessories Resource Team, the decorative accessory industry trade association, will hold its 20th annual conference in New Orleans next year, at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Scheduled for May 17 to 20, 2012, the conference will be co-chaired by Susan Andrulis, IMAX Corp., and Cody Hutcheson, CODARUS.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Beginning next month, The New York International Gift Fair will offer series of “market readiness” webinars to exhibitors participating in the winter 2012 edition of the New York International Gift Fair.

Produced jointly by NYIGF and Right Angle Strategies, a business strategy and coaching consultancy, the series includes four pre-show webinars, one post-show webinar, and free, 15-minute business consultations during NYIGF.

HIGH POINT, N.C.—The Accessories Resource Team will host its High Point bowling event next month during market, and which is sponsored by the International Home Furnishings Center.

To be held on Monday, Oct. 24, at the High Point Bowling Center, the event begins at 7 p.m. with dinner followed by bowling at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $40 per person in advance and $50 at the door. Visit accessoriesresourceteam.org for the reservation form or call 704-376-4278.

The address for the High Point Bowling Center is 309 West Fairfield Road, off South Main Street.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–The New York International Gift Fair has successfully concluded its month-long “Like for Life” Facebook campaign, according to show owner and operator GLM. The campaign benefitted Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home décor industries’ sole charitable organization.

FRANKFURT, Germany—Messe Frankfurt has appointed Yvonne Engelmann as director for the Tendence and Ambiente team, as of Sept.  1.

 Reporting to Nicolette Naumann, vice president for Ambiente and Tendence, Engelmann will take over the Giving section and assume responsibility for organizing that part of the show, revolving around individual gift ideas, trendy lifestyle products and high-end jewelry.

NEW YORK–HFN has started collecting new product information and high-resolution images for its editorial show coverage of both the High Point and tabletop markets in October. Please send materials by Friday, September 9, for possible inclusion. For furniture, email Duke Ratliff, dratliff@hfnmag.com; for lighting, area rugs and home decor, email Andrea Lillo, alillo@hfnmag.com; for mattresses, contact Dave Gill, dgill@hfnmag.com; and for tabletop, email Allison Zisko, azisko@hfnmag.com. 

ASHEVILLE, N.C.–Biltmore’s licensing division has been chosen by the Society of Product Licensors Committed to Excellence (SPLiCE) to host the 2011 Licensors Workshop. The event will be held at the Inn on Biltmore Estate in Asheville Sept. 10-14.

The SPLiCE Licensors Workshop provides members with a unique venue that affords an opportunity to speak with other licensors across industry lines. During the workshop, SPLiCE members will learn about the best practices in brand protection and how to leverage innovation through licensing.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–GLM has announced 2012 dates for the winter and summer editions of the New York International Gift Fair.

The winter edition will take place Sat., Jan. 28 – Thurs., Feb. 2 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 & 94 in New York City, while the summer edition will take place Sat., Aug. 18 – Thurs., Aug. 23 at the same locations.

NEW YORK-Color and trend connoisseur Doty Horn has launched a new color marketing firm called ColorVoyant.

Horn, who most recently served as the director of color and design for Benjamin Moore, has developed a 2013 color forecast titled Fusion, which she previewed this month at PrintSource.

Fusion fuses together emerging trends and common threads from the worlds of art, fashion and pop culture. ColorVoyant offers four supporting themes for 2013, including what she terms “cooperative,” “modern primitive,” “mutant” and “eruption.”

NEW YORK–Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) has been designated the charity of choice for the New York International Gift Fair.

The 26-year-old organization provides basic necessities, books, toys and other products to children who are underprivileged or who have undergone a disaster. It distributes products through a network of nearly 1,000 community social-service agencies in the United States and abroad.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Two industry veterans – Thompson Lange of Homescapes Carmel and David Gooding of Juliska – have joined the seven-member advisory board of the New York International Gift Fair. 

Comprised of both attendees and exhibitors, the board meets semi-annually with show management to offer strategic feedback related to the gift and home market in general and about the NYIGF in particular. The next scheduled board meeting will take place this Wednesday, Aug. 17, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, where the Fair is currently taking place.

NEW YORK–The New York International Gift Fair begins tomorrow at Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94 and on Sunday at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

More than 2,800 companies will exhibit a wide array of design-driven home fashion products and complementary giftware. According to show owner and organizer GLM, approximately 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 85 countries worldwide are expected.

TULSA, Okla.-IMAX Worldwide Home has announced the winners of its On the Road Again! promotion, where customers who came to its showrooms during the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market or Las Vegas Market this summer and placed at least a $1,500 order were eligible to win. Two people from each market were chosen to win $750 to either reimburse travel expenses or as a credit toward their orders.

CHICAGO—Mark Furlet has been appointed vice president of MMPI’s Gift & Home division.

Furlet succeeds Joan Ulrich, who is leaving MMPI after 14 years. In a separate statement, Ulrich did not announce her future plans, saying only that “it is time to make a change and let the talented team with which I have been working for years, expand their own roles.”

LAS VEGAS–Three gift and home decor exhibitors were recognized for Outstanding Achievement in Visual Merchandising at Gift+Home at the 2011 Summer Las Vegas Market, which ends today.

Yessica’s, Couronne Company and Alef Design were recognized for creating innovative and visually appealing displays to attract strong retail buyers and traffic to their spaces.

HIGH POINT, N.C.-The High Point Market Authority board of directors has appointed trade show executive Tom Conley president and CEO, effective Aug. 15.

Conley replaces Brian Casey, who left the Market Authority in the spring.

LAKEWOOD, Colo.–Gift & Home wholesale shopping site bwconnect has launched the first phase of an online fundraising campaign to benefit Gift for Life. From now through Nov. 30, the company will donate $1 to Gift for Life for each new fan who joins the organization’s Facebook fan page. The company will also donate $1 for each new “Like” on the fan page of either bwconnect or its parent company Brandwise, and has established the goal of contributing a minimum of $2,500.

Attendees to Tendence, scheduled for Aug. 26 to 30, 2011, in Frankfurt, Germany, will not only see worldwide trends and products in home furnishings, but also new show features, such as the debut of a new Home&Trend Award, as well as special focuses on Austria and Africa. More than a month before the show opened, show organizer Messe Frankfurt announced that Tendence was already fully booked up, with 2,100 international exhibitors registered for the show.

STEVENS, Pa.–Consumer confidence among the country’s wealthiest shoppers dropped significantly in the second quarter, according to Unity Marketing’s recent Luxury Consumption Index.

 The index dropped nearly 18 points to 66 points, which stands close to the level attained at the onset of the Great Recession in 2007.

NEW YORK–CreatedinFrance, sponsored by Ateliers d’Art de France and dedicated to promoting the work of French craftsmen and companies abroad, will unite French manufacturers at the New York International Gift Fair next month.

Ateliers d’Art de France is a French federation for craft professionals. Among the vendors exhibiting in New York are Alain Saint Joanis, Beauville, Claude Dozorme Cutlery and Laguiole en Aubrac.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–The Accent on Design section of the New York International Gift Fair has sold out its space for the August show, according to GLM, the show’s owner and manager.

The section will feature the work of 200 contemporary design resources, nearly 25 of which will be showing in the section for the first time, GLM said in a statement. Two design collectives, JOIN Design Seattle and the American Design Club, will be positioned near the entrance to Accent on Design.

LOS ANGELES–Two’s Company has signed an extended lease agreement to maintain its presence at the L.A. Mart.

The company has had a showroom at the center for nearly 30 years, presenting its gifts and collectibles at the various trade shows that take place there. It also serves its customers on the West Coast from this location.

Beginning yesterday and running through July 25, the California Gift Show is taking place at both the L.A. Mart and the Los Angeles Convention Center.

NEW YORK–The International Furnishings & Design Association and the New York International Gift Fair will offer a seminar on color theory and its practical applications at the upcoming Gift Fair.

PETALUMA, Calif.–Emma Gardner paintings have been added to the product line of emma at home, with a launch of 17 original, limited-edition acrylic on canvas designs. First shown during Art Basel Miami this winter, the line will consist of 125 reproductions of each design and is rendered in archive-quality giclee printed on stretched canvas.
 

LOS ANGELES–The California Market Center’s Gift & Home Market will open with a free seminar on liability protection for retailers.

ATLANTA–Williamsburg will introduce a range of home furnishings and gifts at The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market here next week that blends trend and tradition, the company said. Some of Williamsburg’s vendor partners exhibiting product here include Creative Co-Op, Department 56, Jim Shore, Andrea by Sadek, Michaelian Home and Winward.

ATLANTA–Living. Outdoor/Indoor.The Gardens continues to refine and broaden the spectrum of casual living product innovations and resources this month when AmericasMart Atlanta hosts the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market July 13 – 20 (with Temporaries taking place Friday, July 15 - Tuesday, July 19) and The Atlanta International Area Rug Market July 14 -17, 2011.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.–The Accessories Resource Team (ART) will soft launch a new market-driven discount program at the upcoming Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, July 13 to 20. Retailers who are members of ART will be given an identification card that can be used at participating vendors during market to receive special, exclusive discounts. Each participating vendor decides what specials will be offered and ART retailers will be provided with a detailed list for each market.

DALLAS–Dallas Market Center and the Accessories Resource Team (ART) have announced the judges for the 23rd annual ARTS Awards: returning judge Martha Griffin, executive editor, Design Guide; Donna Moss, designer, co-owner of That’s Haute and a former contestant on HGTV’s Design Star; Melanie Belew, Belew Design Studio, an interior design firm; and Susan Inglis, executive director at the Sustainable Furnishings Council, who judged ARTS Award’s inaugural Manufacturer Green Award last year.

DALLAS–The most creative, fresh and innovative booths and showrooms were recognized during the recently completed Total Home & Gift Market with Best of Show awards, which are presented twice a year and judged by leading industry and visual/design experts.

DALLAS–IV Pole Pals has won Dallas Market Center’s The Next Big Thing contest, which was announced during the recently completed Dallas Total Home & Gift Market. As a result, IV Pole Pals’ founder Deric Salser has received more than $12,500 in prizes, including $2,500 cash, exhibit space at the January 2012 Total Home & Gift Market, a feature profile in one of Dallas Market Center’s publications and consultations from leading industry experts regarding branding, public relations, visual merchandising and more.
 

CHICAGO-Mark Falanga has been promoted to president of MMPI, succeeding Christopher Kennedy, who will step down July 23 from the post he has held for the past 11 years.

DALLAS–Dallas Market Center has announced the opening of its newest resource, Dallas Design Supply, a 20,000-square-foot resource for seasonal décor, floral containers and supplies, candles, ribbon, party supplies and permanent botanicals.

“We have added even more resources with the arrival of Dallas Design Supply, which offers merchandise from many of our exhibitors in an off-the-shelf buying environment,” said Cindy Morris, COO, Dallas Market Center.

LOS ANGELES–Gift industry veteran Randy Newcomb, co-owner of the independent rep firm The Newcombs, passed away on June 1 at his home in Southern California.

Newcomb and Aileen Haugh, his wife and business partner, opened their L.A. Mart showroom in 1975 and built the third-generation rep firm’s family legacy over the course of more than 30 years. Newcomb was also a founding member of several gift industry organizations, including PRO, The Source and GHTA, among others.

NEW YORK–HFN is preparing its coverage of the Las Vegas Market in August. Exhibitors at the show are invited to submit information and high-resolution images of debuting products for possible inclusion. Submissions for furniture should be sent to Duke Ratliff (dratliff@hfnmag.com); for lighting, floor covering and home decor products, Andrea Lillo (alillo@hfnmag.com); and for mattresses, Dave Gill (dgill@hfnmag.com).

Interior designer celebrity Vern Yip—who gained fame on TLC’s “Trading Spaces”—has formally debuted his home collection, to be sold exclusively through HSN.

At an event at HSN’s New York office, Yip presented the line to the media. The collection includes furniture, bedding, window treatments, rugs, lighting and other decor items. Each piece plays off his design philosophy, which he described to HFN as “a confluence of function, esthetics, quality and the idea that things need to be scaled appropriately.”

NEW YORK-Fab.com launched today as the newest members-only site to offer products for a limited time. Targeting design enthusiasts, Fab.com features daily design inspirations and flash sales at up to 70 percent off. It already has 200,000 members and more than 175 designers and manufacturers on board, the company said.

LOS ANGELES-Wall decor supplier Artissimo Designs has purchased Lot 26 Studio, a manufacturer of decorative adhesive product lines based in San Francisco. Offering a line of wall decals and adhesive mirrors, Lot 26 Studio will operate as an independent division of Artissimo Holdings, which does business as Artissimo Designs. The acquisition underscores Artissimo’s objective to expand its design and product capabilities as well as become a diversified supplier of wall decor throughout North America.

ATLANTA-Award-winning architectural and interior designer Vern Yip will appear at AmericasMart’s Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market to introduce Burnes Interiors, a new home decor collection from Burnes of Boston.
          

NEW YORK–The New York Chapter of the IFDA will hold its “Cocktails, Conversation and Connections” networking event next Monday, June 6. Held inside Grand Central Station at The Campbell Apartment, located at 15 Vanderbilt Place, the event will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and includes a cash bar. To RSVP, email your name, company and email address for you and your guests to ifdanyny@verizon.net.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.–The Gift & Home Trade Association will hold its next “First Friday” webinar on June 3 at noon.

The topic will be “Collaborate for Sales: Selling to Consumer Series.” It will feature Gail Markert, founder of Markert Group Consulting, which works on products and processes for gift and home retailers and manufacturers; and Benno Duenkelsbuehler, president of (re)ALIGN, a consulting firm on marketing for retailers and wholesalers.

WEST HARTFORD, Conn.–Aid to Artisans, an international non-profit organization, has appointed Alfredo Espinosa as president. Beginning his position today, he succeeds David O’Connor, who was president from 2005 to 2010.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–The At Home section of the New York International Gift Fair will feature new suppliers along with returning exhibitors at this summer’s show.

DALLAS–Starting in 2012, the annual ARTS Awards ceremony will take place at the Hilton Anatole, across the highway from the Dallas Trade Center, where it has been held previously.  The awards are presented by Dallas Market Center and the Accessories Resources Team, and the next event is scheduled for Jan. 21, 2012.

“We look forward to hosting the ARTS Awards at the Hilton Anatole hotel,” said Bill Winsor, president and CEO, Dallas Market Center. “With a convenient location, dedicated event space, and more room to host guests, it’s the perfect fit.”

ROSEVILLE, Calif.-A total of 370 executives with retailers and manufacturers attended the inaugural Home Furnishings Industry Conference April 30-May 2.

The event, which took place in San Antonio, was co-hosted by the Western Home Furnishings Association, the National Home Furnishings Association and numerous industry co-hosts. It presented educational sessions on retailer-manufacturer relationships, social networking, best practices and marketing. It also included an expo in which manufacturers such as Serta and Tempur-Pedic highlighted their products.

LOS ANGELES–Jeff Sampson, vice president of marketing for the L.A. Mart Design Center, has been designated to steward the branding of the California Gift Show.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.–Diane Carnevale Jones, owner of Professional Marketing since 1982, has founded her own firm, Carnevale Jones Group, which offers strategic consulting services and project work to the gift and home industry.

Carnevale Jones has sold Professional Marketing to Jillian Lambert and Gwen Vryhof, long-time employees of the company. Lambert, Vryhof and Carnevale Jones will work together on industry projects and initiatives.

NEW YORK-Interior designer Jonathan Partridge has launched the Jonathan Partridge Collection, a luxury home collection of nearly 250 pieces of custom-designed products.

The collection includes seating, dining and occasional furniture; lighting; bedding; pillows and throws; mirrors; rugs; dinnerware flatware and barware.

NEW YORK–HFN is preparing its coverage of June’s Dallas International Lighting Market.

Exhibitors are invited to submit information and high-resolution images of products that they plan to highlight this market for possible inclusion. Please send your submissions for lighting and home decor products to Andrea Lillo (alillo@hfnmag.com) by Monday, May 16.

BELLMAWR, N.J.–Ginsey Home Solutions has elevated Guy Conte to senior vice president of sales and Bridget Crozier to vice president of sales, and has named Allen Robinson vice president of new business development, a newly created position.

LAS VEGAS–Leading candle manufacturers gathered here recently for an annual meeting and trade show, where they discussed some of the industry’s most pressing issues, including Canada’s Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) and upcoming candle labeling regulations, the FTC Green Guides, ASTM candle fire-safety standards, the ingredient disclosure movement, and the anti-dumping duty on candles from China.

LAS VEGAS—­Registration for the upcoming Summer 2011 Las Vegas Market Aug. 1-5 is now open, including Quick Reg, which allows returning attendees to register with just one click.

NEW YORK–Aerin Lauder, granddaughter of beauty-products icon Estée Lauder, has created Aerin LLC, a lifestyle brand, and has reached a license agreement with Lenox for a line of home products.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–With the start of High Point Market this past weekend, manufacturers launched a number of new licenses and other programs to retailers.

The Dick Idol collection launched at Crestview in lighting, wall decor, accessories and accent pieces. Before, these categories were split among manufacturers but now “we get to merchandise the category together,” said Bryan Williams, executive vice president. The items also take the lodge and rustic looks to a new level, he said, and some items are transitional and more contemporary in feel.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–The High Point Market opens today, with the newest wave of furniture, lighting, rugs and home decor products unveiled to the industry.

New collections include Lexington Home Brands’ Henry Link Trading Co., a brand that has global influences and uses such materials as specialty veneers, marble, penn shell, embossed leather, aged metal, bamboo, rattan, and exotic skins.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–An entity called the High Point Acquisition Company has purchased the the showroom buildings Market Square Complex, Hamilton Market, 300 S. Main Street, Furniture Plaza, Plaza Suites, and the National Furniture Mart from MMPI properties for $139.5 million.

These buildings and tradeshow spaces encompass 2.1 million square feet and represent some of the best known locations and properties within the High Point Market. The buildings had been in receivership since late last year, according to press reports.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–­The High Point Market Authority is moving into new offices following the April 2-7 Market. HPMA will occupy the seventh floor of the historic Radio Building, located at the corner of Main and Commerce Streets here.

As of April 15, the HPMA’s new address will be 164 South Main Street, Suite 700, High Point, NC 27260. All phone numbers and e-mail addresses for the HPMA and its staff will remain the same.

DALLAS–Celebrating its expansion in the Laura Kirar collection, Arteriors Home will hold a champagne brunch on Sunday, April 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in its showroom in the International Home Furnishings Center, Hamilton #320. Arteriors Home founder Mark Moussa and Kirar will host the event.

Arteriors launched the collection from the designer a year ago, and the new additions number 34 lighting and accent pieces.

NEW YORK-Gilt Groupe, an online shopping destination, has acquired home decor site Decorati, expanding its footprint in home to include offerings for designers and trade-only manufacturers. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Decorati is a destination site for upscale interior design products and services as well as a community for the display of designer portfolios. For consumers, Decorati offers an inspirational library of product images, along with the ability to connect with design professionals and research products from over 650 trade-only manufacturers.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Brian Casey, High Point Market Authority’s president and chief executive officer is leaving the HPMA, effective April 30.

Casey, who has held the position since 2006, has been named the general manager of the Cleveland Medical Mart and Convention Center, owned by MMPI.
 
The HPMA executive committee said that it is overseeing an immediate search for Casey’s replacement.

DALLAS–Up-and-coming gift and home designers have until Monday, March 28, to enter Dallas Market Center’s The Next Big Thing contest, a national product search. Three finalists will be announced on April 12, and will receive airfare and hotel to the upcoming FINDS Dallas Temp Show (June 23-26) held during the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market. In complimentary exhibit spaces at the show, the finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their products in front of more than 50,000 retail buyers.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–The New York International Gift Fair will present a series of “Market Readiness” webinars for exhibitors at the summer Gift Fair.

Beginning in May, the webinars will address topics such as marketing and selling strategies, trade-show operations and lead follow-up. The series will be produced jointly by NYIGF and Right Angle Strategies, a business-strategy and coaching consultancy. It will include four preshow webinars and one post-show webinar, along with a 15-minute consultation during the Gift Fair.

HIGH POINT, N.C.-The International Home Furnishings Center, the Accessories Resource Team and the Home Furnishings Independents Association are sponsoring another bowling night during High Point Market next month.

Scheduled for Monday, April 4, at the High Point Bowling Center on West Fairfield Road, the event will include dinner, bowling and a chance to unwind from the show and have fun. The festivities begin at 7 p.m.

NEW YORK–HFN is in the midst of coordinating its editorial coverage of April’s High Point Market.

LOS ANGELES–One Kings Lane, a private online shopping destination for home decor, furnishings and accessories, is teaming up with Traditional Home magazine to offer Tastemaker Tag Sales on the One Kings Lane website this summer.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.-The New York International Gift Fair is inviting designers, artists and manufacturers to apply for its design-focus divisions for the summer Gift Fair.

NEW YORK–HFN is preparing its coverage of April’s High Point Market.

DALLAS–With more than 50 entries to chose from, Dallas Market Center has awarded Brown and Tea & Magnolias the winners of The Next Big Give, a national search for specialty retailers that give back in their communities. The winners will receive a complimentary trip to the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market next month and will be recognized on March 24, during The Inspired Event cocktail party.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Attendance at last week’s New York International Gift Fair rose by more than 10 percent over the total at last year’s winter NYIGF, according to a statement from GLM, the show’s owner and manager.

Nearly 35,000 people attended the market, representing all 50 U.S. states and 86 countries, GLM said. Exhibitor numbers were also higher than at last winter’s show, with four show divisions—At Home, Handmade, Personal Accessories featuring Details and EX-TRACTS—all at full capacity.

ASHEVILLE, N.C.–Biltmore has appointed Donnette Miller as licensing director for home furnishings.

In this role, Miller oversees the Biltmore House’s home-furnishings licensing activities and developing new business within the brand. She reports to Tim Rosebrock, vice president and general manager, and Christy Hodgins, director of marketing. She succeeds Elizabeth Ford, who has moved to Biltmore Inspirations, a new brand developed by the historic site which will include foods and other home products, and which is slated to launch later this year.

NEW YORK–Three exhibitors at last week’s New York International Gift Fair were honored with the Eco Choice Awards, which recognize innovative and environmentally responsible gift and home products.

NEW YORK–The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has honored seven exhibitors at the New York International Gift Fair with its “Top Picks” for 2011.

According to a joint statement from ASID and the Gift Fair, the winner for imaginative product presentation is Luna Bella. For innovative product design, The Groundwork Group was given the nod. Tritter Feefer Home Collection was cited for social responsibility, ecological sensitivity and universal design awareness.

CHICAGO – Leading exhibitors and showrooms were honored with Best Display Awards at the Chicago Market, located at the Chicago Merchandise Mart, last month. Winners were selected by an internal panel committee and were judged on innovation, design and creativity.

Best Exhibit Display Award Winners included 79 West Designs and Blue Barnhouse in Beckman’s Handcrafted Show; Eastern Accents in Home; The French Farm in Gourmet; and Pose-ez and Aesthetic Movement in Gifts & Accessories. Little Gorilla Designs was the What a Girl Wants winner.

By Allison Zisko

Ambiente’s global reach, the window it provides into other cultures and cuisines, and its reputation as a trend incubator have cemented its position as one of the most important international shows for tabletop and housewares executives.

The trade fair, which takes place in Frankfurt, Germany Feb. 11-15, has grown as an international event in the housewares category, and has evolved as a critical platform for both tabletop and housewares vendors eager to expand globally.

NEW YORK—Today marks the opening of Gift & Home Textiles Market Week here.

The showroom building at 7 W New York will be open today. Among the amenities at 7 W New York are Shop 7 W First on Friday, taking place today; the daily Gift Week Showroom Spotlight and Holiday Shopping Stroll; the Pop-Up Shop 101: One-on-One, taking place each day from Jan. 31-Feb. 2; Twilight Shopping tomorrow; and Winter Wonderland on Jan. 31, in which attendees will be able to shop the showrooms until 8 p.m.

NEW YORK—CreatedinFrance and the Japan Pavilion will be among the international exhibitors at the New York International Gift Fair, which opens tomorrow.

Sponsored by Ateliers d’Art de France, CreatedinFrance will be dedicated to promoting the work of French craftsmen and companies. It will include both first-time and long-standing exhibitors displaying general gifts, tabletop products and textiles.

LAS VEGAS—Designer Monica Pedersen and home-products/trends editor Julie Smith Vincenti presented their views of key trends and products at Las Vegas Market in a First Look seminar held Monday.

Focusing on color, Pedersen and Smith Vincenti said the new decorative accessories featured at the market are showing a more adventurous approach to color. Among the more popular colors this year will be purple, neutrals and honeysuckle, which Pedersen said she has used on a sofa and chaise.

DALLAS–Dallas Market Center and the Accessories Resource Team, the trade association representing the decorative accessory industry, announced the winners of the 22nd annual ARTS Awards during a gala event held Jan. 22 in The Grand Pavilion at the Trade Mart. Guests attended the ceremony that recognized ARTS Awards recipients in 28 different categories.

FROM THE MARKET–The home furnishings industry’s trade show tour continues today at the World Market Center for the World  Market.

The mood for the opening day of the show appears to be a continuation of the optimism found at last week’s Dallas Total Home & Gift Market; and in Atlanta the previous week for the International Gift & Home Furnishings and the International Area Rug markets.

MEDIA, Pa. ­—Derek Hubbard joins New View Gifts as director of national account sales. In his new post Hubbard will be responsible for National Account Sales and overseeing the development of new business. Hubbard’s most recent position was at Virginia Candle as director of national account sales.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—Increased use of NYIGF.com, the website of the New York International Gift Fair, has driven increases in preregistration for the show, product searches and appointment settings, according to a statement from GLM, the show’s owner and manager.

CHICAGO—Both the Chicago Market: Living and Giving and the California Gift Show will feature Fair Trade Pavilions with handmade products from around the world.

CANNON FALLS, Minn.– Midwest-CBK is introducing an application to provide retailers with mobile access to the company’s tools and information on the go, including real-time complete order status, product searches, monthly specials and promotions, product stock status and best seller status, and showroom locations and directions with Google Maps.

NEW YORK—The New York Chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association will present Color Forecast 2012 during the upcoming New York International Gift Fair.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—Some 200 new companies from 17 countries will debut as exhibitors in the New York’s Newest section of the upcoming New York International Gift Fair.

The section will be located at Passenger Ship Terminal Pier 92 in New York City—one of  NYIGF’s venues along with Passenger Ship Terminal Pier 94 and the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Jewelry and personal accessories will be especially well represented among the product categories that will be spotlighted by these vendors.

DALLAS–Dallas Market Center has announced that the Dallas Area Rapid Transit rail now stops at its campus and will be available for use during this month’s Dallas Total Home & Gift Market.

CANNON FALLS, Minn.–Midwest-CBK is partnering with artist and author Suzy Toronto to introduce the first Suzy Toronto Holiday collection, which will debut during the January markets in Midwest-CBK showrooms.

TOLEDO, Ohio–2011 marks 25 years of success for Mark Feldstein & Associates (MFA), a product development company and importer of giftware, housewares and electronics.
 

CHICAGO—The upcoming Chicago Market: Living and Giving and California Gift Show will include Beckman’s Handcrafted Shows, which will exhibit handcrafted and artisanal products.

A fixture for more than 30 years, Beckman’s Handcrafted Shows are designed as shows within a show. At these two upcoming shows, the Beckman’s areas will spotlight vendors of hand-crafted apparel, jewelry and home accents. Both of these show areas will consist of 25 percent new-to-market exhibitors, along with returning artisans, according to an MMPI statement.

CANNON FALLS, Minn.–Midwest-CBK has evolved its home decor collections, introducing a product mix intended to maximize
current decor sales for independent retailers looking for innovation, the company said.

CHICAGO—The January Chicago Market will spotlight several new tenants and expanded showrooms at the Merchandise Mart.

Newcomers include Casa Bella, a vendor of specialty gifts and home furnishings, in room 13-416; Craft Outlet, a supplier of country and primitive crafts, in room 13-342; Marci Lorts, who represents a number of accessories lines, in room 13-238; Vickerman Co., an importer and wholesaler of seasonal decorations, in room 13-342; and Young’s Inc., a vendor of gift and home products, in room 13-612.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—Six exhibitors in the New York International Gift Fair’s Sustainability: design for a better world section have been designated as achieving the highest level of sustainability for their products, production processes and business practices.

LOS ANGELES—Designer Thomas O’Brien will deliver the keynote address at the California Gift Show on Jan. 21.

O’Brien will speak about the inspirations that have shaped his design philosophy, including classic, modern and traditional styles. He will also discuss his new book, “American Modern,” a survey of seven of his most influential projects.

CHICAGO—Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. has appointed Nancy Michael senior marketing and strategy director for the gift and home decor industry, effective Jan. 3, 2011. In her new role, Michael will be based in Chicago working directly with Trisha Schultz, marketing director, and the entire Chicago Market team, as well as coordinating and leveraging marketing activity across all three locations: Los Angeles, Chicago and New York.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.—Mass merchants and home improvement stores, known for their wide product assortments, are the channels of choice for consumers making home indoor or outdoor home decor purchases for the holiday season, according to a survey by The NPD Group.

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C.—Dur Staten has been appointed senior product manager for Manual Woodworkers & Weavers.

Staten has thus assumed responsibility for new product development in the company’s gift and home division and national-account product needs. Staten also oversees Manual Woodworkers’ catalog-marketing initiatives for “Manual Gift and Home,” “Inspirational Catalog” and “Izzy,” the company’s baby and child catalog. Staten reports to Molly Sherrill, part owner of Manual Woodworkers and senior vice president of marketing and product development.

CANNON FALLS, Minn.–Midwest-CBK is expanding its partnership with journalist and designer Cristina Saralegui by creating an inspirational holiday collection that will debut during the winter 2011 markets in Midwest-CBK showrooms across the country.

The handcrafted Casa Cristina Holiday collection features spiritual icons such as angels, nativities, birds, stars, crosses and hearts in a combination of materials such as metal, capiz, wood and glass in a color palette of gold, silver, cream, blue, green and plum. Suggested retail prices range from $3.50 to $100.

NEW YORK–HFN is preparing its coverage of the shows in January — the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, the Atlanta International Area Rug Market, the Dallas International Lighting Market, the Gift & Home Textiles Market Week, the Las Vegas Market, and the New York International Gift Fair.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Ryan O’Meara, the ice dancer who competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics, will perform at Bryant Park’s Citi Pond in New York City during the upcoming winter gift and textiles markets.

CANNON FALLS, Minn.–Midwest-CBK has named Kelly Corcoran design trend manager, a newly created position.

Corcoran, who reports to Beth Lorentz, Midwest-CBK's vice president of product development, will partner with the company’s in-studio design team and product managers on product design innovation and collection concept development for holiday, gift, home decor and outdoor living lines.

LAS VEGAS–Gift + Home at Las Vegas Market has scheduled the following seminars for the January trade show.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Once again, SustainAbility: design for a better world will be part of the New York International Gift Fair’s winter edition.

GLM, owner and manager of the Gift Fair, said SustainAbility will be “a multifaceted program,” incorporating nearly 200 “green” gift, home and lifestyle products from 85 companies throughout the world in its juried exhibit. It will include the Eco Choice Awards recognizing eco-product innovation, and will offer an educational series that will address issues in sustainability and fair-trade practices.

WOOLRICH, Penn.–Woolrich executives and home furnishings licensing partners gathered for their eighth annual Brand Partners’ Summit last month to discuss strategic planning and business opportunities for 2011 and beyond.

The meeting, held in the Shadow Mountain showroom during the High Point Market, was attended by executives from Woolrich Home licensees Shadow Mountain, Whitecraft, Picture Source, Mohawk and Rowe Pottery Works. Other participants included licensing executives from Woolrich and The Media Matters.

NEW YORK–Crate & Barrel has launched its first store within a store in its SoHo location here, with the grand opening of the Marimekko Shop.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—The Gift & Home Trade Association will hold its annual conference from Nov. 17-20 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in New Orleans.
 
Archie Manning, former National Football League quarterback, will deliver the keynote address on Nov. 19 at 2:30 p.m., giving his insights on
leadership, depending on others and flexibility. Other highlights from conference include:
 
--Heather Lutze, owner of Findability Group, who will speak on search-engine optimization, pay-per-click and social media at 11 a.m. on Nov. 19

NEW YORK–International licensing agent Hermine Mariaux will present “Maison & Objet Market Review 2011” on Oct. 26 at an event sponsored by the New York chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association.

MONTGOMERY, Ala.–Home decor and garden manufacturer Caffco will reveal its newest showroom in the Dallas Trade Mart in January.

This launch follows the opening of its showroom in Building 2 in Atlanta’s AmericasMart earlier this year. In addition, Caffco has announced its partnership with the Dallas-based J. Brandes sales organization.

GREENSBORO, N.C.–WithIt, the women’s leadership development network in the home and furnishings industries, is holding a raffle for a luxury getaway for two to the Monterey Peninsula in California. With a value of $14,000, the prize includes first class airfare within the U.S. where available, four nights at Pebble Beach Lodge with an ocean view room, and more. Available until Oct. 20, raffle tickets cost $100 each, and only 500 will be sold. Visit www.withit.org for more details or to enter.

DALLAS–Longtime manufacturers’ representative Don McEvoy passed away Tuesday, Sept. 28, after a long illness. He was 79 years old.

McEvoy co-founded Donald McEvoy Ltd. with his wife Helen more than 45 years ago and was a critical part of the Dallas Market Center since the early 1960s. He was honored by the DMC and the Accessories Resource Team with the Academy of Achievement honor this past January.

ALBERTVILLE, Ala.–Wall decor manufacturer Paragon has acquired Kinder-Harris, a high-end wall art, lamp and accessory manufacturer based in Stuttgart, Ark. Kinder-Harris’ product line will be relaunched at the High Point Market next month in Paragon’s IHFC C203 showroom, along with other introductions. 

LAS VEGAS–Eastern Legends brings high-end home furnishings to Las Vegas Design Center at World Market Center Las Vegas with a new 2,600-square-foot showroom.

Eastern Legends has had a consistent presence at Las Vegas Market in recent years.

ASHEVILLE, N.C.–Biltmore’s home licensing division recently unveiled several new ways to showcase its licensed products.

Each initiative is designed to make it easier for consumers to learn about and shop for the many different products Biltmore has to offer. These efforts include a new display in Biltmore’s Antler Hill Village, a catalog and an e-commerce Web site.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–High Point Market attendees are invited to a bowling event sponsored by the Accessories Resource Team, the Home Furnishings Independents Association and the International Home Furnishings Center. The event will take place Monday, Oct. 18, at the High Point Bowling Center, with dinner starting at 7 p.m. and bowling at 8 p.m. The price is $40 per person in advance, or $50 at the door. Visit accessoriesresourceteam.org for more information and to register.

NEW YORK–Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ leading charitable organization, announced that two industry leaders, David Moses and Marcia Miller, will be honored during Gift for Life’s 19th Annual Party for Life, taking place Jan. 30, 2011, here during the New York International Gift Fair. 

ZIONSVILLE, Indiana–Tom Frampton, founder and chief executive officer of Fanimation, has received the Michael Breedlove “Brass Fan Award” for service beyond the call of duty and supporting antique fan collectors.  The award was presented by the Antique Fan Collectors Association (AFCA).

The award is the highest honor given by the AFCA each year. It is awarded to a member who has supported the organization and the industry in a variety of ways. The award has been presented to association members since 1991.

NEW YORK—The 7 W New York showroom building said a number of textiles vendors will have new or expanded showrooms for this month’s New York Home Fashions Market Week.

ATLANTA—Home accents company Sterling Industries will move to a new location at the International Home Furnishings Center for October’s High Point Market. Now at IHFC H223, the company will celebrate the new space with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, as well as cake, drinks and snacks throughout market.

“Sterling is moving to the heart of IHFC,” said John Scott, chief executive officer and founder. “Buyers will find us on the second floor and at the top of the main escalator from InterHall. We invite everyone to come and celebrate our grand opening.”

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–More than 33,500 attendees were logged at last week’s New York International Gift Fair, according to a statement from GLM, the show’s owner and manager.

That marked an increase of 6.5 percent over the Gift Fair in summer 2009. Attendees came from all 50 states and 85 countries throughout the world, GLM said. In addition, 2,800 companies exhibited at NYIGF, the most since summer 2008. These included an estimated 400 exhibitors that were new to the show and 250 that returned after a hiatus.

SALT LAKE CITY–Overstock.com has launched the latest private sale Web site, called Eziba.com. Focusing on home decor products, Eziba.com is a members-only site that offers daily sale events lasting between 48 and 72 hours. The new site is not accessible through Overstock.com, but visitors can sign up as an Eziba member for free on Eziba.com. As with Overstock.com, all orders on Eziba.com will ship for $2.95. The Overstock.com customer service will also oversee Eziba.com’s customer care inquiries.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–GLM, owner and manager of the New York International Gift Fair, has announced the Gift Fair’s dates for 2011.

The winter NYIGF will take place from Jan. 29 through Feb. 3, while the summer Gift Fair is scheduled for Aug. 13 through Aug. 18. The summer show will bring the Gourmet Housewares Show at NYIGF, the first time the Gourmet Show will appear as part of the Gift Fair. This portion of the show is scheduled from Aug. 14 to Aug. 18.

NEW YORK—Bloggers from design and trend-watching Web sites have selected their top products for the Bloggers’ Choice Awards from the Accent on Design section at the New York International Gift Fair.

Among the chosen products were cast-iron skillets made by Borough Furnace, cited by Jennifer Lockwood of DailyGrommet.com. Also chosen was the Sundara rug collection by Donna Wilson & SCP, by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan of ApartmentTherapy.com. Kristin Coleman of Design-Calendar.com picked the umbrellas displayed by Brelli.

LOS ANGELES—The keynote presentation by Gordon Segal and the rebranding of Kentia Hall as Kentia—The Global Marketplace were the highlights at the recent California Gift Show.

Segal, chairman and co-founder of Crate and Barrel, spoke on his experiences in launching and operating the retail company. He focused on the importance of differentiating a store, educating employees and customers about what the store offers, and creating an effective merchandise mix.

ROCKY MOUNT, Va.–Uttermost acquired all of the product inventory of Austin Productions last week, as well as a non-exclusive right to reproduce select inventory items. 
 
Uttermost intends to sell the Austin inventory through its long established sales channels. Austin Productions, founded in 1953, is in the later stages of a transaction to sell substantially all of its remaining assets to an investment group called Austin Home Ltd.

NEW YORK—The International Furnishings and Design Association’s New York chapter will conduct a session on color during the upcoming New York International Gift Fair.

Titled “The Influence of Color,” the program will explore the impact of color on buying trends in home furnishings. The panelists will be Stacy Garcia, designer and owner of Stacy Garcia Inc., and Patti Carpenter, an international merchandiser for the contemporary home-decor industry.

Primitives by Kathy has taken a page from the past to create its new line of vintage streetcar signs, updated to include contemporary sentiments. Each wooden sign, including this design called “Say it like you mean it,” has an aged vintage finish and is made to stand alone or hang on a wall. Sizes range from 3 inches to 30 inches and wholesale from $3 to $28. primitivesbykathy.com

CHICAGO–The Chicago Market: Living and Giving opens today with the introduction of a mobile application tool. The show runs through July 28.

LAS VEGAS–World Market Center has designated 10 executives to lead the division for the Gift + Home show, which will make its debut Aug. 2-6.

Georgia Davis, former executive vice president for Dallas Market Center, has been named vice president of Gift + Home, and is responsible for the strategy, sales and growth of the show.

ATLANTA–The inaugural ICON Honors were held this past Saturday in Atlanta, honoring gift and home industry companies and individuals for innovation and achievement.

More than 900 people turned out for the event, which also included entertainment by pop singer Michael McDonald and a short speech by Stew Leonard Jr. of the fabled supermarket retailer. The program was co-sponsored by AmericasMart Atlanta, the Gift & Home Trade Association and HFN.

LOS ANGELES–The California Gift Show will debut a new look for Kentia Hall, site of the show’s “Kentia-the Global Marketplace.”

The redone section will feature new signage and carpeting, additional international food choices and a schedule of music, events and performances. According to a statement from MMPI, owner and manager of the California Gift Show, the space’s redesign is intended “to celebrate the diversity and international experience the hall represents while promoting social responsibility, supporting global causes and community development worldwide.”

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—HSN will debut the home collection of interior designer Jonathan Adler on Oct. 12.

NEW YORK–Gift for Life’s New York Experience will be held on Sunday, January 30, 2011, during the New York International Gift Fair. A national fundraising event as well as the charitable organization’s 19th anniversary party, the event will be held at the Central Park Boathouse here from 6:30 to 10 p.m. All proceeds will benefit DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—Eight designers have been added to the New York International Gift Fair’s A+: The Young Designers’  Platform.

The new participants include Salvatore Fuccillo and Jennifer MacEwan of Fuccillo Design, Charlotte Hosten, Soonmo Kang of 0.1vision, Hila Rawet Karni, Andy Kem of Kem3D, Efecum Kutuk, Andie Olive of BioDidactic Designs, and John Truex and Jason Connelly of Borough Furnace.

NEW YORK–Lazy Susan USA is moving to a new and larger showroom in AmericasMart Atlanta, Building 2 in showroom 919. Lazy Susan will display its full line of decorative home accessories, including its new Fall 2010 collection.

The grand opening and ribbon cutting is scheduled for July 16 at 3 p.m. Lazy Susan will celebrate their new space with food catered from the Thai restaurant, Nan, on July 16 from 4-7 p.m. and July 17 from 4-6 p.m.

DALLAS–Clothes and Go was named The Next Big Thing winner during Dallas Market Center’s Dallas Total Home & Gift Market. Based here and founded by and sisters-in-law Myra Prescott and Julie Tobolowsky, Clothes and Go provides an easier way to move clothing, using hangers in a bag to be transported, eliminating the need for traditional moving boxes and hanging rods. Made of a durable, lightweight, and water resistant material, the bags include ties to attach hangers, Velcro to secure the items, and handles to carry the bag over the shoulder.

DALLAS–The lighting industry descends on “Big D” today as the Dallas International Lighting Market opens as part of the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, which runs through Sunday, June 27.

New lighting lines include couture lighting company 26th & Soho, which will be shown in the Elle Home and Lifestyle showroom, 523 WTC.

This evening, from 5 to 7 p.m., the Gift and Home Trade Association will host a cocktail reception on the second floor of the Trade Mart in #2232. Attendees can enjoy complimentary food and drink, along with networking.

CHICAGO–Port 68 will expand its showroom space for the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, July 14-18. The company offers a collection of accessories, lighting and accent furniture designed by ARTS Award winner Mark Abrams.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–The Store at MAD (Museum of Arts and Design), will debut a first-ever “pop-up” location at the summer 2010 edition of the New York International Gift Fair, scheduled for Aug. 14-19 at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–GLM, owner and manager of the New York International Gift Fair, will host a memorial to Carol Sedestrom Ross, its emeritus director of craft marketing, during this August’s Gift Fair.

NEW YORK-The deadline for sending in new product information and high-resolution images for possible inclusion in HFN’s coverage of the Las Vegas Market in August is Monday, July 12.

To submit information on rugs, lighting, or accessories, contact Andrea Lillo, alillo@hfnmag.com; for mattresses, David Gill, dgill@hfnmag.com; and for furniture, Warren Shoulberg, wshoulberg@hfnmag.com.

NEW YORK–7 W New York announced that Toni Toreno has been appointed as the building’s new director of trade show sales.

In this role, Toreno will be responsible for all trade show activity on the 11th floor of the building.  This includes 7 W-produced events like the upcoming NYC Baby & Kids Fair, as well as external shows.

LOS ANGELES–Twelve companies have joined the tenant roster at the L.A. Mart showroom building since the beginning of the year.

ATLANTA–Stew Leonard, Jr., left, the president and chief executive officer of specialty grocery retailer Stew Leonard’s, will be the keynote speaker for the inaugural Icon Honors awards event on July 17, during the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market and Atlanta International Area Rug Market.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–The New York International Gift Fair has reached an exclusive agreement with WGSN, a style- and trend-forecasting service, which positions the Gift Fair as the sole U.S. home, gift and lifestyle market on the WGSN Advisory Forum.

LOS ANGELES–The L.A. Mart Gift Association will host its second annual Prosperity Pep Rally on June 15 from 4 to 7 p.m.

The event will bring together 300 gift- and design-industry representatives, manufacturers and retailers, and will allow them to network and share business resources. It will take place at the L.A. Mart here, in the California Room and Second Floor Exhibit Hall.

NEW YORK–Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ sole charitable organization, has announced a new fundraising initiative: Change for Life.

This national donation program begins with a select group of 12 industry-leading companies setting aside a pre-determined, per-order amount to Gift for Life for each order placed at major trade events across the United States for the remainder of 2010.  Change for Life will kick off in Dallas in June and will continue through October in High Point.

WILLIAMSBURG, Va.–Williamsburg has launched a co-branding venture with artist Kate McRostie that will include products featuring McRostie’s designs, inspired by the archives at Colonial Williamsburg.

Called “The Embroidered Garden,” the first artwork under this partnership will be introduced at the upcoming Licensing International Expo from June 8-10 in Las Vegas. The art has been developed for a broad range of gifts and home decor, and has additional potential for textiles, paper goods and tabletop products, according to a statement from Williamsburg.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—The addition of more than 35 companies in two new product sections, brand new exhibit space, and the launch of a major industry partnership will set a tone of progress during the 25th anniversary edition of Handmade at the New York International Gift Fair, Aug. 14-18, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

ATLANTA-The Icon Honors  executive committee has unanimously elected to honor Peter Schauben, the founder of the industry organization Gift for Life, with a special industry Stewardship Award at the inaugural Honors celebration scheduled for July 17 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis during the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market.

NEW YORK-Randy Eller will be the recipient of the 2010 Gift for Life Industry Achievement Award on Aug. 15 at the 59th Annual Retailer Excellence Awards here.

Eller has served the industry for 35 years as a retailer, salesperson, president and chief executive officer and partner. Today, through his company Eller Enterprises, Eller continues to consult and advise Industry-leading vendors, sales agencies and marts while reaching thousands with his public speaking.

For more information, visit GiftForLife.org.

By Warren Shoulberg

The Conran Shop has moved downtown—and downstairs too.

The iconic home furnishings store—a cornerstone of contemporary design and often the launch point of important new products—is marking its second decade in the United States with an entirely new store in an entirely new location.

But it’s still very much Terence Conran’s place.

This month the Conran Shop will have its official grand opening on the lower level—it’s too nice to be called a basement—of the equally-as-iconic ABC Home store on Broadway and 18th Street.

WILLIAMSBURG, Va.-Williamsburg is launching a licensing relationship with Creative Co-Op, known for its  trend-driven gifts and decorative accessories.

 Under the extensive Williamsburg  Garden Story Collection, Creative Co-Op will launch assorted gifts and home decor at the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, June 23-29, and at the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, July 14-21.

NEW YORK–7 W New York will host The Eco-Friendly Expo, showcasing the best in high-end design, architecture, transportation, travel, art and fashion.

DALLAS–Nominations for the 22nd annual ARTS Awards are now being accepted, and anyone in the home furnishings industry can participate. Targeting both retailers and manufacturers, award categories include Rising Star, Academy of Achievement, Product Designer of the Year, and Sales Representative of the Year.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–The jury for the Accent on Design division of the New York International Gift Fair has accepted more than 30 additional companies to exhibit in the section at this summer’s Gift Fair.

LITCHFIELD, Conn.–High-end rug company emma gardner design will target a broader audience with the launch of its new emma at home line at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair next week.

NEW YORK–Five of the seminars scheduled during the Licensing International Expo in June will present information on how U.S. brands can take advantage of opportunities overseas.

LOS ANGELES–Gordon Segal, chairman and co-founder of Crate and Barrel, will give the keynote presentation during the July California Gift Show.

Segal will speak on “It All Begins with the Merchandise” on July 16. The address will present Segal’s insights on the home-decor business, provide methods and strategies for retailers to identify unique products that will differentiate their stores, describe how to use products to establish a point of view or brand position, and suggest ways to educate employees on how to get consumers excited about product offerings.

ATLANTA–David Savula has been named executive vice president in charge of AmericasMart Home and Gift leasing for all permanent showroom facilities in Buildings One, Two and Two West Wing, a new position.

He previously served as senior vice president in charge of AmericasMart’s Home showroom leasing for seven years.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.–The hotel registration deadline for the Accessories Resource Team’s May conference is this Friday, April 30, in order to guarantee a room for the event.

ART Conference 2010 will take place at the Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa, Rancho Mirage, Calif., May 20-23.

ST. LOUIS–Mary Engelbreit Studios has named Amy Medhurst its marketing and licensing manager.

In the position, Engelbreit will be responsible for developing marketing programs and expanding their portfolio of licensed products. She has over 15 years of international licensing experience, most recently as sales executive for Looking Good Licensing.

 ATLANTA-Sterling Industries will award one customer free freight until Jan.  1, 2011, with a drawing held at the end of this month. Buyers can qualify for this drawing with a $1,000 order placed with Sterling before April 30.

 “Everybody loves free freight,” said Sterling Chief Executive Officer John Scott. “This is a great opportunity for a retailer or designer to bring in new merchandise throughout 2010 without worrying about shipping costs.”

ZHAOQING CITY, China–Tuscan artist/designer Sophie Rose has joined the Phoenix Art Company design team.

Phoenix Art Company is an American owned and China-based home decor manufacturer.

“Many artists can paint what they think Tuscany looks like, but there is one and only one Sophie Rose,” the company said in a press release. “With her original designs and our product ability, we can bring her brand into the international marketplace.”

DALLAS–Dallas Market Center announced that the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, taking place June 23-29, will offer a record-setting level of smart business opportunities including new products, inspiration and value.

New products will include thousands of product premieres across dozens of categories; inspiration with more than 70 special events including educational seminars; and value with the lowest hotel rates in six years.

GREENSBORO, N.C.–WithIt, the women’s leadership development network serving the home and furnishings industries, will feature four expert panelists during the organization’s semi-annual Competitive Intelligence event to be held on April 19 at the High Point Market.

The featured speakers will share their insights about the products, trends and noteworthy collections they will have spotted on the first few days of the Spring 2010 High Point Market, April 17-22.

Panelists are:

LAS VEGAS–The first Gift + Home Show has been scheduled for Monday, Aug. 2 through Friday, Aug. 6 at the World Market Center.

The show will run concurrently with the summer Las Vegas Market and the Vegas Kids Market. Among the products to be exhibited at the Gift + Home Show will be personal accessories, bath and body products, stationery, general and inspirational gifts, and an expanded presentation of gift segments such as seasonal decor. The show will take up more than 100,000 square feet of exhibit space on the fifth floor of the center’s Building C.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–A panel on the “secrets” of art licensing is scheduled to take place at the upcoming Surtex show.

Featured in the session will be Kate McRostie, owner of Design Works; Beth Logan, owner of Artstuff; and Dena (who uses only one name), owner of Dena Designs. The session, titled “The ‘Art’ of Success—a Dialogue with Artists Who Are Making It Happen,” will take place from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 18, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, where Surtex is scheduled for Sunday, May 16-18.

ROCKVILLE, Md.–Blissliving Home is scheduling a shopping event that will benefit the National MS Society, which conducts efforts to find a cure for multiple sclerosis.

Consumers can shop on Blissliving’s online boutique, blisslivinghome.com, or place an order through the company’s customer-service telephone line, 866-95-BLISS on April 11-17. Twenty percent of all sales from the event will be donated to “Andra’s Team” for Walk MS Washington, D.C., an event hosted by the National MS Society.

CLAWSON, Mich.–Home furnishings and accessories store and ARTS award winner Leon & Lulu is celebrating its fourth year in business with a benefit for Gilda’s Club of Metro Detroit this Sunday, March 28, between noon and 4 p.m. Ten percent of Sunday’s sales will go to the non-profit organization, and the event will include flying monkey contests, a bouncy house, hot dogs and popcorn and live entertainment.

DALLAS–Arteriors Home will launch its first designer-branded collection at next month’s High Point Market, working with interior and product designer Laura Kirar. The initial debut of the Laura Kirar Collection will include 90 accent and lighting products.

Inspired both by nature and objects from her personal collection, Kirar used aged patinated metals for the new line, in cast, spun and hand-formed versions, and sometimes in combination with other metals.

PITTSBURGH–SnapRetail, the online retail marketing and sales service firm that launched last fall, has announced that 60 vendors have signed up to participate in its TrafficBuilder marketing system.

These companies, which include Aurora, Archipelago Botanicals, Bailey Street, Creative Co-op, Dimond Lighting, Evergreen, Feizy, IMAX, Lite Source and Uttermost, will provide their marketing content to retailers in TrafficBuilder.

CHICAGO–Tfg, the furniture brand of housewares company tag, will introduce its first collection of home decor at next month’s High Point, April 17 to 22. About 115 items will be shown for the brand, which will exhibit in a new International Home Furnishings Center location at market, in the Pavilions, #M323.

“Home decor has been a key category for tag for 35 years,” said Norman Glassberg, tag’s founder. “When we acquired the tfg furniture business three years ago, I knew that this was a terrific opportunity to expand the tag product mix beyond furniture.”

PARIS--Twenty projects from French product designer Patrick Jouin are the highlight of the Patrick Jouin -- La substance du design exhibition that opens here today.
At the Galerie du Musee through May 24, the exhibition includes objects, scripts, texts, drawings, samples and prototypes. Among the items are Jouin’s Pasta Pot, created in collaboration with chef Alain Ducasse for Alessi, and Optic Cube, a container cube for Kartell that has mirrored and transparent parts.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Accessories Resource Team will hold its annual industry conference May 20-23 at the Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Joining the lineup of speakers this year are Leslie Newby, Brand Communications; Randy Eller, Eller Enterprises; Warren Shoulberg, HFN Magazine; and Fashionsnoops.com.
Category roundtables and the popular retail workshop are also on the agenda. The evening and free time plans include Palm Springs Homes Tour and team building fun and games.

NEW YORK–Forty One Madison said it has “seen a steady increase in buyer traffic and showroom participation,” over the past three New York Gift Shows.

NEW YORK–Bloggers on design and trend Web sites picked their favorite gift, home and lifestyle products in Accent on Design, the design-focused section at the New York International Gift Fair.
Among the winners of the Bloggers Choice Award were Umbrellas by Brelli; Miller Goodman Playshapes by neo-utility; neó baskets, bags and jewelry; Table Manners set by Funfam; Style de Vie for its booth display; and the Oly Children’s Chair.

NEW YORK–Five Accent on Design exhibitors were recognized today for design excellence, with awards for product design, overall excellence, best collection and best new designer, presented to companies from the United States, England and Korea. Accent on Design runs through Thursday, Feb. 4, at the New York International Gift Fair at New York’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
The Winter 2010 Accent on Design award-winners are:

NEW YORK–MMPI, organizers of the NYC Baby and Kids Fair, said that Saturday, the opening day of the event, “was upbeat with buyers from across the U.S. and around the world” walking the corridors of 7 W New York, the site of the inaugural event.
“The exhibitor mix and intimate feel of the space really made for a successful first day,” according to a statement from MMPI.
The NYC Baby and Kids Fair runs through Feb. 4.

MINEOLA, N.Y.–At this week’s Las Vegas Market, Linon Home Decor Products will showcase several new collections, including a licensed line with Southern Living magazine in its showrooms, C-1284 and C-1296.
The new Southern Living Home collection features both traditional and transitional themes with the relaxed and casual feel of the South, as well as indoor/outdoor rugs.

NEW YORK-Tomorrow, Feb. 2, Tucker Robbins will open the doors to an expanded showroom (Suite 504) at the New York Design Center.
Styled to resemble the former showroom/production facility in New York’s Meat Packing District, the new space will also include works of art to create a Zen atmosphere.

DALLAS--Having each won their fifth ARTS awards earlier this month, Global Views and Paragon have been inducted into the ARTS Awards Hall of Fame, announced Dallas Market Center and the Accessories Resource Team.
 The awards were given out at a gala event during the recently completed Dallas Total Home & Gift Market.

SAN FRANCISCO--Home decor, tabletop and giftware manufacturer and wholesaler Peking Handicraft  has debuted a new rug collection by artist Kaffe Fassett.
The collection can be seen at such winter markets as the upcoming New York International Gift Fair and Home Textiles Market.
Fassett, a California-born, London-based artist, is known for his colorful needlepoint, patchwork, knitting, painting and ceramics. The new line with Peking Handicraft will have five-hook rug designs. Each rug will be available in a 34-by-47-inch or a 4-by-6-foot size.

DALLAS–The Dallas Market Center has announced its Best of Show awards for the Total Home & Gift Market, which ran from Jan. 13 to 19.
Judged during the show by leading industry and visual/design experts, the awards recognize booth or showroom displays that are creative, fresh and innovative.

NEW YORK–The New York Design Center will hold a bake sale Tuesday, Jan. 26, and all proceeds will be donated to the Unicef Earthquake in Haiti Fund. The sale will be held in the NYDC lobby, located at 200 Lexington Avenue, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information or to donate baked goods, contact Jojo at 212-679-4665, or suite 905 of the design center.

ATLANTA–As the January 2010 Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market approaches the closing bell today, show organizer AmericasMart said it is setting new benchmarks with sustained, aggressive order-writing and contagious optimism for the year ahead.

LAS VEGAS–The Ante 4 Autism fundraiser Texas Hold’em tournament is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Feb. 2, during the upcoming Las Vegas Market.
The event will begin at 7 p.m. at Binion’s and will benefit Autism Speaks. The entrance fee is $125, and registration and donations may be made online at ramarketing.com/ante4autism beginning at 6 p.m. on the day of the tournament. Players must be at least 21 years of age.

DALLAS–Interior and architectural designer Clodagh and home designer and HGTV host Joe Ruggiero will be among the presenters for the 21st annual ARTS Awards, a program given by the Accessories Resource Team and presented during the Dallas Market Center’s Total Home & Gift Market in January.
Clodagh will mark 25 years of design in New York City next year, and is devoted to combining sustainability, functionality and beauty in her work. Ruggiero, head of Joseph Ruggiero & Associates, is the host and producer of numerous home design shows on HGTV.

EXTON, Pa.–HomeStyle and Ivystone Group, two home decor-products sales agencies, will merge on Jan. 1 and combine for a showroom at the AmericasMart building in Atlanta.
According to a statement from the two agencies, the joined company will maintain the two names, with HomeStyle serving as the brand for home-accents and lifestyle products and Ivystone the brand for gift products. The company will have more than 150 field sales representatives and 20 key-account representatives. Along with the AmericasMart space, the company will have showrooms in Dallas, Chicago and Las Vegas.

ASHEVILLE, N.C.–Biltmore’s licensing division, including core brands Biltmore For Your Home and Biltmore Chateau Reserve, will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2010.
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Biltmore House and gardens were constructed in 1895 for George W. Vanderbilt, who decorated his home with a unique combination of high fashion decor, artifacts from his world travels and regional folk art.

NEW YORK–Iconix Brand Group said it has renewed its direct-to-retail license agreements for its Fieldcrest brand with Target, its Waverly Home Classics brand at Lowe’s and its Candie’s brand at Kohl’s.
Under the terms of the new Fieldcrest agreement, the brand will continue to be sold at Target through 2015. Lowe’s will hold onto the exclusive license for Waverly Home Classics paint for an undetermined period, while Kohl’s will keep the exclusive license for Candie’s apparel, accessories and lifestyle products at its U.S. stores and on kohls.com through 2016.

CANNON FALLS, Minn.–Midwest-CBK has added artist Julie Ueland to its portfolio of licensed brands, where she will create and sell her Tradewinds home decor collection to independent retailers. The new line will debut at the Midwest-CBK showrooms during the January markets,
Inspired by waterfront and tropical destinations, Ueland’s designs are meant to complement a broad range of home interiors and each features a casual, elegant style with Ueland’s twist. Ueland uses such motifs as bamboo, banana leaves, birds, seashells and fish in her work.

PITTSBURGH–SnapRetail, the recently formed consumer-products e-marketing firm, has rounded out its management team with the hiring of Kelly Gunn as vice president of business development for the gift and collegiate industries.

NEW YORK–For the upcoming New York International Gift Fair, Jan. 30 to Feb. 4, 230 Fifth Avenue New York MarketPlace has a number of events planned for buyers and other attendees.
Now represented by the Euroletto Linens & Home showroom in Lobby Suite 10, Colomba Living will debut its home textiles collection made from such natural fibers as linen, cotton, silk and wool. Greenhorn Trading Company, also part of the Euroletto showroom, will premiere its Scottish cashmere collection of throws.

WOOLRICH, Pa.—Woolrich has launched a comprehensive digital catalog accessible at woolrichhome.com/catalog.

FRANKFURT, Germany-Tendence 2010 will return to its traditional August schedule, as the show moves to Aug. 27 to Aug. 31.
Show organizers Messe Frankfurt said the move reflects an extensive poll of exhibitors and visitors, with two thirds of those polled recommending early autumn dates. Tendence 2008 and 2009 were held in early July.

NEW YORK–Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ charitable organization, has announced that three people have joined its board. Pamela Graves, editorial director of HomeFashion & Hospitality magazine; Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions; and Patricia Norins, founder and publisher of Pinnacle Publishing Group, now bring the total number of Gift for Life board members to 35, who represent such industries as sales, manufacturing, media, technology, marketing, management, retail and tradeshow management.

WOOLRICH, Pa.–Woolrich has entered into a licensing agreement with holiday collectibles designer and manufacturer, Lynn Haney Collection, to create, produce, and market a full line of holiday-themed items.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–The Licensing Industry Merchandisers Association (LIMA) will present a seminar at the winter New York International Gift Fair on forming relationships between buyers and sellers of art and design.

NEW YORK–Milan, Italy-based lighting company FontanaArte has moved its flagship showroom to 45 Greene St., in Soho. Now in a 3,230-square-foot space designed by architect Piero Russi, the showroom has three levels to showcase its decorative objects and outdoor and architectural lighting products, as well as its accessories and furniture lines.
Colored in tones of red and white, the space also includes a display of the company’s outdoor lighting line in what it called a playful interpretation of an outdoor courtyard.

NEW YORK-A newly constructed residential condominium on West End Avenue here will be the site of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s 10th annual designer showhouse.
Called Inspired Designs: A Show House Celebrating Extraordinary Women, the house will feature more than 8,000 square feet of space and is a tribute to iconic women from the worlds of fashion, style, culture and arts, from Ingrid Bergman and Coco Chanel to Annie Lennox and Michelle Obama.

VANCOUVER, B.C.–Art In Motion announced that North American framers, who service boutique independent retailers, will for the first time in eight years be able to purchase prints directly from the company.
Art In Motion will continue to sell directly to larger independent retailers, but will not compete with their new partners at the boutique level, the company said in a statement. Larger independent retailers will be able to take advantage of Art In Motion’s customized in-house programs and manufacturing capabilities of ICA Home Décor.

HUNTINGTON PARK, Calif.–Contemporary lighting and home decor company Nova has named Daniele Semeraro product design manager, where he will oversee the design process from development to completion.
Semeraro has previously worked at a Swedish car interiors company that developed materials for Volvo and Volkswagen, among other cars, as well as hospitality design company Hirsch Bedner Associations in the U.S. His background also includes extensive work in lighting design as well as the launching of his own company in Italy, which produced a stemless wine glass.

NEW YORK–Cohen Design Centers, the collection of design center properties that includes the Decoration & Design Building here, West Hollywood’s Pacific Design Center, Southwest Florida’s Design Center of the Americas and the Decorative Center of Houston, has launched a blog called Go Design Go, at godesigngo.com.

DALLAS–Dallas Market Center has launched special opportunities for the fall buying season during its First Monday & Tuesday Mini-Markets. Held on the first Monday and Tuesday of non-market months, these events give buyers the chance to place fill-in orders or make last-minute inventory additions.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–The U.S. Senate has passed a resolution honoring the High Point Market on its 100th anniversary.

LOS ANGELES–PEM America and actress/author Jenny McCarthy have formed a collaboration on a collection of non-toxic infant and juvenile home furnishings.
The partnership was developed and negotiated for McCarthy by Brand Sense Partners, a business-development consultancy. The line, trademarked as TOO GOOD by Jenny, includes bedding, bath textiles, room-decor products and newborn gift sets.

CAROL STREAM, Ill.–Mirror and decorative accessories company The Howard Elliott Collection has acquired Chicago Textile Corp., a contemporary furniture, bedding and textile manufacturer. Chicago Textiles Corp. owner Jean Joseph will be joining The Howard Elliott Collection as president of the new division, said Robert Fleisher, vice president of sales for The Howard Elliott Collection.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–The Bramble Co. has slated the unveiling of its Steven Shell furniture line for the U.S. market during the upcoming High Point Market.
The new collection will feature rustic and contemporary furniture, along with accessories, accents and artwork.
Robert Bramble, Bramble’s president, said the initial launch will encompass more than 200 items. The Steven Shell brand of furniture is already present in the United Kingdom and continental Europe.

DALLAS–The January 2010 FINDS Temp Show, set for Jan. 15-18 at the Dallas Market Center, will expand with several new categories. The show during the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, scheduled for Jan. 13-19.
The new categories are Bath & Body, Garden and Outdoor, Outdoor Furniture, Paper & Party, and Souvenirs. The additions join categories including Home, Furniture, Christmas & Floral, Gift, Collegiate, Kids, Hill Country, Red Haute, Fashion, Design, and Cash & Carry.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–The New York International Gift Fair, scheduled from Saturday, Jan. 30, through Thursday, Feb. 4, will debut The Licensing Gallery, a new business-to-business resource connecting surface designers, artists and licensing agents.
Featuring a maximum of 30 participants, The Licensing Gallery will be adjacent to At Home, Ex*Tracts and Personal Accessories on Level One of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

NEW YORK–Lalique, known for its fine crystal, yesterday announced a partnership with Daum, another worldwide crystal brand. This announcement comes after Lalique forged a U.S. partnership with Haviland, a leading global porcelain brand, in June. 

NEW YORK–Clarified and colored polypropylene will be the starring material at the upcoming exhibition “The Beauty of Transparency,” hosted by materials library Material ConneXion and Milliken Chemical, a division of Milliken & Company. Open weekdays from Sept. 14 to 25 in Material ConneXion’s showroom here, the exhibition will include housewares, food storage, packaging, and personal care and cosmetic containers that have been made with polypropylene, which has been clarified and colored with Milliken materials.

LAS VEGAS–The World Market Center Las Vegas is asking retailers to become a part of its new “Is It Home Yet?” promotional campaign and its first event, National Home Furnishings Month in September.
The comprehensive, multi-million dollar campaign will include advertising in major home furnishings publications, out-of-home (billboard) and an online plan on MSN, including sponsorship of the Room Design section that will generate an estimated 150 million impressions.

DALLAS–The finalists for the 21st Annual ARTS awards have been announced by the Dallas Market Center and the Accessories Resource Team (ART). The ARTS award program targets the home decorative accessories industry and takes place each January during the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market.

NEW YORK -- It was all gifts all the time this week in New York City as gift shows opened over the weekend at the Javits convention center and at showroom buildings around town, including 41 Madison, 7W and 230 Fifth Avenue.
Exhibitors at the New York International Gift Fair at the convention center almost uniformly said traffic was good on the opening days of the event and that order-writing was brisk. They attributed that as much to lean retail inventories as any significant pickup in retail activity. Exhibitors said, either way, they welcomed the business.

CHICAGO–The new Garden Accessories Courtyard is set to debut at the Chicago Merchandise Mart in time for next month’s International Casual & Accessories Market.
The 10,000-square-foot area, sponsored by Hearth & Home magazine, will be home to exhibitors featuring decorative accessories, outdoor lighting, hearth products, tabletop, rugs, pottery, statuary and more. The International Casual & Accessories Market is scheduled for Sept. 21-24.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—The Eco Choice Awards, which honor the best “green” products from the gift and home industries, will make their bow at the upcoming New York International Gift Fair.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–More than 300 companies from 39 countries are scheduled to exhibit at the New York International Gift Fair in August.

NEW YORK–The next edition of Printsource New York is scheduled for Aug. 4-6 at 7 W New York here.
A showcase for providers of textile and surface designs, the show includes exhibitors of hundreds of collections from textile- and surface-design studios from around the world. Exhibitors come from the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain and Australia, as well as the United States. Attendees include manufacturers of home textiles, apparel and paper goods.

WILLIAMSBURG, Va.–The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation has reached an agreement for Winward International to produce a licensed collection of home decor under the Williamsburg brand.

DALLAS–Dallas Market Center will hold the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market between March 12 and 15 with a beefed up merchandise mix.
This upcoming market, the show will offer new gifts, decorative accessories, furniture and gourmet products.
”Now more than ever it is important for buyers to diversify and strengthen their merchandise mix,” said Cindy Morris, chief operating officer of Dallas Market Center, in a statement.

NEW YORK–The Window Covering Manufacturers Association has issued a call for entries to its Product Innovation Awards.
The awards honor manufacturers of window coverings for their design creativity, technical advancement and overall innovation. They are scheduled to be presented at a reception on May 13, to be held in conjunction with the International Window Coverings Expo in Atlanta. The deadline for entries is March 16, and the competition is open to all manufacturers and suppliers of window coverings in the United States and Canada.

LAS VEGAS–The World Market Center said registration for this week’s Las Vegas Market was off 2 percent compared with last year’s event and described it as better than expected.
Robert Maricich, president and chief executive officer of World Market Center, said the traffic at the market was “exceeding expectations,” given the “significant dips” in attendance at other trade shows and markets.
More than 6,500 buyers have visited the market for the first time this week, according to the World Market Center.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–In a report on the HFN Web site on Feb. 2, it was incorrectly stated that GLM has moved the start date for the summer New York International Gift Fair from Friday, Aug. 14, to Saturday, Aug. 15.
GLM announced that the gift fair will open on Aug. 15 to clarify the dates, because the just-completed January gift fair opened on a Sunday instead of a Saturday. Home Textiles Market Week, which runs along with the gift fair, will open on Friday, Aug. 14, and close on Thursday, Aug. 20.
The following are the dates for the August shows:

WILLIAMSBURG, Va.–The Williamsburg: Home for All Seasons collection will launch on QVC later this month.
Inspired by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s design resources, the new line includes bedding, rugs, pillows, glassware, lamps, topiaries, wreaths and decorative accessories. It debuts on President’s Day, Feb. 16. Product sales support the preservation, research and educational programs of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the not-for-profit organization that oversees the restored colonial capital in Williamsburg, Va.

LAS VEGAS–The World Market Center has scheduled a number of receptions for next week’s Las Vegas Market.

NEW YORK–Bloggers from design and trend-watching Web sites chose innovative products and emerging trends at the Accent on Design division of the recently completed New York International Gift Fair.
The first-ever Bloggers’ Choice Awards included the following:
• Hollister Hovey of HollisterHovey.blogspot.com chose the Strida MOOF bike by Areaware for its classic European bike elements and modern, simple construction.

NEW YORK–Permanent showroom building Forty One Madison has opened its doors during the Gift Show here this week, with several tabletop showrooms open for business and a lobby product display that reflects the diversity of products in the building.
“We have had a record number of showrooms open this market and I’m pleased to see traffic has been steady since Sunday,” said Laurie Burns, senior vice president, director of the building, in a statement.

NEW YORK–Dixie Reinhardt Fine Linens took the Best of Market new-product award at the New York International Gift Fair.

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, N.J.–Hunter Douglas will launch its new consumer Web Site in February.
According to a company statement, the new site displays an updated design, navigation and functionality. Among the new features are more recognizable product groupings, more prominent use of product photography, enhanced promotion of features and benefits of Hunter Douglas products (under a section headlined “The Hunter Douglas Advantage”) and company-sponsored online rebate coupons.

LAS VEGAS–A group of retailers, manufacturers, representatives and suppliers in the home furnishings industry will gather for an industrywide Web summit on Feb. 8, the day before the beginning of Las Vegas Market.

NEW YORK–Showroom building 7 W New York has enlisted new tenants among giftware, home decor and tableware vendors.
Fisher Home Products, a manufacturer of high-end ceramics and glassware, has taken Room 547 in the building. Enesco, a producer of giftware and home and garden decor items, will open its showroom in Room 704 in time for the upcoming New York Gift and Home Textiles Market Week. Orian Rugs, described in a 7 W New York statement as one of the nation’s oldest manufacturers of rugs, is located in Room 307.

LIVERPOOL, N.Y.–Raymour & Flanigan has joined forces with design expert Kristan Cunningham for the development of programs aimed at helping consumers with home decorating.