NYC & COMPANY WELCOMES BACK THE SUMMER 2011 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL GIFT FAIR TO NEW YORK CITY

August 13 - 18, 2011

New York City’s Largest Trade Show Expects 55,000 Market-Goers from 85 Countries and all 50 States— —Gift Fair Generates More Than 21,000 Room-Nights and Delivers $42 Million in Economic Impact to the City— —Show Debuts Gourmet Housewares featuring high-end kitchenware and introduces “Artisan Jewelry” and “On Trend” showcase areas; Brooklyn Quilter Haptic Lab named inaugural scholarship winner.

NYC & Company, the City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, welcomes back the Summer 2011 New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®) to New York City, an wholesale industry event with more than 2,800 exhibiting companies from around the world, and 55,000 market-goers from 85 countries and all 50 states. The semiannual market, which is the City’s largest tradeshow, is expected to generate more than 21,000 room-nights and $42 million in economic impact for New York. The NYIGF begins on Saturday, August 13, and runs through Thursday, August 18, filling New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94.  “The New York International Gift Fair is an important asset to New York City and a great economic driver,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. “As the City’s largest trade show and one that brings more than 35,000 market-goers, retailers and craftspeople to New York City twice a year, the NYIGF is an essential partner in helping New York City retain its position as the leading U.S. tourism destination.” NYIGF presents its 2,800 exhibitors in 10 carefully categorized product divisions. Highlights of the Summer 2011 NYIGF include: The debut of the Gourmet Housewares Show, featuring 150 high-end cooking, dining and kitchen preparation products; the expansion of General Giftto feature a new “On Trend” neighborhood with collection-driven, fashion forward resources; the addition of an “Artisan Jewelry” showcase within NY Newest; a sold out Accent on Design, featuring more than 20 newly accepted design-forward suppliers; and return of theSustainAbility: design for a better world® exhibit¸featuring some 200 “green” gift, home and lifestyle products; and Brooklyn quilt designer, Haptic Lab, has been named one of the inaugural Carol Sedestrom Ross “Maker-to-Market” scholarship winners this year. . International participation across the NYIGF is up 20% this year, with 380+ companies from 46 countries around the world represented at NYIGF,  A complete list of exhibitors is available online at search.nyigf.com. “NYIGF will showcase the ‘best of the best’ in consumer products for everyday living and giving,” said Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “Some 35,000 retailers from across the U.S. and around the world will converge on New York City in search of products for 4th quarter resale. The show will present 100,000 products with representation from emerging designers and established brands in its 400 product categories.”