NEW YORK –NY NOWThe 2023 Winter Market returns to Jacob Javits Center in New York from February 5-8 with a new look and feel. The country’s largest gift and home show drew thousands of people.This year, the show also saw an increase in qualified attendance, including buyers, press and exhibitors, with 34% of brands new to the show.
A rebranding, revamped lounge, enhanced food and beverage experience and technology activations were the highlights of the show. Part of the show’s new image and feel is attributed to Emerald X having recently acquired the organized wholesale market, Newsletterwhose team and management played a key role in the planning, marketing and staging of the show.
“The biggest thing is that people are excited to be in person,” said Alana Branston, vice president of NY NOW, Gift and Home. “They’re coming back to the show in droves and are ready to be in person.”
Elevated lounges, lively networking events and engaging panels were highlights, as were the addition of new brands and manufacturers. A new toy category and the addition of cannabis brands were particularly well-received.
Bulletin’s B2B marketplace and commitment to small businesses will continue to make NY NOW a more tech-focused event, with even more changes planned for this summer’s edition of the show.
Related. Emerald Acquires Bulletin to Boost NY NOW Retail Marketplace
The Bulletin Pavilion, an incubator space showcasing emerging wholesale brands, contributed greatly to the show’s sense of discovery and community. It was a place where buyers and brands could connect and participate in activations. This year’s key activation was “The Smoke Shop,” a series of intimate conversations hosted by leaders in the cannabis industry. These panels explored topics such as marketing to Gen Z, the evolution of wellness, and the power of design and representation in the cannabis industry.
“The teams at Bulletin and NY NOW did a fantastic job curating the brands, creating a physical layout that truly felt like a community, and creating a great atmosphere for the winter show. They also did an incredible job providing support to exhibitors before, during, and after the show,” said Sophie Silverstein, Founder of Take Shape Studio, an exhibitor at the show.
Attendees were also pleased with the redesigned show. “It’s great to see the growth in the number of brands that are at NY NOW,” said Molly Mathias, owner of Go Easy. “Just being able to see the product makes such a difference. I will definitely be back at NY NOW this summer.”
Reach Alana Branston at Alana.branston@emeraldx.com