MARKET HAPPENINGS
SUNDAY
AUGUST 13
YOUR EVENT SCHEDULE
Panel: The Future of Retail: Unleash the AI Advantage
Speakers:
– Joy Fennell, Founder & CEO, The Future in Black
– Dane Cohen, Director of Sales & Business Development, Management One Ltd.
– Chris Winfield, Founder, Understanding A.I. and CEO, Super Connector Media
– Jesse Spencer, SVP, Account Management, Whalar
with Moderator Crystal Vilkaitis, Owner, Crystal Media
Time: 10:30 am
Date: Sunday, August 13
Location: Content Lounge
Description: In a rapidly evolving marketplace, it’s crucial for businesses to grasp the potential of the technologies that are reshaping consumer engagement, product innovation, and overall industry dynamics. This session will provide insights and real strategies behind AI, Chat GPT and the Metaverse that are fueling content, marketing efforts, trend forecasting, inventory management and more, and revolutionizing the way retailers and brands navigate and thrive in an increasingly digital landscape.
Panel: Blazing Your Own Trail: Navigating Growth as a Single Founder
Speakers:
– Shana Rehwald, Founder, Me-est Me
– Lauren Clemente, Founder, BabaBoogs
with Moderator Kelly Bennett, Founder, With Kelly Bennett
Time: 1:30 pm
Date: Sunday, August 13
Location: Content Lounge
Description: Whether you’re a solo founder, aspiring entrepreneur, or industry professional, this conversation promises to provide invaluable insights, inspiration, and actionable advice to help you chart your course for growth in the gift, home, and accessories sectors. Gain practical tips on effective resource management, strategic decision-making, and scaling your business while maintaining your authenticity and vision.
Presentation: Life after Bed Bath & Beyond for the Gift & Home Business
Speaker: Warren Shoulberg, Journalist, Business of Home
Time: 2:30 pm
Date: Sunday, August 13
Location: Content Lounge
Description: With the demise of what was once the biggest retailer in the industry, there is as much as $5 billion in retail sales up for grabs. Business journalist Warren Shoulberg has followed BBB almost since its start and will be analyzing who will be the winners and losers in the company’s aftermath. Even if many independent specialty stores might not have competed directly with BBB there are opportunities for every player in the gift and home retail space to grab market share. The session will also look at the similar scenario for the kids business with the closing of BuyBuy Baby, as well as how all of this will impact vendors and suppliers. The shifting marketplace promises to be one of the big stories for the industry for the back half of 2023 and well into 2024.
Panel: From Good to Great: Pursuing Growth Opportunities for Lasting Brand Success
Speakers:
– Crystal Vilkaitis, Owner, Crystal Media
– Lana Van Brunt, Founder/Co-CEO, Sackville & Co. & Sackville Studios
– Rhianna Cooper, Founder, Vida Kush
with Moderator Kelly Bennett, Founder, With Kelly Bennett
Time: 3:00 pm
Date: Sunday, August 13
Location: Content Lounge
Description: So you’ve hit level Y, but you want to hit level Z. How do you get there?! And once you’re there, how do you ensure you’ll maintain *thrive* status, long-term? Discover some tricks of the trade from our experts, such as leveraging digital platforms, social media advertising, and influencer marketing to reach broader audiences and enhance brand visibility. Gain insights into hosting immersive experiential events, workshops, or pop-ups to engage customers on a deeper level and foster brand loyalty. Uncover the benefits of collaborating with aligned brands and forming strategic partnerships to tap into new markets and expand your customer base.
MONDAY
AUGUST 14
YOUR EVENT SCHEDULE
Workshop: Supercharge Your Sales Outcome: Bringing the Human Back to Closing Deals
Leaders:
– Jessica Korthuis, Co-Founder & CEO, Her Brand & Co.
– Mari Milenkovic, Co-Founder & COO, Her Brand & Co.
Time: 10:30 am
Date: Monday, August 14
Location: Content Lounge
Description: Her Brand & Co. believes that marketing your business doesn’t need to be intimidating or complicated – and they’re here to help.
Her Brand & Co. created their educational platform to help democratize access to the most gate-kept marketing and sales information, so you can build a business with confidence – and lead a life you love. And at NY NOW, that’s something we can really get behind!
Want to start getting your sales strategy set up for success before the show? Sign up to their educational platform for free as a valued member of the NY NOW community, and learn more about this workshop they’re offering on Day 2 of Market.
New Buyer Orientation
Leaders:
– Amy Loewenberg, Senior Buyer Relations Manager, NY NOW
– Lexine Loos, Buyer Relations Manager, NY NOW
Time: 11:15 am
Date: Monday, August 14
Location: Content Lounge
Description: NY NOW is one of the largest and most comprehensive wholesale events for home, lifestyle, and gift products, bringing together exhibitors from around the world to showcase their latest collections. Our New Buyer Orientation will provide you with the essential information needed to make the most out of your experience at the Market. Whether you are attending for the first time or are a returning buyer, this session will help you to navigate the event and share key insights and resources that will help you to establish valuable business relationships, maximize your time and have a successful visit.
Tour: Social Impact & Sustainability
Leader: Helen Joffe, Director of Operations for the Scintilla Foundation and Consultant NY NOW’s Rising Artisans Program
Time: 11:45 am
Date: Monday, August 14
Location: Meet in the Buyer’s Lounge
Description: Transcend commerce and inspire positive change. This tour will give you the opportunity to engage with visionary artisans and pioneers who are redefining the way business is done. Discover the captivating stories behind these brands’ creations, where innovation meets sustainability and craftsmanship intertwines with ethical practices. Witness the power of conscious consumerism firsthand, and how your choices as a buyer can shape a better future for retail.
Panel: Building a Loyal Community
Speakers:
– Rene Shapiro, Founder, Mindset Wellness
– Jonathan Shapiro, Founder & CEO, Mindset Wellness
– Isaac Boots, Founder, Torch’d
– Lyss Stern, Author, Writer & Producer, and Founder, Divamoms
Time: 1:30 pm
Date: Monday, August 14
Location: Content Lounge
Description: In this panel, we’ll discuss the fundamental strategies and best practices for creating an active and engaged brand community. Explore techniques for fostering meaningful interactions and long-term commitment among your community members.
Demo: Using the Bulletin Marketplace
Presenter: Syd Alperowicz, VP of Product, Bulletin Marketplace
Time: 2:30 pm
Date: Monday, August 14
Location: The Bulletin Incubator: Jewelry & Accessories
Description: Learn how to shop 365 via Bulletin! Free sign-up and demo showing how to explore your favorite NY NOW & Bulletin Brands and stock your shelves from the comfort of your home.
Panel: Today's Changing Consumer: From Baby Boomers to Gen Z and Beyond
Speakers:
– Liz Kantner, Consultant, Stay Gold Collective
– Laryssa Wurstiuk, Founder & Creative Director, JoyJoya
– Jay Landa, Store Owner, J. Landa Jewelry
with Moderator Robin Kramer, Owner, Red Boot Consulting and Co-Founder of Flourish & Thrive Academy
Time: 3:00 pm
Date: Monday, August 14
Location: Content Lounge
Description: In an ever-evolving marketplace, understanding your target audience is crucial for success. Join wholesale expert, Robin Kramer, as she moderates a panel of industry talents in a thought-provoking discussion on the changing consumer. This presentation aims to help businesses analyze their current audience and define their ideal customer in the dynamic retail landscape of today. Additionally, valuable tools and resources will be provided to effectively reach customers ranging from Baby Boomers to Gen Z and beyond.
Corkcicle Happy Hour
Time: 4:00 pm
Date: Monday, August 14
Location: Corkcicle Booth 1841
Description: Celebrate summer and your achievements at NY NOW with Corkcicle! Grab a beverage and take home your own Corkcicle vessel (while supplies last).
TUESDAY
AUGUST 15
YOUR EVENT SCHEDULE
Panel: Inclusive Excellence: Transforming Retail through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Speakers:
– Ilana Broad, Co-Founder, General Counsel, & Chief Impact Officer of The SHE Mark
– Anu Menon, Founder, Driftaway Coffee
with Moderator Sheena Butler-Young, Senior Correspondent, The Business of Fashion
Time: 10:30 am
Date: Tuesday, August 15
Location: Content Lounge
Description: Join us as we explore the transformative power of embracing diversity as a driver of innovation, creativity, and success. Learn from industry trailblazers about the challenges they’ve faced, the lessons they’ve learned, and the actionable steps they’ve taken to create inclusive cultures that unlock the full potential of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Tour: Jewelry & Accessories
Leader: Robin Kramer, Owner, Red Boot Consulting and Co-Founder of Flourish & Thrive Academy
Time: 11:00 am
Date: Tuesday, August 15
Location: Meet in the Buyer’s Lounge
Description: This tour invites you to discover the epitome of elegance, luxury, and self-expression at NY NOW. Together, we’ll discover an unrivaled selection of products ranging from luxury rings and necklaces to fun and funky handbags, sunglasses, and more – all designed to make a statement and celebrate the beauty of self-expression.
Tour: Emerging Brands
Leaders:
– Brooklynn Gallagher, Director of Partnerships, NY NOW
– Emily Cox, Senior Sales Manager, NY NOW
Time: 12:30 pm
Date: Tuesday, August 15
Location: Meet in the Buyer’s Lounge
Description: Consider this buyer tour your exclusive gateway to the forefront of innovation, where fresh ideas, bold designs, and boundary-pushing concepts take center stage. Discover the essence of our trailblazing new + emerging brands as you engage directly with their passionate founders and creative minds. Learn about their inspirations, witness their commitment to quality and innovation, and gain a deeper understanding of the vision that propels their remarkable products.
Activation: Interactive Painting with Stapledon Arts – Melanin Series
Time: 1:00 pm
Date: Tuesday, August 15
Location: Booth B91-GL3 (in the Bulletin Incubator: Gift & Lifestyle)
Description: Stapledon Arts invites you to get creative at NY NOW’s Summer Market! Use their Melanin Series product (a set of acrylic paints featuring 12 inclusive skin tone colors) to participate in an interactive painting designed by Harlem artist Terika Harris.
Panel: A Shift Towards Holistic Well-Being: The Rise of Sexual Health & Wellness in Retail
Speakers:
– Alli Schaper, Co-Founder & CEO, Supermush
– Polly Rodriguez, CEO & Co-Founder, Unbound
with Moderator Nicole Leinbach, Founder & Publisher, Retail Minded and Founder, STIMULATE: A B2B Sexual Wellness Tradeshow
Time: 1:30 pm
Date: Tuesday, August 15
Location: Content Lounge
Description: Did you know that the sexual wellness industry is projected to reach over 65 billion dollars in global sales by 2026? Join us as we uncover the growing influence of the sexual health and plant-based wellness categories that are currently reshaping the retail industry. Witness the rise of these dynamic sectors as consumer preferences shift towards holistic well-being, and gain valuable insights on consumer behavior, ethical considerations, and how to leverage these categories to drive business growth.
Panel: Beyond Greenwashing: The Path to Authentic Sustainability in Gift & Home
Speakers:
– Cayley Pater, Founder & CEO, Made Trade
– Adam Thatcher, Co-Founder and CEO, Grace Farms Foods
– Kelly Wang, Founder/Owner, Rue Saint Paul
– Mimi Daraa, Founder, Maison Palo Santo
with Moderator Kaley Roshitsh, Sustainability Editor, WWD
Date: Tuesday, August 15
Time: 3:00 pm
Location: Content Lounge
Description: Discover how sustainability is reshaping product design, packaging, and supply chain management, as brands navigate the complexities of meeting environmental goals while still delivering quality and aesthetic appeal. Gain insights into the evolving consumer mindset and their expectations for eco-friendly and socially responsible products, and explore how sustainable practices can strengthen brand reputation and customer loyalty.
Tour: Gift & Stationery
Leader: Amy Loewenberg, Senior Buyer Relations Manager, NY NOW
Time: 3:30 pm
Date: Tuesday, August 15
Location: Meet in the Buyer’s Lounge
Description: From artisanal greeting cards to beautifully crafted journals and keepsakes, this tour will introduce you to our best-in-class creators of stationery and gifts. Discover the meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail that transform everyday objects into extraordinary treasures.
ALL SHOW DAYS
YOUR EVENT SCHEDULE
Activation: Grab a Photo with Golden Gems
Dates: Sunday, August 13 – Wednesday, August 16
Location: Golden Gems Booth # 1732
Description: Visit Golden Gems’ booth to create a photo moment to take home from the event!
Activation: JK Adams Custom Board Engraving
Date: Sunday, August 13 – Wednesday, August 16
Location: The Bulletin Incubator: Home
Description: Experience craftsmanship in real life with this interactive activation brought to you by exhibiting brand JK Adams. Stop by for a special gift, and have your cutting board personalized with real time custom engraving (while supplies last).
Activation: Live Welding with Permanent Jewelry Solutions
Date: Sunday, August 13 – Wednesday, August 16
Location: Permanent Jewelry Solutions Booth 1150
Description: Stop by the PJS Booth 1150 to get a complimentary permanent bracelet, welded live onsite (while supplies last).
Activation: Candle Pouring with Paddywax
Date: Sunday, August 13 – Tuesday, August 15
Location: Paddywax Booth 1451
Description: Stop by the Paddywax Booth 1451 to customize and make your own candle to take home with you (while supplies last).