FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Strategic alliance brings industry’s most respected brands and buyers back to New York’s premier wholesale marketplace
NEW YORK, June 29, 2026 — NY NOW, New York’s largest wholesale marketplace for gift, home, lifestyle, and accessories, today announced a landmark strategic partnership with Ivystone Group LLC and its family of agencies to aggressively rebuild and re-establish NY NOW as the preeminent gift and home show for the Northeast. The alliance unites two industry powerhouses with a singular mission: bring the industry’s most recognized brands back to New York and reengage the region’s independent retail ecosystem.
With deep roots in the Northeast and a line package that includes hundreds of the most sought-after brands in the industry, Ivystone Group brings unmatched market intelligence, a loyal buyer network, and a 60-year track record of sales excellence. NY NOW brings the stage—a reimagined show experience, a newly energized leadership team, and a strategic vision built for what’s next in wholesale living and giving.
“New York was once the undisputed industry platform for brand awareness, product introduction, and media attention,” said Doug Cofiell, CEO, Ivystone Group LLC. “This alliance will reinvigorate our Northeast presence and drive super-regional sales for our family of brands—particularly those represented by Ivystone and Simblist. We’ve worked closely with Dorothy Belshaw for more than 20 years across multiple markets, and we’re confident she and her partners can rapidly reinvent this important Show.”
A New Kind of Show Floor. As part of the partnership, NY NOW is working with design firms to create sophisticated turn-key booth packages, which will streamline the exhibit design and installation process within a defined and predictable cost structure. The design integrates multi-line agency exhibits, brand-specific exhibits, and dedicated order-writing zones within a unified, energized footprint—delivering a dynamic, rep-supported buying experience for both returning and first-time Show attendees. This model will be replicated for additional agency partners soon to be announced.
NY NOW and Ivystone will work hand-in-hand to engage key accounts and independent retailers, ensuring the Show delivers an effective and efficient experience that earns its place on every buyer’s calendar and drives serious results for participating exhibitors.
“This partnership is an essential component of our strategy to rebuild NY NOW with intention and urgency. Ivystone has created a robust and relevant ecosystem with the best brands connected to the best buyers,” said Dorothy Belshaw, CEO, NY NOW. “Leveraging those relationships will accelerate growth and improved performance for NY Now and the whole Northeast market. This model ensures that individual brand identities are featured through independent displays at the same time as sales and customer acquisition are optimized by the agency support system working in tandem with NY Now’s marketing team.”
What to Expect and When. Ivystone and Simblist will debut the new concept and meet with regional buyers at the August 2026 NY NOW Show. The full buildout will debut at the Winter 2027 Show.
About NY NOW
NY NOW, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group Inc., is a twice-annual wholesale tradeshow serving the gift, home, lifestyle, jewelry and accessories industries. With more than a century of history, the show connects brands and buyers in one of the world’s most dynamic retail capitals. For more information, visit www.nynow.com.
About Ivystone Group LLC
Founded in 1960, Ivystone Group LLC is one of North America’s leading professional multi-line sales agencies serving the gift, home, garden, fragrance, fashion, and seasonal categories. With approximately 280 employees, showrooms in Atlanta, Dallas, and Las Vegas, and a portfolio built through more than 17 strategic mergers and acquisitions. Ivystone serves a broad customer base—from national chains and boutiques to e-commerce platforms—delivering personalized service, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and a deep commitment to brand stewardship. For more information, visit www.ivystone.com.
Contact: Karen Olson, CMO, NY NOW | kolson@nynow.com