As someone who lives for the glamour and splendor of New York City, I was thrilled to hear that the NY Now Summer Market was coming to town. The event exhibits your favorites in home goods, accessories, books, clothes, decor, and luxury items. What’s so amazing is that displays come from all over the world, from countries like India, Italy, and Brazil. It occurs twice a year at the Javits Center in NYC every Winter and Summer. This year, it was held for 3 days from August 4th-7th and was a huge success.
I decided to attend on August 5th, and I loved the atmosphere that welcomed me and many others in. Upon entering, I was greeted with a Press pass and a tote bag, perfect for any items or informational books. I was immediately overwhelmed by the amount of creativity that was before my eyes and was fascinated by the talent. There was also a Content lounge, as well as dining areas, where exhibitors could relax and grab food.
Additionally, there were panels and workshops available to all attendees, such as Differentiating Online & In-Store Experiences, and a 100 Year Networking Celebration. What’s great about NY Now is that it isn’t just restricted to in-person shopping. Shoppers get great benefits online on the Bulletin website, so they can shop from exhibits all year round!
Where I visited
There were innumerable stalls at the trade show, but the ones that immediately caught my eye displayed art and jewelry. As a college student, I am always looking to revamp my style, as well as decorate my dorm nicely. I was able to visit and connect with exhibit owners from brands like Intuitive Creative by Sara B. Yo, The Finest Accessories Inc., Nest, and Abrams Books. I loved hearing insightful stories of why each exhibitor dedicates something to their brands. It was nice to hear how each brand is based in New York City, and how convenient it is to shop.
Sara B. Yo’s The Intuitive Creative exhibit was my favorite because the colors and vibrancy spoke to me from afar. She expresses joy and love in each of her pieces and she is surely living the New York dream. Her entrepreneurial message is amazing, as she advocates remaining true to yourself and releasing your passions in anything you do. She is a true inspiration to all up-and-coming artists and has great displays of SoHo, Washington Square Park, Chanel, and Dior.
I was also grateful enough to interview her at NY Now and ask her some questions. She told me that her entrepreneurial journey started when she was a college sophomore and that the brand became full-time two years ago. Her artwork is all about being colorful, fun, and affordable, instead of just “fine art”. The 2024 Summer Market was her first time being in wholesale, as she wanted to put her products out there for the public versus online.
I saw a common theme amongst her vibrant pieces fashion and New York City, which was so appealing to me. She sees New York from a colorful lens and told me her perky ideas translate best into art. To her, her pieces are like sisters, in that they are all cohesive and match specially. She says her favorite part of the market was the positive connections from around the world.
Sara also has a website, as well as an Etsy page, so please be sure to support her wonderful work. Her social media handles are the_intuitivecreative on both TikTok and Instagram, so feel free to give her a follow! Her pieces deserve the utmost recognition, so check her talent out!
My next stop was The Finest Accessories Inc., a collaboration of French brands, such as L. Erickson and France Luxe. They have been in business for over 26 years and empower women to embrace their beauty to their fullest potential. It was nice to hear that the entrepreneurial message is that beauty is within the inside and out. From hair clips and headbands to bracelets (I was even able to get a complimentary one!), you will look “effortlessly elegant”! Make sure to visit their website and shop from them today!
Thirdly was Nest, a New York-based non-profit that elevates the importance of handcrafted products. Each product sold does a beautiful job of representing the work of artisans, as well as their cultures and traditions. The non-profit’s entrepreneurial message is committed to growth and making a better impact. Make sure to check out their amazing pieces online, including handmade wall baskets and leaf trays.
The last stop of my NY Now Journey was Abrams Books, a renowned book and design publication based in New York. As an avid reader, I was excited to see the fascinating book covers, especially from my childhood, like Barbie. One of the exhibitors told me that Abrams’ most famous book design is Diary of a Wimpy Kid, which made the child in me so happy. Abrams’ Books are perfect for a read or a special gift, so make sure to shop online today.
Quick Tips For Future Trade Show Exhibitors
- Make sure to be presentable and appealing: All of the exhibits I checked out were so attractive and had a great vibe that could be easily attractive. If you are planning on showcasing your work, make sure to be as creative and vibrant as can, as that will help give your brand the recognition it deserves. Your stall will easily make a positive impact based on its’ impression, so make sure to go above and beyond.
- Plan in advance: Planning to showcase your exhibit doesn’t just take a day, it can take up to a year. You should do as much research as you can to understand the location, how much space you need, what products you want to showcase, a proper budget, etc. Make sure to recognize all of these aspects first before traveling and have the correct mindset. You also want to make sure you have the right people with you at the exhibit because teamwork makes the dream work!
- Spread the word and have a pitch ready: You’re already taking a great step into showcasing your brand, so take another step into promoting on your socials. Make sure you have a designated social media account, as that will keep customers updated on when your trade show date will be! Having an introductory pitch is also important and can help consumers understand the stories behind each one of your products. They want to learn more about you and your brand, so make sure to enrich the pitch with key details and experiences.
My Final Thoughts
The NY Now Trade Show was one of the first conventions I have ever been to. I’m so grateful I got the opportunity to hear such amazing stories and courage from each exhibitor! I would for sure give this show a 10/10 and highly recommend anyone to visit. The amount of perseverance and creativity was priceless, and I genuinely hope each company keeps doing what they are doing!
