New York, NY – The impending new owners of George Little Management received some encouraging news as they finalized their purchase of the company. The New York International Gift Fair, the flagship of the GLM portfolio, reported “pre-recession” attendance and exhibitor numbers for its August 13-18 show.
GLM said attendance was up by 5% to nearly 35,000, and the number of exhibitors passed the 2,800 mark, about where the show was in 2008 when the U.S. economy began its swoon.
“Exhibitors reported strong sales and order-writing,” said Dorothy Belshaw, show director and senior vice president of GLM. “Buyers are optimistic despite the negative economic reports.”
The exhibitors included 450 first-time sellers and included representatives of 46 nations.
George Little Management (GLM) will be acquired by Providence Equity Partners through a new holding company led by Charles McCurdy, the former chairman and CEO of Apprise Media. The sale is expected to be completed in September.
Reach Dorothy Belshaw at (914) 421-3345 or Dorothy_belshaw@glmshows.com
