NEW YORK CITY — Founded more than 100 years ago, NY NOW® has always been the place to find international artisans alongside mainstream brands. Now, it’s clear that since the show was acquired from Emerald by Rockview Management Group this spring, its new leaders — industry veterans Dorothy Belshaw, William Lacey and Karen Olson — will be amping up its global footprint.
The newly imagined show, taking place Aug. 2-4 at Javits Center, will bring together handmade and design-forward collections from 19 countries, showcasing everything from hand-forged jewelry from Brazil to artisan ceramics from Sicily to beadwork rooted in South African craft, alongside a total of more than 90 brands and makers.
Whether a buyer is looking for one standout globally sourced item or an assortment, the collections have been curated and are available at scale.
Many of the participating international brands are being supported by their home countries’ trade and export programs as they make their debut in the U.S. market.
There also will be three curated national pavilions: Sicily, Ghana and South Africa.
An even more significant transformation will debut at the Winter 2027 show, Dorothy Belshaw, Co-Owner and CEO of Rockview Management Group, said.
Related. Redesigned Who’s Next Paris Held Alongside First-Ever Shoppe Object Paris
“The floor will be organized into clearly defined, thoughtful sections by category to better facilitate buyer discovery,” Belshaw explained. “Our partnerships with rep agencies will bring a unique brand-driven presentation to the floor that will accelerate brand growth — including well-known brands that have not been in the show in years — and re-engage the regional retail community.”
The new management has been focused on elevating the customer experience by adding floor managers and their own on-site staff during move-in and move-out to liaise directly with Javits Center staff and other service providers. They have also come up with turnkey booth packages with all-inclusive pricing, which they developed in partnership with their vendor network.
“Ultimately, our success is tied directly to our exhibitors’ success — so open communication and close collaboration with every partner on-site isn’t optional for us, it’s the model,” Belshaw added.
In addition, the show, which is now housed in one contiguous space, will feature the Luxury Lifestyle neighborhood, a collection of curated high-end jewelry and accessory designers; CURATED, an initiative that offers a showcase for early-stage luxury brands; and the Promenade Mix, a handpicked mix of home goods and lifestyle products by independent makers.
To get more events industry news, subscribe to TSE’s free e-newsletter on LinkedIn or through your email.
