Beginning in October, the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) will launch a new initiative connected with the New York market’s design-driven resources. The campaign includes a collaborative blog, an Accent on Design Awards retrospective and at-market activities, beginning Thursday, October 20, 2011—100 days prior to the opening of the winter NYIGF.

The program’s main component will be the “100 Days of Design” blog. This crowd-sourced digest will feature daily weekday guest posts, authored by a wide range of NYIGF exhibitors, design luminaries and design authorities. The blog, which launches in mid-October, will encourage industry participation and will be promoted through NYIGF marketing and social media channels.

“Design has always been a distinctive, core element of the NYIGF experience, especially since its Accent on Design® and Handmade divisions were launched with a focus on design-led merchandise nearly three decades ago,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “Through development of this new blog, we’re inviting the NYIGF community, as well as the design industry at large, to share their perspectives, knowledge and experiences.”

A second element, the Accent on Design Awards retrospective, will be presented as a photographic gallery installation at NYIGF. On display will be images of the companies, designers, and products which have received the coveted Accent on Design Awards since the division’s launch in 1984.

Additional “100 Days of Design” elements will include design-focused seminars, author appearances, networking events and a special display.  Details, and a complete schedule of events, will be available in early October.

The next NYIGF takes place Saturday, January 28, through Thursday, February 2, 2012, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94.