MARKET HAPPENINGS
Check back often, as exciting new updates are being added weekly!
ALL SHOW DAYS
YOUR EVENT SCHEDULE
Display | Oprah Daily Editor's Picks
Time: All show hours
Location: TBD
Description: Curated with intention and heart, the Oprah Daily Editor’s Picks spotlights the standout NY NOW products and lifestyle essentials loved by the editors behind Oprah’s trusted brand. From everyday game-changers to feel-good finds, each pick is hand-selected to inspire joy, wellness, and purposeful living—just like Oprah would.
Display | NY NOW 2026 Awards Gallery
Time: All show hours
Location: TBD
Description: To celebrate the contributions of all our exhibiting brands, NY NOW’s Innovation & Impact Awards recognizes the creativity and ingenuity of select exhibiting brands and gives our community an opportunity to showcase their products.
Stop by the Awards Gallery to see the finalists for our Winter ’26 Market in each category:
- Sustainability & Social Impact
- Trailblazer
- Emerging Brand
Product Giveaway | Bestie Bottles by Ad-N-Art
Time: All show hours
Location: TBD
Description: The NY NOW hit is back! Show your buyer badge to receive the cutest gift of the summer – a Bestie Bottle. Your BFF for walks, sports, raves, and the rest of your adventures together, Bestie Bottles are made of vacuum-insulated stainless steel, have a leak-proof character lid, and are 100% BPA free. Grab yourself an adorable, converastion-starting way to stay hydrated.
Activation | Inked by Dani
Time: All show hours
Location: TBD
Description: Stop by Inked by Dani during the market and experience their high-quality, realistic faux tattoos firsthand. See the designs up close, try one on, and discover how easy it is to offer bold, commitment-free ink.
SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 1
YOUR EVENT SCHEDULE
Happy Hour | Manhattan Mimosa Mixer | 10:30 am
Time: 10:30 am while supplies last
Date: Sunday, February 1
Location: The Promenade
Hosted by: Square
Description: Buyers are invited to enjoy complimentary mimosas while discovering fresh finds, connecting with peers, and easing into a productive day on the show floor. A perfect blend of inspiration, community, and a refreshing start to your sourcing journey.
Demo | Square Demo Station | 12:00 pm
Educators: The Square Team
Time: 12:00 – 6:00 pm
Date: Sunday, February 1
Location: Booth 833
Description: Discover how to power your business with Square at this hands-on demo station. Buyers and exhibitors can explore the latest Square tools—from seamless POS solutions to advanced analytics—and get personalized guidance from on-site experts. Stop by to test drive the technology, ask questions, and learn how Square can streamline operations, elevate the customer experience, and support growth in today’s retail landscape.
Community Chat | Resilient Retail: Revenue & Partnerships for 2026 | 1:00 pm
Moderators: TBD
Time: 1:00 – 1:45 pm
Date: Sunday, February 1
Location: Central Hub
Description: With ongoing economic pressure and rising costs, retailers must build more durable revenue models. This session explores how brands are diversifying income through shop-in-shop partnerships, micro-events, and strategic use of physical retail while maintaining strong cash flow and operational discipline. Panelists will share practical approaches to structuring partnerships, financing growth, and using retail space as a revenue driver, not a liability.
Tour | The Artisan’s Path: A Global Journey of Heritage and Innovation | 2:00 pm
Guide: Helen Joffe
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Date: Sunday, February 1
Location: Meet in the Central Hub
Description: Join retail strategist Helen Joffe for a curated journey through NY NOW’s Rising Artisans and International brands. An inspiring look at craftsmanship shaped by heritage, culture, and contemporary design.
In Rising Artisans, you’ll meet emerging makers whose work blends sustainable practices with expressive storytelling, offering a fresh perspective on the future of craft. Then explore our International brands, where country-led showcases highlight time-honored techniques alongside modern interpretations of global creativity.
Community Chat | Cultural Retail: Curatorial Strategies Shaping the Future of Storytelling & Assortment | 3:00 pm
Moderator: TBD
Panelists: TBD
Time: 3:00 – 3:45 pm
Date: Sunday, February 1
Location: TBD
Description: This panel brings together leaders in Cultural Retail and Heritage Retail to explore how today’s most influential institutions curate products that reflect mission, identity, and narrative. From exhibition-driven assortments to artist collaborations and craft-focused buying, these cultural tastemakers will share the universal curatorial principles that inspire consumers everywhere, offering retailers new ways to think about storytelling, purpose-driven merchandising, and the role of culture in shaping demand.
MONDAY
FEBRUARY 2
YOUR EVENT SCHEDULE
Happy Hour | Manhattan Mimosa Mixer | 10:30 am
Time: 10:30 am while supplies last
Date: Monday, February 2
Location: The Promenade
Hosted by: Square
Description: Buyers are invited to enjoy complimentary mimosas while discovering fresh finds, connecting with peers, and easing into a productive day on the show floor. A perfect blend of inspiration, community, and a refreshing start to your sourcing journey.
Demo | Square Demo Station | 12:00 pm
Educators: The Square Team
Time: 12:00 – 6:00 pm
Date: Monday, February 2
Location: Booth 833
Description: Discover how to power your business with Square at this hands-on demo station. Buyers and exhibitors can explore the latest Square tools—from seamless POS solutions to advanced analytics—and get personalized guidance from on-site experts. Stop by to test drive the technology, ask questions, and learn how Square can streamline operations, elevate the customer experience, and support growth in today’s retail landscape.
Community Chat | The Modern Visibility Playbook: PR, Community & Clientel Strategy for 2026 | 1:00 pm
Moderator: TBD
Panelists: TBD
Time: 1:00 – 1:45 pm
Date: Monday, February 2
Location: TBD
Description: Visibility in 2026 is about consistency, credibility, and connection—not volume. This session breaks down how retailers can use modern PR, community-driven storytelling, and Clienteling to build lasting visibility and loyalty. Panelists will share what actually works today and how to create sustainable visibility systems that support long-term growth.
Round Tables | 2:00 pm
Time: 2:00 – 3:00pm
Date: Monday, February 2
Location: Booth 136
Description: Join us for intimate, high-impact Roundtables where brands and buyers connect through scheduled, curated meetings. These focused sessions are designed to spark new partnerships, deepen relationships, and create meaningful business opportunities. Seating is extremely limited and RSVP is required—secure your spot for this exclusive NY NOW experience.
Community Chat | Tabletop Futures: How We’ll Host, Dine & Celebrate in 2026 | 3:00 pm
Moderator: Kristi Forbes
Time: 3:00 – 3:45 pm
Date: Monday, February 2
Location: TBD
Description: Entertaining is evolving from intimate micro-gatherings to the rise of the “at-home restaurant,” as consumers reimagine how they host in ways that are deeply personal, intentional, and design-driven. This conversation brings together leading voices from the tabletop and home categories to explore the key shifts shaping tabletop in 2026 — from global influence and mixed materials to sustainable craft, sensory experiences, and the growing desire for fewer, better, more meaningful pieces. Together, we’ll unpack how today’s hosts are setting the stage for a new era of dining and celebration.
TUESDAY
FEBRUARY 3
YOUR EVENT SCHEDULE
Community Chat | Beyond the Box: Using Custom Packaging to Strengthen Brand Identity and Customer Connection | 11:00 am
Moderator: Julie Rotuno
Panelists: TBD
Time: 11:00 – 11:45 am
Date: Tuesday, February 3
Location: TBD
Description: From branded bags to custom tissue, thoughtful packaging extends your brand beyond the product itself. In this session, Julie Rotuno of Mid-Atlantic Packaging draws on her extensive experience working with retailers and brands to explore how intentional packaging choices build recognition, create emotional connection, and turn everyday purchases into meaningful brand moments. In this session you will gain practical insights into how packaging can elevate perception, support sell-through, and reinforce brand identity at every customer touchpoint.