The upcoming New York International Gift Fair will include four full days of seminars. Topics include design and color trends, social media, sustainability, merchandising, marketing and in-store events.

The winter market will be held Saturday, January 26 through Wednesday, January 30 at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94.

"NYIGF offers a full calendar of opportunities for buyers and suppliers to learn, network and ultimately grow their businesses," said Christian Falkenberg, NYIGF director and vp/GLM. "We’re offering new trend information, introducing new business tools and presenting new features to inspire, educate and entertain."

A free NYIGF orientation webinar will be held on January 10 at 2 p.m. ET. The session will offer an online tutorial of NYIGF’s layout and set-up, as well as general tips for first-time visitors. Newcomer education continues at the show with free, daily "New Buyer Orientations."

NYIGF seminars will include: "Fashion Forward – How Apparel Trends Impact Home Design" (January 26); "Color Pulse 2014: From Theory to Selection," sponsored by IFDA (January 28); "Made in America – A Catalyst for Innovation in Sustainability" (January 28); "Visual Merchandising – In-Store and Online" (January 28); and "Design Concept to Market: A Holistic Approach for Success" (January 29).

Lindsay Anvik of SparkRebel will present "Social Media Tune-Up: An Interactive Assessment of Your Strategy" (January 27) followed by individual consultations with seminar participants. Other tech-focused sessions include "Get In with the ‘Pin-Crowd!’: Using Pinterest to Grow Your Business & Connect With Your Customers," (January 28) presented by Patti Biro of Patti Biro Associates, and two seminars, hosted by CRAFT, addressing Constant Contact and its application for retail marketing: "Social Media Marketing Made Simple" (January 26) and "Using Digital Marketing Tools to Promote In-Store Events" (January 26).

CRAFT also will continue its series of "Power Hours," with two sessions addressing digital technologies: "Using Image-Based Social Media to Drive Web Traffic," (January 27) and "Turn your Connections into Opportunities with LinkedIn (January 28)"; as well as two marketing-focused sessions: "Guerrilla Publicity: Savvy Tactics for Getting Published" (January 27) and "‘Storyselling & Its Power in Today’s Marketplace" (January 28).

In connection with the return of the NYIGF Bookstore, Workman Publishing will host a special breakfast session addressing "Book Selling – What’s Hot with Today’s Consumers?" (January 27). Additionally, Home Fashion Forecast will host a special appearance and book signing by HGTV stars Robert and Cortney Novogratz (January 29). 

A special seminar track complements the return of the Artisan Resource. An "Importing 101" seminar will be offered on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday (January 27 to 29) at Pier 92; and Keith Recker of Hand/Eye will moderate a panel on "Opportunities in the Global Handmade Marketplace" at Javits (January 29). In addition, retailers are invited to an Artisan Resource opening day welcome reception (January 26) at Pier 92.