ICFF at Javits. Photo: Jenna Bascom Photography
NEW YORK – Long synonymous with May, ICFF will shift its timing in 2027, moving to November to run alongside hospitality trade show BDNY (Boutique Design New York).
The news comes on the eve of NYCxDesign week, which runs May 14-20 and includes ICFF, scheduled for May 17-19 this year.
“After 37 years defining contemporary design in the U.S., we are making a move that reflects where the industry is going,” said ICFF Brand Directors Odile Hainaut and Claire Pijoulat. “Exhibitors and partners told us clearly and consistently that the spring international fair calendar had become too compressed, so it was time to take meaningful action. This was not a change for the sake of change, but a thoughtful decision shaped by years of listening, discussion and considering what would best serve the industry.”
Both shows will “remain two distinct, independently curated trade shows, each with its own identity, audience and programming,” an email from ICFF owner Emerald said. ICFF 2027’s dates are Nov. 7-9.
“The trade show landscape has evolved significantly in recent years, with tighter budgets, fewer travel opportunities and increasing demands on brands and buyers alike,” said Hainaut and Pijoulat. “At the same time, the importance of in-person connection has never been clearer. Long recognized as a cornerstone of New York’s design calendar, ICFF’s move to November, including the WANTED feature, creates a more efficient and productive business environment while aligning more strategically with the global design calendar. The shift also expands opportunities for growth, participation and international visibility among exhibitors and partners, creating a stronger stage for design in New York each fall.”
Gearing up to the new November timing, ICFF will hold events to sustain momentum, it said, including an ICFF Lounge at BDNY this coming November and an ICFF Night Out as part of NYCxDesign Festival in May 2027.
The new 2027 timing won’t be the first time ICFF and BDNY have run concurrently, as ICFF was rescheduled to November in 2021 due to the pandemic.
Related: Design finds: Standout products from ICFF 2025
“I’m happy to hear that ICFF is moving to November” to run alongside BDNY, said Jamie Derringer, the co-founder of generative design studio Trame and founder of Design Milk on LinkedIn. “It’s a smart decision and I’m excited for a new type of design week experience in the fall!”
Pam McNally of Houzz, also writing on LinkedIn, called the announcement “pretty significant … It reflects how much the design event landscape continues to shift” as the “industry calendar keeps getting more crowded … Going to be interesting to watch how the industry evolves over the next few years, and what designers and brands ultimately decide is worth their time, energy and money.”
In addition, it was announced yesterday that Emerald (Emerald Holding Inc.), which also owns Hospitality Design and KBIS along with ICFF and BDNY, was purchased by Apollo, along with B2B media and information services company Questex.
