NEW YORK – The summer edition of NY Now wrapped up earlier this week, and its brand-new owner, Rockview Management Group Inc., has declared it a success. It said buyer attendance increased by 5% over last year, after several years of declining attendance, and 460 exhibitors showed their wares, including more than 70 who showed for the first time or returned after a hiatus.
“After shopping the NY Now show for just over 30 years, I can confidently say that NY Now has officially begun its journey back towards its heyday. It was wonderful seeing so many vendors, old and new, and there was an energy in the air that made us feel as though there’s new, young talent in those halls, just waiting to be discovered,” said Elizabeth at Home Grown from Pennsylvania, in a release issued by Rockview Management.
Rockview Management, which is co-owned and led by industry veteran Dorothy Belshaw, said the Summer 2026 show reflected “the organization’s commitment to investing in the future of the wholesale marketplace while building on NY Now’s more than century-long legacy.”
“We are so proud of what we accomplished since acquiring the show just three months ago,” said Belshaw in a release. “The energy, excitement and positive feedback from both buyers and exhibitors was overwhelming, and we are so grateful to the industry for supporting our vision of transformation.”
“Having Dorothy back is huge,” tabletop exhibitor Michael Wainnwright told Home Accents Today. “If anyone can change the trajectory of this show, she can.”
Wainwright is a longtime NY Now exhibitor who briefly left the show but returned last summer. On Monday afternoon, he said he was pleased with the business he conducted at NY Now, which included writing an order for a store in Panama and picking up a couple of California accounts.
Plans for 2027
Over 100 prospective exhibitors visited the show to discuss Winter 2027 Show participation, Rockview Management said.
NY Now returns to the Javits Center Jan. 31–Feb. 2, 2027. The winter show will introduce a simplified floor plan organized around three core destinations – Gift & Lifestyle, Home and Handmade.
The show will also celebrate the return of Handmade, a category long associated with NY Now, alongside expanded agency participation, international exhibitors and the return of the Greeting Card Association’s Noted event.
“On-site sign-up for Winter 2027 indicates we are tracking toward a 96 percent renewal rate,” said Belshaw. “We hosted 107 exhibitor prospects at this show and are working to accommodate them for the upcoming show as well.”
