Paul Wojcik, Visual and Media Manager, Mottahedeh, who coordinated the lobby displays said: "Specialty stores and designers are especially important to Mottahedeh because they usually have better relationships and more one-on-one personal time with their clients. They look for unique items that many manufacturers don’t make any more. Our Tulipieres are a case in point. The larger piece is a breathtaking 40" high, comes in seven sections and retails for $2700. In the right sales person's hand, it's not unusual they sell in pairs!"

Julia Watts, Owner, Julia Watts LLC looks at specialty stores and interior designers as her target customer and partner. "As a distributor of very high-end luxury lines, I know the importance of communicating features and benefits which takes time and education. For example, the Masterpiece bowl by Hering-Berlin I chose for the display, retails for $10,000. It is both utilitarian and an art piece with painstaking hand pierce work and subtle matte texture associated with an artisan’s studio. These details must be pointed out and explained."

Alexa Stevenson, Special Accounts Manager, William Yeoward Crystal works with large and small specialty stores such as Bebes in Oklahoma City, Plaid Giraffe in Wichita, KS and Claussons in Cincinnati, all which visited opening day of the Gift Show.  "Whether it’s a bride registering for a piece from our new Meadow Collection or a sales associate closing the sale on a centerpiece that might retail around $23,500,  we find it takes a person with experience, knowledge and passion.  This is where specialty stores shine!" 

Katharina Klaus, Marketing Analyst for Royal Copenhagen points out that while dinnerware represents the majority of Copenhagen’s business, many of the service pieces stand alone as gifts.  "Pitchers, bowls, mugs and bonbonnieres can serve double duty.  Our ‘Polar Bear’ figurine on display has attracted a great deal of attention; it’s one of our classics that is timeless and has been produced since the 1880’s and retails at $6200."

Christine Mangold, Sales Director, Meissen Porcelain agrees specialty stores offer exceptionally well trained, informed sales associates who are devoted to their products.  "We have many long term relationships with our accounts like Scully & Scully and Bergdorf Goodman in New York and Tabula Tua in Chicago.  They have the right attitude and know how to explain the complexities of producing these works of art--- and why our Tulip vase, for example, retails for $3000."

Elad Yifrach, Founder and Creative Director, L’Objet, opened his new showroom on the 16th floor at Forty One Madison for the August Gift Show where he has already welcomed a number of customers including Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman.  "Our business is only five years old but we have already achieved a niche with specialty stores which appreciate our attention to the smallest detail; from the precious metals and luxurious crystals we use to our beautifully packaged tabletop appointments and gifts."  

April Durham, Managing Director, Seguso Viro, North America, 9th floor  "The backbone of our business is the specialty retailer. One reason we do so well with them is they are always looking for newness and items that are unique.  We sell to a number of specialty stores including Hall's, Kansas City, Gump's in San Francisco and Avventura and Michael C. Fina in New York.  Some of our specialty pieces are in the Corning Glass Museum.  We are also increasing our outreach to interior designers and architects."