The recently formed Tabletop Association announced it will continue the New York Tabletop Show on the originally scheduled dates after the upcoming show, April 5-8, 2022.
The Tabletop Association is formed of nine board members from tabletop companies with showrooms at 41 Madison Avenue, longtime home to several floors of tabletop showrooms. The board members include David Zrike, president and CEO of R Square and Zrike brands; Linda Levine, president of Godinger; Lucas Updegraph, CSO of Lenox Corp; Sal Gabbay, CEO of Gibson Homewares; Emon Maasho, CEO of Orrefors & Kosta Boda; Matthew Hullfish, vice president of sales for Casafina; Holli Draughn, president of Vietri; Bill Robedee, president of Portmeirion Group North America; and a representative for Porland USA.
“We are thrilled to form a board to continue the rich history of the tabletop industry and to manage and promote the New York Tabletop Shows,” Zrike said.
Rudin Management Company, owner of 41 Madison Avenue and longtime operator of the New York Tabletop Show at the building, announced earlier this year the forthcoming April show would be the last one produced by building management. The building will continue to serve as a showroom space for tabletop tenants, according to Rudin Management.
“The Rudin organization has been a great supporter of this industry for many years, and their decision not to manage shows anymore is no indication of their lack of support for this industry for the long term,” Zrike told HomePage News.
The Tabletop Association reported it plans to continue the New York Tabletop Show on the originally scheduled dates after the April 5-8, 2022 show. (October 18-21, 2022; April 18-21 and October 10-13, 2023; April 9-12 and October 8-11, 2024; and April 8-11 and October 21-24, 2025).
“We didn’t want to miss a show, especially now, post-pandemic, when we believe shows will again become a more integral part of the industry,” Zrike said. He noted several key retailers advised about the Tabletop Association plans indicated support for the continuation of the New York Tabletop Show.
Tabletop Association membership will not be limited to 41 Madison Avenue tenants, Zrike said. “We certainly will welcome as many members as possible,” he said, noting the association’s founding board represents a cross-section of the tabletop industry.
Membership dues will be used to cover operating costs associated with future New York Tabletop Shows, Zrike said. The Tabletop Association is working on initial show operating plans, as well as the development of other industry service programs, he added.
“We look forward to working with the industry and retailers to continue the show and promote the tabletop business,” Zrike said.
