By Daniel Guelbart
I’ve just returned from a trip to the Boutique Design New York (BDNY) show, where I was with a new client, Sandalyeci. The market was amazing for many reasons, but particularly because the clientele was extremely focused and hungry for quality goods with great lead times.
And there was another reason the show was such a hit, as this was no ordinary BDNY market—two other shows, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) and the Hotel Experience (HX) were being held at the Javits center at the same time. Because of that, we had the benefit of getting clients from ICFF and HX along with our BDNY visitors at this trifecta of a marketplace.
Clients came from all over the U.S., and the ones we saw are very eager, as they’re already following up. This is a great sign, not only for our business, but also as an indicator of continuing demand for home furnishings. Since we have hundreds of leads, we’re very much looking forward to all the follow up.
Much of that interest also could be attributed to Sandalyeci’s 10-week lead time, which is a big deal when supply chain disruptions and logistical issues are delaying product for months. The company, which is based in Turkey, produces both commercial- and contract-grade outdoor living collections and solid wood tables and chairs in a variety of styles, finishes and fabrics.
All items are custom-made to order in Turkey, and this was a very big deal at the BDNY show, which caters to boutique hospitality clients as well as interior designers. And as soon as those buyers heard about the 10-week lead time, their eyes lit up, as it was so very important for them to finally hear good news.
This was probably one of the most successful national shows I’ve experienced in a long time, and truly it was a breath of fresh air, even though we were all wearing masks.
Daniel M. Guelbart is a leading expert on luxury outdoor furniture. With over 40 years of experience in sales and marketing, he is still as passionate as ever about showcasing best-in-class design. For more information, a list of Daniel’s vendors, or to get in touch, visit www.danielmguelbart.com.
