It is the beginning of October, and the New York-New Jersey area rug industry is still abuzz from the excitement of the two major Fall Market trade shows that took place in September — Cover Connect in Midtown Manhattan and The Rug Show in Secaucus, New Jersey.
The Rug Show ran Sept. 7 – 9 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in New Jersey, and Cover Connect NY ran one week later, from Saturday, Sept. 14 – 16 at the Metropolitan Pavilion and the adjacent Altman Building in New York City.
The schedule with the two shows held on different weekends (as opposed to the same weekend as in previous years) was convenient for some, yet made it challenging for others to be able to attend both events. Of the two shows, it seemed the timing of Cover Connect NY was more optimal for most attendees. This scheduling coordination issue is a long-time challenge for show organizers, which we hope can be addressed in the future.
Scheduling aside, there was plenty of news and adulation coming from both shows, with the curated list of exhibitors from The Rug Show showcasing their latest rugs first in the airy expanse of the Meadowlands Expo Center, including Afghan Bazar Rugs Inc., Alpine Rug, Andkhuy Rugs, Anwar Rugs, Art Resources, Farshchi Inc., Kehkashan Rugs, Neman International, Rug & Kilim, Turkish Rug Company, and Turquoise Mountain.
CCNY had a great deal of energy and excitement, with 45 exhibitors converging in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood, including such top firms as Amer Rugs, Anadol Rugs, Asha Carpets, Asia Minor Carpets, Battilossi, Bespoke Tibetan Carpets, Caravan, Creative Matters, Creative Touch, Design Materials Inc., Eliko Rug Gallery, Fashchi Inc., French Accents, Harounian Rugs International, Izza Berber, Jade Industries Inc., Jaipur Living, Kirkit Rugs, Knot & Co., Knots Rugs, LabelSTEP, Lapchi, Lila Valadan, Momeni, New Moon, Pampas Leather, Paulig, Rebel Carpets, Rug & Kilim, Rug Icon, S&H Rugs, Samad Rugs, Sergio Mannino Studio, Stark Studio Rugs, Sumaq Alpaca, Tamarian, Tibet Rug Company, Tissage, Wendy Morrison Design, Wool & Silk, and Zollanvari.
Peter Woodaman, Rug Insider Publisher was a first-day attendee at Cover Connect, and stated, “It was great to see rugs flipping on the floor. It was great to catch up with old friends as well.”
I attended both shows and found the airy environment and expansive exhibition space at The Rug Show to make for a great way to be able to see the exhibitors and their lovely rugs in greater detail, and with plenty of time to be able to allot to each booth. I was also wowed by the variety of exhibitors and the hustle and bustle of CCNY and found it to be as strong an assemblage of top rug vendors as has been around in New York for many years.
CCNY also hosted a well-received cocktail party on Sunday evening, September 15, to which exhibitors and attendees were welcomed to celebrate and converse over drinks and refreshments.
In addition to the show’s cocktail party, exhibitor Rug & Kilim, which was one of the stalwart companies to showcase their rugs at both The Rug Show and at Cover Connect, also hosted a private reception at their showroom in Long Island City, with a preview of some of their latest and most exciting rug lines by Josh Nazmiyal—along with music, drinks, and more.
It was a great series of rug trade fairs over back-to-back weekends, with hundreds of fantastic rugs on display in both shows and numerous attendees checking out the latest and greatest products at each venue.
therugshow.com
thecoverconnect.com
