Antiques Young Guns U.S.A. Logo
We need to foster a new and younger generation of dealers to continue to showcase stunning antique pieces,” says Dan Darby, U.S. Antique Shows general manager.
New York, NY (PRWEB) April 06, 2015
U.S. Antique Shows officially announced its strategic alliance with the Antiques Young Guns U.K. at a press conference held on March 28 at the Pier Antique Show. Originally started in the U.K., the new program, Antiques Young Guns U.S.A., will promote growth, education and exposure to those in the trade, 39 years old or younger, to a national audience of antiques enthusiasts.
“Our industry is uniquely focused on the past and the experiences of those who came before us. We need to foster a new and younger generation of dealers to continue to showcase stunning antique pieces and to impart in-depth knowledge to the public, media and other retailers,” says Dan Darby, U.S. Antique Shows general manager.
“It’s very clear we need to work together to ensure our mutual success and, perhaps, our continuation. Our own research indicates the average age of our show’s buyers is now 55. Each year it seems there is one less show on the calendar. The need for Antiques Young Guns has never been greater.”
The Antiques Young Guns U.K. was founded by noted antique experts Gail McLeod of Antiques News & Fairs, George Johnson of Lady Kentmores, and TV presenter and author Mark Hill in 2011 to foster a new, younger audience’s interest in antiques. Today, the association boasts just under one hundred current members as well as established alumni. Members enjoy benefits such as a mentorship program, online exposure through the Antiques Young Guns marketplace, several buying and selling events throughout the year, and additional recognition in numerous trade and national publications. Members also have the opportunity to win Antiques Young Gun of the Year, which includes a current prize package worth nearly $10,000.
Antiques Young Guns U.K. Ambassador Andrew Skipper also spoke at the morning press conference. Skipper is a lifestyle expert working as a creative consultant in America and Europe. He currently consults for The Antiques Diva and Company, Europe's largest antiques sourcing and touring company which operates in eight countries. “The central ethos of Antiques Young Guns is to promote younger individuals in the antiques industry who will one day become the bedrock of the trade, taking their precious knowledge forward,” he says.
Antiques Young Guns U.S.A.’s first official member is Geoffrey Walsky, owner of Fairfield County Antique & Design Center. Walsky signed up at Pier Antique Show, where he was exhibiting for the first time. “I have owned the design center for just over a year and was looking for ways to connect with young dealers in the antiques industry. I feel Antiques Young Guns U.S.A. is the perfect opportunity for me to network with young business enthusiasts, like myself, and to obtain fresh and new ideas to grow the center.” The Fairfield County Antique & Design Center currently features 70 dealers in more than 20,000 sq. ft.
To help launch the program, Antiques Young Guns U.S.A. gave away five complimentary annual memberships at the Pier Antique Show as well as provided information table with complete Antiques Young Guns U.S.A. registration information.
The program has received tremendous support from industry partners including Ruby Lane; Antiques & The Arts Weekly, the Bee; Maine Antique Digest; Modernism.com; Brass Armadillo Antique Malls; and the Art Deco Society of New York.
The Antiques Young Guns U.S.A. website was launched the day of the press conference and provides further details on the new program and its initiatives. Visit AntiquesYoungGunsUSA.com for more information.
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About U.S. Antique Shows
U.S. Antique Shows, producer of the industry’s most anticipated events, serves the unique needs of the antique and antique jewelry marketplace with shows in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Miami Beach and New York. The group’s events offer a broad range of antiques as well as antique, vintage and estate jewelry and watches, and annually draws more than 50,000 consumers and 3,000 dealers from 28 countries worldwide.
U.S. Antique Shows is a division of Emerald Expositions, North America’s largest owner and operator of business-to-business and consumer tradeshows. The company’s jewelry portfolio is comprised of trade and consumer events including the U.S. Antique Shows division, Couture, JA New York (Summer and Winter), and JA Special Delivery.
For more information, visit http://www.USAntiqueShows.com, like us on Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/OfficialPage.USAntiqueShows, follow us on Twitter: @USAntiqueShows and explore our Pinterest: Pinterest.com/USAntiqueShows. Check out our new blog at blog.usantiqueshows.com.
