Brooklyn's Progress
September 2001

Brooklyn Goes Global’s (BGG) recently launched marketing and sales program, Brooklyn Originals, made its debut at the San Francisco International Gift Show (SFIGF) August 4-8. Brooklyn Originals targets the sales, marketing and research needs of Brooklyn based designers and manufacturers of home furnishings and gift products. The SFIGF is held twice a year and attracts exhibitors and buyers from around the US. Brooklyn Originals’s booth was located in the Accent of Design part of the show, a juried section that features high-end home furnishings and tabletop items. Joern Lohmann, manager trade relations for BGG, and program assistant Marielle Krul, hosted the following Brooklyn designers and manufacturers: R+D Design, designers and manufacturers of furniture and gift products, Rasco, designers of handmade ceramic and stainless steel bowls for pets, Elseware designers of chained hanging soaps, cocks, salt and pepper shakers and other gift products and Tasty, manufacturer and designer of t-shirts and clocks. As of August 21, Brooklyn Original’s facilitated approximately $10,000 in sales with initial and residual orders still coming in. Orders came mostly from West coast buyers. Inquiries came from such firms and organizations as The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Mariott Hotels and Cirque du Soleil. Brooklyn Originals currently consists of 15 Brooklyn companies with a growing number of firms that would like to participate in the program’s activities. Several projects are in the works to promote Brooklyn Original’s clients. Brooklyn Originals is planning to attend further trade shows in the US and Europe. Shows are an excellent forum to showcase the latest of innovative Brooklyn made gift items and draws thousands of serious gift buyers from across the country and around the world. The program is also considering working with a sales consultant that will assist to generate domestic and international sales for the program’s clients. In addition, Brooklyn Originals in cooperation with iBrooklyn is in the process of developing a virtual catalog called Brooklyn Made and is planning a promotion campaign to industry specific press contacts. For additional information on Brooklyn Originals contact The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce at (718) 875-1000 or at info@brooklynchamber.com.