The New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) draws over 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and 85 countries. They visit over 2,800 exhibitions showcasing product lines on the home, lifestyle and gift spectrum. Over $70,000 in wholesale orders were placed at the Aid to Artisans’ booth at the August 2011 show. In addition to wholesale orders placed at the show, the ATA booth is uniquely situated for other exhibitors, importers, and large retailers to see new products, and place sample orders that lead to long-term sales after the show is completed.
     This year, Aid to Artisans is excited to announce the participation of Magdy El Mezain, president of Hamis Carpets in Egypt at its NYIGF booth. Hamis Carpets has been a Mezain family tradition for over 46 years. Still handmade, the carpets have received international acclaim since the company started exporting in 1991. Hamis Carpets provides unmatched quality because of their expertise in creating the finest blends from Egyptian and New Zealand wools. This top notch quality allows them to compete in the global marketplace, especially in Europe where Magdy’s carpets receive increasing demand.
     Hamis Carpets was introduced to ATA during its 3 year Handmade in Egypt project. The enterprise received product development and participated in ATA’s signature Market Readiness Program to learn how to access the US markets.
     Today, Magdy operates a business that produces 10,000 square meters of carpets every year and employs 20 full time weavers. Hamis Carpets exports with countries like Germany, France, Italy, Jordan and Israel. With such overwhelming success the Mezain family has been able to promote the economy in their hometown Fowa, Kafr El Sheikh, about two hours from Alexandria, Egypt.
     The Mezain family tradition has been passed down from father to son and represents a rich Egyptian culture over 7000 years old. Magdy’s success should inspire hope for the developing world. The love, care, and hard work it takes to craft handmade products like Hamis Carpets make them competitive worldwide. Customers are taking notice of the superior value of the handmade tradition. Hopefully Magdy’s participation at the NYIGF will promote economic opportunities for artisans everywhere as they witness Aid to Artisans at work.
     ATA will be located at booth 259 in the Handmade Galleria section.