Category Archives: PiercingKen Says

General Announcements and Editorial posts.

Presenting The 78th Annual TONY Awards Nominations

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The 2025 Tony Award nominations were just announced from the Sofitel this morning by actors Sarah Paulson and Wendell Pierce. The complete rundown has been secured and shared for you down below along with some closing editorial thoughts on it all. Take a look and congratulations to all of these amazing nominees.

Best Musical
Buena Vista Social Club
Dead Outlaw
Death Becomes Her
Maybe Happy Ending
Operation Mincemeat

Best Play
English
The Hills of California
John Proctor Is the Villain
Oh, Mary!
Purpose
Continue reading Presenting The 78th Annual TONY Awards Nominations

B&H Announces “Bild Expo” 2025 This Coming June

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The Press Release:
After the overwhelming success of the inaugural Bild Expo in 2023, B&H Photo is pleased to announce Bild Expo 2025, a two-day celebration of creativity, content creation, and community. This year’s event will be bigger and better, featuring more speakers, more brand exhibitors, and more opportunities for learning and hands-on experiences. Whether you’re a content creator, photographer, or filmmaker, Bild Expo 2025 will be the can’t miss event of the year—and it’s absolutely free to attend! Bild will take place at New York City’s Javits Center on June 17-18, 2025.

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Bild Expo is more than just an event—it’s an energetic gathering of like-minded creatives from all corners of the content world,” said Jeff Gerstel, Chief Marketing Officer at B&H Photo. “We’re beyond excited to create this special opportunity for content creators, photographers, videographers, podcasters, and filmmakers at all levels to learn, connect, and be inspired by the leaders of our industry and the latest gear.
Continue reading B&H Announces “Bild Expo” 2025 This Coming June

Organizers Offer Up NY NOW Winter Market 2025 Post-Show Recap

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The Press Release:
The NY NOW 2025 Winter Market, held from February 2 – 4, 2025 at the Jacob Javits Center, concluded with remarkable success and showcased a modern blend of programming, activations, and panels. Bringing together iconic brands, emerging designers, and influential buyers from around the globe, the event solidified its longstanding reputation as the premier wholesale trade show for gift, home, and accessories.

This year’s Winter Market introduced a reimagined three-day format that included an extraordinary lineup of exhibitors as well as dynamic discussions and engaging activations. From immersive tours to insightful fireside chats and panels, attendees participated in empowering educational sessions and hands-on opportunities to network, connect, and learn.
“NY NOW’s 2025 Winter Market showcased the innovation and creativity that are driving today’s retail industry,” said Matthew Mathiasen, Show Director of NY NOW. “With a charismatic mix of established and emerging exhibitors, engaging discussions, and networking sessions, the market was truly a destination for discovery, connection, and business growth, setting the stage for the future of retail.”

As part of the Winter Market, the NY NOW Innovation & Impact Awards once again celebrated excellence in the retail space across four categories: Sustainability & Social Impact, which recognizes brands committed to sustainability and social responsibility; the Emerging Brand Award, which honors up-and-coming talent making waves in the industry; the Trailblazer Award, honoring industry visionaries who have made a lasting impact; and the People’s Choice Award, where the diverse NY NOW community votes for their favorite product among finalists on-site.

This year’s winners, who embody innovation and forward-thinking in their respective categories, include:
* Sustainability & Social Impact: N/UM – Known for chef-curated, 100% natural, and sustainably sourced artisan salts that add a unique touch to culinary creations, free of additives or caking agents.
* Emerging Brand Award: LÚDERE – A fine jewelry brand by artist Arielle Zella, offering joyful, uncommon, and easy-to-wear pieces made from 14k solid gold, gold vermeil, and sterling silver with natural gemstones.
* Trailblazer Award: XO Bath – A sustainable soap company that created the XO Bar, a plastic-free, chemical-free soap bar designed for skin health and environmental well-being.
* People’s Choice Award: Mon Ami – Specializing in chic, whimsical heirloom dolls, baby gifts, and elegant home décor, Mon Ami brings world-class design and exceptional quality to its timeless products.

The 2025 Winter Market successfully showcased the latest trends and products, providing attendees with actionable insights and a wealth of opportunities to foster growth. This year’s event solidified NY NOW’s position as a key platform for discovering the latest trends and leading brands in the evolving gift, home, and accessories sectors. Continuing the modern marketplace approach, celebrating retail innovation, and building upon this momentum, NY NOW will host the much-anticipated Summer Market from August 3–5, 2025.
For more information on NY NOW or to learn about upcoming events, visit www.nynow.com (linked below).

About NY NOW:
NY NOW is the leading gift, home, and accessories wholesale trade show in New York City, where brands, buyers, and designers come twice per year to make game-changing connections that supercharge their businesses. NY NOW and online wholesale marketplace partner, Bulletin, connect 5,000+ independent brands with 50,000+ U.S. and international buyers from independent stores, museums, department stores, bookstores, galleries, general gift shop, art & entertainment venues and many more.

With 3 core sections across 35+ product categories, NY NOW encompasses home décor and tableware, gifts, accessories, jewelry, and so much more. Attendees can explore an extensive range of offerings, from stationery, eclectic gifts, and trending home décor to aromatherapy and fragrance, lifestyle accessories, and fine jewelry. The show embraces the unrivaled thrill of in-person connection and endless discovery, alongside NY NOW Online, the integrated wholesale platform, making ordering a breeze for thousands of buyers in attendance. It’s a true hybrid wholesale experience.

About Emerald:
Emerald Holding, Inc. is the largest U.S.-based B2B event organizer, empowering businesses year-round by expanding meaningful connections, developing influential content, and delivering powerful commerce-driven solutions. As the owner and operator of a curated portfolio of B2B events spanning trade shows, conferences, B2C showcases and a scaled hosted buyer platform, Emerald also delivers dynamic solutions across leading industries through its robust content and e-commerce marketplace. Emerald is a trusted partner for its thousands of customers, predominantly small and medium-sized businesses, playing a pivotal role in driving ongoing commerce through streamlined buying, selling, and networking opportunities. Powered by an experienced team, Emerald is fostering impactful engagement and delivering unparalleled market access with a commitment to driving business growth 365 days a year. For more information, please visit: www.emeraldx.com.

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Piercing Ken Thoughts: This was cool news but I admit that I was a tad shocked to find the show revamping into a three day affair. I’ve been attending NY NOW for several years and can state with authority that its gotten smaller over the years and that is likely based on numerous other shows having popped up since I first began my own adventuring in the aisles. I still love the show and have been able to really get some good content for the website that you are now reading along with considerable content for the Official Piercing Ken YouTube Channel. If you’d like to see some of that stuff all you need to do is click the hyperlinked text and a new browser tab will open for you to pick and choose what interests you the most. Though its too early to know my plans for the Summer Market, you can be rest assured that if I am not otherwise engaged that I will be exploring this one once again. Chime in down below if you feel like commenting and I will see you next time with more awesome content.

Official: https://www.nynow.com

Artexpo New York Returns to Pier 36 in Manhattan

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The Press Release:
Redwood Art Group, the nation’s leader in exhibitions and event production, media, and marketing for the global art community, announces its highly anticipated four-day showcase, Artexpo New York, returning to Pier 36 at 299 South Street in Manhattan, from Thursday, April 3 to Sunday, April 6, 2025. Information on exhibitor registration and advance tickets can be found at www.redwoodartgroup.com/artexpo-new-york/.

The annual fine art destination, now in its 48th year, will host more than 200 innovative exhibiting galleries, art publishers and dealers, and artists from across the globe across 70,000 square feet of uninterrupted convention space, showcasing original work of 1000+ artists that includes prints, paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, ceramics, giclee, lithographs and glass works, among other contemporary and fine art.

Throughout its four historic decades in contemporary and fine art, Artexpo New York has hosted the likes of Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Keith Haring and Leroy Neiman; intensifying the discourse on today’s industry challenges and magnifying the very best the fine art world has to offer. In addition to visiting the world’s largest fine art trade show, more than 15,000 avid art enthusiasts and industry leaders will return to enjoy [SOLO], highlighting established and independent emerging artists. This year’s Artexpo New York will also feature its annual lineup of programming within the Artexpo Pavilion and [SOLO] Pavilion, including Art Labs, the Discoveries Collection and Spotlight Program.
Continue reading Artexpo New York Returns to Pier 36 in Manhattan

BroadwayCon Announces Venue Change For Upcoming 2025 Convention

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The Announcement:
The tenth-annual BroadwayCon will now be on Broadway between 45th and 46th streets in the heart of New York’s famed theatre district. All tickets previously bought for BroadwayCon are valid and will be honored! Our new venue is just a few blocks down the street from the previous venue.

WILL THIS CHANGE THE SCHEDULE?
Not really! There may be a few shifts in locations but everything will be updated in our schedule page and on our app. All presenters will be emailed with details.?
Continue reading BroadwayCon Announces Venue Change For Upcoming 2025 Convention