Rockview Management Group Acquires NY Now Wholesale Marketplace

Industry veterans Dorothy Belshaw, William Lacey, and Karen Olson aim to grow the iconic gift and home trade show.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 7:39pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of premium, polished business objects arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the strategic vision and growth initiatives of the new owners of NY Now.The acquisition of the iconic NY Now trade show by a new management group signals an opportunity to reinvent and revitalize the event for the evolving gift, home, and lifestyle industries.NYC Today

Rockview Management Group, a newly formed entity led by respected industry veterans Dorothy Belshaw, William Lacey, and Karen Olson, has acquired the 100-year-old NY Now wholesale marketplace from Emerald Holding, Inc. The group plans to build on NY Now's strong foundation and position the brand for future growth, with a focus on strengthening community and buyer engagement, expanding the resource offering, and reimagining the tradeshow floor experience.

Why it matters

NY Now has long been a cornerstone of the wholesale gift, home, and lifestyle industries, connecting brands and buyers in New York City. The acquisition by Rockview Management Group, led by experienced industry veterans, signals an opportunity to reinvent and revitalize this iconic trade show to better serve the evolving needs of exhibitors and attendees.

The details

Rockview Management Group (RMG) will lead the next chapter of NY Now, which takes place twice annually at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Dorothy Belshaw, who previously served as show director for NY Now, will take on the role of co-owner and CEO of RMG. William Lacey, with over 30 years of CFO experience, and Karen Olson, with 28 years in the gift and home industries, round out the leadership team. RMG's transformation strategy includes expanding the resource offering, strengthening exhibitor value, elevating the customer experience, reimagining the tradeshow floor, and leveraging data and modern marketing to support growth and engagement.

  • NY Now was founded more than 100 years ago.
  • The next NY Now event is scheduled for August 2-4, 2026.

The players

Rockview Management Group

A newly formed entity that has acquired the NY Now wholesale marketplace, with the goal of building on its strong foundation and positioning the brand for future growth.

Dorothy Belshaw

The co-owner and CEO of Rockview Management Group, with 33 years of experience in the gift and trade show industry, including eight years as show director for NY Now.

William Lacey

A partner at Rockview Management Group, with over 30 years of CFO experience, including extensive work in mergers and acquisitions.

Karen Olson

A partner at Rockview Management Group, with over 28 years of experience in the gift, home, and trade show industries, including leading successful brand transformations and data-driven growth initiatives.

Emerald Holding, Inc.

The previous owner of the NY Now wholesale marketplace, which has now been acquired by Rockview Management Group.

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What they’re saying

“NY Now has always held a special place in this industry. Having spent many years leading this show, I know firsthand the impact it can have when thoughtfully merchandised and deeply connected to the needs of the industry. We are incredibly excited to honor its legacy while growing it with a relentless focus on delivering meaningful outcomes for brands and buyers alike.”

— Dorothy Belshaw, Co-owner and CEO, Rockview Management Group

What’s next

Rockview Management Group plans to unveil more details about the August 2-4, 2026 NY Now event at the Javits Center in the coming months, with exciting new updates to follow.

The takeaway

The acquisition of NY Now by Rockview Management Group, led by experienced industry veterans, presents an opportunity to reinvigorate this iconic trade show and better serve the evolving needs of the gift, home, and lifestyle industries. By focusing on strengthening community engagement, expanding the resource offering, and enhancing the overall customer experience, the new owners aim to position NY Now as a must-attend event for brands and buyers alike.