By Laura Beach
Karen and Ralph DiSaia, Diana Bittel and Anne Hamilton were photographed at the 2015 Newport show.
PHILADELPHIA, PENN. — Karen and Ralph DiSaia and Diana Bittel will return as managers of the Philadelphia Antiques & Art Show in 2017. The organizers redesigned and relaunched the decades-old fair, a benefit for Penn Medicine, in 2016. It had been canceled the previous year.
DiSaia-Bittel arrived at their decision after completing a feasibility study and submitting it, along with their updated requests for 2017, to Penn Medicine.
The Philadelphia Antiques & Art Show will open with a gala preview party on Thursday evening, April 20, and continue through Sunday, April 23, at the Navy Yard. Anne Hamilton, Nancy Kneeland and Nancy Taylor have agreed to co-chair the show, whose advisory committee consists of Hamilton, Kneeland, Richard Worley and Joan Johnson.
“These are very seasoned and dedicated individuals,” said Karen DiSaia.
The managers received the overwhelming backing of exhibitors, 54 of 58 of whom indicated that they wanted to return to the Navy Yard in 2017.
“These are our friends and colleagues. Their encouragement was key to our decision,” said Bittel, who expects few changes to the template developed in 2016.
Management is looking at ways to enhance the show’s appeal by updating and diversifying its content, Bittel said.
“The challenges we face are the ones every show faces today. We are working proactively to bring in new audiences. We have some great ideas that are still in the formative stages because we are just getting started,” said Karen DiSaia.
DiSaia-Bittel has locked in special show rate for accommodations at Marriott’s Courtyard Philadelphia South at the Navy Yard, 1001 Intrepid Avenue, adjacent to the parade grounds where the purpose-built tent housing the fair will be erected. To book rooms at the hotel, call 215-644-9200.
As in past years, the Antiques Dealers Association of America (ADA) will host its annual Award of Merit dinner at the show. ADA President James Kilvington said details on the dinner would be announced shortly.
For information on the 2017 Philadelphia Antiques & Art Show, contact Penn Medicine at 610-902-2109; www.disaiamanagement.com or 860-908-0076; or www.dianabittelantiques.com or 610-525-1160.
