In the lead-up to the IJF, organisers Expertise Events forecast a significant increase in visitors compared with last year's fair. Walking among the stands on the opening day, that prediction appears to have been accurate!
In fact, there have been so many visitors, the team at Jeweller feared that we may run out of copies of our August issue!
When entering the hall, visitors are greeted by the stunning red-and-black BECKS rebranded stand. Nearby, Palloys was swarmed with people hoping to take a photo with the dazzling 2023 Lexus Melbourne Cup.
Duraflex Group Australia has been a hive of activity, and there’s been a great deal of interest in the new partnership with Daniel Wellington. In the centre of the hall, Sydney cartoonist Brett Bower has been hard at work creating charming caricatures of visitors.
For those looking to expand their business, publicist Karen Eck delivered a rousing presentation titled The Power Of Visibility.
The presentation covered a wide range of marketing topics and was packed with practical information aimed at helping the average retailer boost their profile.
With that said, one piece of advice seemed to really resonate with the audience: “It’s not enough to hope that your work speaks for itself,” Eck explained.
“You might be very proud of the jewellery you create; however, that’s only half the story. You need to be actively reminding people why your jewellery matters in a competitive market.”
There’s a strong international presence on the trade show floor, and approximately 10 per cent of stands are occupied by first-time exhibitors.
The atmosphere on the opening day of the Sydney Fair is always a sight to behold – whether it be a casual catch-up between associates or a long-awaited hug between old friends – it’s great to see everyone under the same roof once again.
ON THE FLOOR DAY 1