The 2011 Sydney Fair looks to be the most anticipated event in part because of the three anniversaries being celebrated at the fair and also because of difficult trading conditions.
That hasn’t stopped the suppliers preparing their new ranges for launch at the fair as usual, but this year there is a list of other activities scheduled for visitors. With a mixture of entertainment and educational activities, here’s a preview of the events to look forward to.
Live Fashion Show
Expertise Events will celebrate the JAA International Jewellery Fair’s 20th anniversary in style with a live fashion parade that will revolutionise the fair’s day-to-day format.
Dubbed ‘Collection Preview Live’, the European-style runway show will feature professional models wearing exhibitors’ jewellery and watches. A range of exhibitors will showcase their new products in three 15-minute long parades set to take place on the hour at 12 noon, 1pm and 2pm. In addition, Pandora has arranged its own exclusive fashion parade twice a day, at 11am and 3pm.
Young Jewellers
The inaugural gathering of the Young Jewellers Group is scheduled for Monday 3pm at the fair. Expertise Events is sponsoring the meeting with a cocktail party.
After recent reports in Jeweller, the group has gathered momentum and it currently has 113 members on its Facebook page. For more information about joining or helping the group get started, click here.
Win an iPad
The Gemmological Association of Australia has a competition to win an iPad and a Practical Diamond Grading course. The GAA has information about its range of educational courses, aimed at improving your jewellery business.
Visit the GAA stand (E05) and pick up an entry form to get into the draw.
Nationwide
Nationwide has secured the internationally renowned diamond sales trainer Shane Decker for Sydney this year. Decker will present to Nationwide members his ‘Anatomy of a Diamond sale’ presentation from 2pm to 5.30pm on the Saturday before the fair opens.
Nationwide managing director Colin Pocklington explained, “I have been trying to get him to Australia since 1999. He is in my opinion the best diamond sales trainer in the world. He gives retailers specific things that will increase their diamond sales.”
“We have a record of 155 people booked for Shane Decker on Saturday 27. This is the largest attendance achieved for a speaker at the fair. Our diamond workshops are booked out and currently 325 people are booked in for our 20th anniversary dinner,” Pocklington added.
Nationwide has once again arranged for James Maxwell from Tolkowsky London to attend the Sydney fair. Maxwell is bringing the 1919 edition of Marcel Tolkowsky’s book ‘Diamond Design.’
“Members will be able to have photos taken with the book. With Tolkowsky being the number one diamond jewellery brand in the world, we expect to have a few more members appointed as stockists,” Pocklington said.
Leading Edge Group
The Leading Edge buying group has a range of activities planned for its members both at the fair and its annual conference that begins on the Thursday before the fair.
Janice Mack will present a two-hour seminar titled, “Selling diamonds in a different world”.
After two years of development, Leading Edge is launching its new website. Members will have access to a turn-key style website standardised across the entire group.
Leading Edge managing director, Josh Zarb explained that the website is all about preparing members for the digital world. “The reality is that not all jewellers have websites, and we are giving them this opportunity,” Zarb said.
Zarb said it will be the group’s largest conference with record registrations to attend the Sydney fair already received. A number of other educational seminars and presentations are planned for members.
Showcase Jewellers
Showcase's Michael Mishevski is confident this year will have record numbers with members from both Australia and New Zealand in attendance.
Janice Mack's tour around Australia will conclude in Sydney, with sell-out crowds expected at her 'Bridal Selling' seminar. "She would have done twelve cities by the conclusion of Sydney, with over 300 seminar attendees," Mishevski said.
The annual Chairman's dinner featuring their top twenty suppliers and Showcase's Annual General Meeting will all coincide, with other exciting revelations set to be unveiled in Sydney.
In search of an inspiring quote
In the wake of news that Somalia is experiencing devastating famine, Exhibitor Blue Turtles has created a pendant specifically to raise funds for Somalia. The small donut shaped pendant - which can also be used as a charm will also be kept as an ongoing style that Blue Turtles intends to use to raise funds for other causes in the near future.
Part of the Poetic Pieces Collection that has inspiring quotes on each piece, Blue Turtles is now in search of the perfect quote to grace this pendant.
“We’re thinking hard about the quote to go on our fundraising piece, and we want public feedback, so we can get an idea of quotes with most appeal,” Blue Turtles director, Doron Berger said.
The aim is for individuals to vote online at the Blue Turtles website www.blueturtles.com.au Blue Turtles will be showcasing the pendant at Stand I52 at the Sydney Fair.
Live Laser Demonstrations
M2 Lasers will present ‘live’ demonstrations of its laser technology for jewellers including laser welders and laser engravers.
“We will be running demonstrations of our latest laser welders that allow you to weld any metal alloy, without using solders, and without any heat damage to metal or stones,” M2 Lasers Neil Penman explained.
Importance of diamond pipeline
Inspira Diamonds will be giving two presentations per day throughout the fair about the importance of the diamond pipeline.
Steve McClelland has been in the diamond industry for 28 years and has given similar presentations in Western Australia and India, garnering much interest about this subject.
“He was asked to give a talk about the diamond pipeline. It is a side of the industry that not many people are privileged to know and understand,” Director of Inspira Diamonds, Charmaine Thane said.
These presentations will be conducted daily at 11am and 2pm at Inspira Diamonds, Stand B33.
More reading:
Young jewellers set to meet and greet
Jewellery hits the runway in Sydney
JAA International Jewellery Fair
Fashion models to show off jewellery at Sydney fair
Sydney fair brings young jewellers together