Consumer media to attend Sydney fair

In a first for the fair, a select group of fashion and lifestyle consumer magazine editors will be given access to the exhibition floor.

A total of 24 media professionals have confirmed they will attend the Media Morning Tea, which will be held on Tuesday 3 September at 11am. Attendance numbers have exceeded Expertise Events’ expectations who had planned initially for no more than 20.    

Expertise Events managing director Gary Fitz-Roy said the purpose of the event was to provide jewellery suppliers with greater product exposure in the lead up to Christmas as well as drive sales to retail stores. 

“We saw this as a real positive for the industry where we could leverage the fair to showcase the industry, including the latest releases and hot products for the coming season.”

While he couldn’t reveal specifics, Fitz-Roy said that the media professionals represented several major women’s magazines, bridal magazines, men’s fashion and lifestyle publications. Stylists responsible for sourcing products for editorial fashion shoots will also be in attendance. 

The guests will be granted permission to walk the floor following the morning tea. In addition, Simon Meli, a former contestant on popular television program The Voice, will perform during the session. 

See below for Jeweller’s final wrap-up of what to expect at this year’s major industry event.

As reported previously by Jeweller, Austrian-based Swarovski Gems will be exhibiting at the fair for the first time. Aside from providing local retailers with a general overview of its product portfolio, the company will be conducting exclusive seminars about its Gem Visions 2014 report. 

The annual publication comprises of jewellery design directions, themes, trends and inspirations and this year’s issue even included a jewellery piece designed by local supplier Georgini. The item will be showcased during the seminars, which are presented by Gem Visions founder Birgit Rieder. The invite-only presentations will take place at 10am and 2pm each day of the fair.  

Creating shock throughout the industry earlier this week, former president of Pandora Australia, Karin Adcock, confirmed to Jeweller that she was returning to the industry and that her new company, House of Brands, would be showcasing new Danish brands – Julie Sandlau and byBiehl – at the Sydney fair.   

Adcock will also be unveiling another new range, X by Trollbeads, to a select number of jewellery retailers at an exclusive world-first, after-hours presentation on the Sunday and Monday nights of the show. A worldwide embargo has been placed on the line until the official launch in Copenhagen on 17 September.

In addition to the Gem Visions presentations, a long list of free education and training seminars have been planned throughout the three-day event. 

A range of local industry professionals – as well as high profile US-based experts Shane Decker and Lynn Baldwin – will present on various topics including, the World Diamond Mark, branded jewellery, luxury marketing and stock control. 

Why not reward all of that learning by entering some competitions? Many of this year’s exhibitors are offering visitors the chance to take home something extra – including a trip to the 2014 Hong Kong International Jewellery Show.

Click here for more information.

Organisers have added three new pavilions to this year’s fair – Watch & Clock Pavilion, Opals Pavilion and Gemstones Pavilion.

Fitz-Roy explained that the new areas were developed after reviewing international jewellery events and product categories that appealed to the local market. 

The opals and gemstones pavilions will feature collections from more than 60 companies selling loose gemstones, opals, pearls and diamonds. Live daily demonstrations on topics like cutting and polishing will also take place. Read more here. 

While the fair is primarily used for suppliers and retailers to conduct business, there will be opportunities for socialising as well. 

The three buying groups all have gala dinners organised for their members. Leading Edge and Showcase Jewellers have prepared The Great Gatsby-themed events and Nationwide Jewellers will be holding a black and white-themed dinner in celebration of its 20-year presence in New Zealand.

Expertise Events and the Jewellers Association of New Zealand (JANZ) will be hosting a cocktail function dedicated to NZ-based exhibitors and visitors on Monday 2 September from 4:30pm-5.30pm. The JAA will also be holding a cocktail party on Sunday 1 September from 4pm-6pm to launch its On Show exhibition. 

The International Jewellery Fair will be held in Sydney from Sunday 1 September to Tuesday 3 September. Online visitor registration closes at midday today.