For the past 22 years, the Sydney JAA International Jewellery Fair has been held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre. However, due to the Darling Harbour redevelopment project that is expected to continue until January 2017, this year’s show is being held at the Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island.
Fair organiser Expertise Events arranged the preview, with managing director Gary Fitz-Roy explaining that the aim was to instil confidence among booked and potential exhibitors.
“People are always nervous about change,” Fitz-Roy said. “I think it was important for the industry to see the new venue for themselves rather than getting second-hand feedback or rumour-mongering.”
“It was an opportunity for them to see its great advantages and to help them feel more secure,” he added. “We’ve been at Darling Harbour for 22 years and so changing to a new venue is a big thing.”
During his presentation to the group, Fitz-Roy explained that Expertise Events had been fortunate to be able to learn from the other events that had already been held at the Glebe Island venue this year.
“We have ensured that we have taken the good bits and offered solutions for those parts that need it,” he said. “Our approach is to ensure that the retailers’ needs are at the top of our list. We will have more networking activities, more educational areas and more features to inspire. We are also offering an amazing prize just for visiting.”
Positive feedback
According to Fitz-Roy, the new venue was met with positive reviews from attendees, which included suppliers and buying group executives.
Australian Jewellers Supplies director of business development, Selwyn Brandt, was surprised by the venue’s size and sturdy construction. Brandt had expected a “tent” that was “dark, flimsy, and low”, but described the actual venue as being “a well built, solid structure that had excellent natural light and felt airy with a relatively high ceiling”.
Leading Edge Jewellers merchandise manager David Ole was impressed by the quality of the food and catering service, while JIMACO general manager and Showcase Jewellers acting CEO Carson Webb reiterated his support for the fair. “I applaud you [Expertise Events] for the positive and proactive approach you’ve taken to look after the industry and promote this great event,” Webb said.
Fitz-Roy said that after seeing Glebe Island first-hand and how it would be quite different to the traditional Darling Harbour layout, a number of suppliers who were previously reticent had confirmed exhibition bookings.
He also explained that the change of scenery created a “great opportunity to inject new ideas and enhance the exhibition’s features to further add value to the retailers’ visit”.
Attendees at the preview were given an update on the fair – which is the most important event on the jewellery industry’s calendar – as well as an outline of some of the new features that would be introduced into this year’s program.
The 2014 Sydney trade fair will include specialist advice, catwalk parades, a display on world famous diamonds, a jewellers bench, hands-on areas and wedding-themed features.
It will be held from 31 August to 2 September, with the official program expected to be released soon.