The Treasure Chest prize draw is the latest in a number of a new additions to this year’s JAA International Jewellery Fair, which will be held from Sunday 31 August to Tuesday 2 September at the Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island.
Part of the fun behind the Treasure Chest promotion plays on the new location’s name. “Even though Glebe isn’t really an island, it doesn’t mean that we can’t have some fun with the idea of a treasure chest!” fair organiser Gary Fitz-Roy said.
The chest will be filled with jewellery products donated by suppliers including Gerrim International, Peter W Beck and Bolton Gems. Visitors will receive an entry into the draw every time they spend $1,000 with a participating exhibitor.
“The lucky winner can keep it themselves as a gift or can use it as a giveaway or upgrade for consumers buying in their store,” Fitz-Roy explained.
The Treasure Chest is one of many new features already announced for the jewellery fair. As previously reported by Jeweller, this year’s event will include a live bench demonstration, the World Famous Diamonds exhibition, and presentations from Pandora Australia president David Allen, high-profile jeweller Nic Cerrone, and US-based international jewellery retail expert Jimmy DeGroot.
“This year is about setting the bar and taking the event to a whole new level,” Fitz-Roy said. “There is so much on offer – not only in product releases, but also with so many value-adds and bonuses exclusively at the fair. The educational insights alone are world class – all of which can add value to every retailer’s business – and all are free.”
The three jewellery buying groups will also be hosting a variety of activities for members, the details of which have been listed below.
Nationwide Jewellers
Nationwide Jewellers will hold a number of seminars across the first two days of the Sydney jewellery fair, starting with a breakfast briefing on Sunday morning.
Member-only presentations will include a series of diamond workshops; details on the buying group’s new benchmarking system, Jewellers Guardian; both basic and advanced Facebook training; as well as information on the new Nationwide program that allows customers to upgrade their diamonds to larger sizes.
Nationwide will also be hosting presentations that are open to the general industry, including a seminar from Allen – as mentioned above – on how retailers can harness the power of their staff, a state of the industry report from newly appointed Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA) executive director Amanda Hunter, and an overview of Australian Consumer Law and what it means for the jewellery industry from Nationwide managing director and JAA Code committee chairman Colin Pocklington.
Over the course of the fair, Nationwide will launch a new “upmarket” diamond catalogue and showcase its Christmas catalogue merchandise. Its member dinner will be held on Sunday evening at Dockside, Darling Harbour.
Showcase Jewellers
Showcase Jewellers will be kicking off its annual pre-fair conference by welcoming members with a cocktail reception on the Thursday 28 August, followed by a members meeting on the Friday 29 August.
The buying group will hold its supplier buying day on Saturday 30 August. It will also host a Bollywood-themed gala dinner later that evening at Dockside, Darling Harbour, which will include a presentation of the 2014 Showcase Jewellers Retailer of the Year Award.
Throughout the jewellery fair, the buying group will provide a hospitality lounge on the show floor where members will be able to consult with Showcase’s marketing team, digital professionals and retail experts on any assistance they may require.
“It’s great to support our members, our suppliers, the jewellery fair and therefore the industry in these current challenging times for the independent jewellery retailer. So we’re delighted to be leading in concepts and actioning new strategies to strengthen the future,” Showcase’s acting CEO Carson Webb said.
Leading Edge Jewellers
Leading Edge Jewellers will also be hosting its annual conference prior to the fair from Thursday to Saturday.
Across the three days, the buying group will launch a number of new marketing initiatives, including the latest version of its e-commerce member platform and industry app.
On the Thursday evening, the buying group will present its member and supplier awards at a gala dinner, with its buying day scheduled for Friday.
“We will also have National Online Retailers Association’s Paul Greenberg, coming to give a special keynote speech that has been tailored for our group to help explain the relevance of bricks-and-mortar retailing and online retailing, and how to make sure we cover both bases well,” Leading Edge general manager Josh Zarb explained.
He added that during the fair itself, Leading Edge would focus mainly on meeting and greeting potential new members.
When asked about how its members felt towards the fair, Zarb commented, “The members are positive. They’re looking forward to something a bit different. Things are absolutely pumping with our group. It’s exciting.”
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