Leading Edge Group Jewellers, Nationwide Jewellers and Showcase Jewellers will have designated lounge areas at the IJF, taking place from Saturday 26 August to Monday 28 August.
The groups – which represent a combined total of about 670 retailers in Australia – will co-sponsor a Happy Hour at 5pm on the show floor, as well as the inaugural Jewellery Design Awards (JDA) ceremony and cocktail function on the Saturday.
As previously reported by Jeweller, Nationwide and Leading Edge confirmed their presence at the IJF in September 2016; however, Showcase only announced its support for the Expertise Events-run IJF in April this year. Until then, the group stated it would “exclusively support” the Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA) Jewellery Tradeshow, which was cancelled one month later.
Seminars and training
According to Nationwide managing director Colin Pocklington, his group would provide more seminars and workshops in 2017 than in previous years.
“Our enhanced trade fair program recognises the tough trading conditions in the jewellery industry,” Pocklington said.
“Our aim is to help members understand why the market has softened and to provide the training and resources needed to prosper in these difficult retail conditions.”
The comprehensive program will begin with a pre-fair briefing at 8:30am on the fair’s opening day, followed by a series of educational sessions scheduled across Saturday and Sunday.
Members will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on diamond training workshops conducted by Gem Studies Laboratory director Bill Sechos, as well as learn about the latest ways to boost business performance with sessions covering topics such as social media solutions, jewellery photography, branded jewellery, watch evaluation and stock management.
Additional plans
Leading Edge general manager Joshua Zarb confirmed that his buying group’s annual members conference would be held just prior to the IJF.
Taking place from Wednesday 23 August to Friday 25 August, Zarb said the three days would involve numerous training and buying workshop events.
“It has not been an easy year of trade in the 2017 financial year but we have still managed to grow our membership and invest and produce some industry-leading initiatives to keep our group going from strength to strength,” Zarb stated.
Showcase general manager Carson Webb said the buying group’s annual conference was also scheduled for the week before the IJF.
Webb explained that a select number of speakers, including Australian Retailers Association executive director Russell Zimmerman, would make presentations to members during the conference.
In addition, the three buying groups have arranged annual member dinners during the IJF period.
Nationwide’s International Members Dinner will take place on Sunday 27 August at the Cockle Bay Room in the new International Convention Centre (ICC) at Darling Harbour, while the Leading Edge Diamond Awards event is scheduled for Wednesday 23 August at Doltone House Hyde Park.
The Showcase Jewellers members dinner and masquerade ball will be held on Friday 25 August. As previously reported by Jeweller, the event will take place in conjunction with the JAA Australasian Jewellery Awards program.
The IJF will be held at the ICC in Darling Harbour, Sydney.
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