With the next edition of the (HKJGF) set to begin in less than a month, the trade show’s organiser Informa Markets has confirmed it will go ahead as planned, amid continuing local unrest. The event will be held from 16–20 September at the AsiaWorld-Expo and 18–22 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
In a post on the official fair website, Informa management acknowledged that some exhibitors and prospective visitors had expressed concerns about security and operations, particularly after demonstrations forced a mass grounding of flights at Hong Kong International Airport earlier this week.
However, the update confirmed that flights have resumed as normal and that the airport’s security has been boosted, alongside a court order restricting protestors to designated areas in the arrival hall.
Extra preparations for the fair venues for “virtually every different scenario” have also been developed, according to an Informa Markets representative who spoke to Rapaport News.
“We recognise the challenges we face given the recent public incidents in Hong Kong, but rest assured we have prepared – and are constantly updating and adjusting – a comprehensive contingency plan in partnership and in close co-ordination with all industry stakeholders,” they said.
In addition, attendees will be able to access regular traffic and security updates through social media and the official fair website.
The protests are also expected to ease in the coming weeks as students return to school and university for the September term.
Considered one of the cornerstone international jewellery trade shows of the year, the upcoming HKJGF is set to host more than 3,500 exhibitors and an estimated 40,000 attendees.
The event will feature several standout attractions, including GIA GemFest and seminars on identifying lab-grown diamonds and heat treatments for corundum, the Gemstone Pavilion featuring more than 70 top colour gem suppliers, limited-edition jewellery collections celebrating the 100th anniversary of Bentley, and a wide variety of pearl exhibitors.
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