The trade events were originally scheduled for 2–8 March, before being postponed to 18–21 May as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The shows were subsequently postponed a second time in late March after the Hong Kong government introduced new restrictions in order to curb the spread of the virus. Until 18 June, travellers to the island – except those from mainland China – are required to quarantine themselves for 14 days.
In other positive news, to assist international attendees before the August shows, the HKTDC has established a Spring Virtual Expo on its online HKTDC Sourcing platform.
From 1–30 April the platform will promote past and present exhibitor products under four themes, with jewellery placed within the ‘Lifestyle’ and ‘Fashion & Beauty’ categories. Watches and clocks will be listed under the ‘Lifestyle’ category.
Visit HKTDC's Spring Viritual Expo: Jewellery Category »
HKTDC management said in a statement, “Large-scale international exhibitions are important channels through which global jewellers can expand their business.
“To help industry players capture business opportunities during this difficult time, we launched a month-long Spring Virtual Expo, enabling global suppliers to maintain and establish contact with buyers during the traditional peak sourcing season.”
The HKTDC will also offer a video-based ‘matching’ service called O2O Business Connect for buyers who are searching for multiple products and unable to travel.
“We hope that the online promotion together with the physical exhibitions in August can complement each other,” the HKTDC statement said, adding that exhibitors and buyers would be sent further details about the upcoming shows.
Addressing safety concerns
The August jewellery shows will take place at the AsiaWorld-Expo venue, which has enlisted the help of a biotechnology company to address safety concerns. Visitors to the venue will be required to enter through a ‘CLeanTech’ disinfection installation which has an automatic door, built-in temperature checking, and a 12-second sanitising process that is effective on clothing and carried items.
Irene Chan, CEO AsiaWorld-Expo Management, said, “A safe and healthy environment is equally important as the state-of-the-art facilities. AsiaWorld-Expo has maintained close communication with [event] organisers and we have high confidence in the future prospects.”
The conference centre itself will use an air purification system and be disinfected with a wide-spectrum liquid sanitiser that is proven to kill both viruses and bacteria; surfaces will also be sterilised using a photocatalytic (light-based) coating, which can prevent the growth of microbes for up to 12 months.
Staff will be provided with masks and hand sanitiser, and uniforms will also be sterilised using the photocatalytic coating.
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Hong Kong jewellery shows postponed once again