The Mumbai event has previously attracted more than 1,300 exhibitors and 40,000 domestic and international attendees, and is an important networking event for Indian jewellery manufacturers to connect with international retailers.
However, local lockdowns, international border restrictions, and rising COVID-19 case numbers have prompted the GJEPC to move the event to next year.
At the time of publication, more than 560,000 cases of the virus had been confirmed in India and more than 10.3 million worldwide.
Colin Shah, who assumed chairmanship of the GJEPC on June 23, said the organisation would consult with the Indian government to create “stringent safety norms, while also ensuring that business returns to normal” for the new January dates, which are yet to be announced.
“IIJS remains the most awaited jewellery-buying experience of the year and the show [will] be organised without compromising on anyone’s safety. The team is proactively planning on a new format to bring the industry together once again,” he added.
Shailesh Sangani, convener – national exhibition at the GJEPC, said that IIJS Premiere would be the “first [jewellery] show of the calendar year” and replace its sister show IIJS Signature, which is usually held in February.
“Essentially, it will be IIJS Premiere in the slot of IIJS Signature 2021 with the look, feel and delivery of both shows combined together,” Sangani explained.
“Naturally, it will be of a much larger capacity with a greater number of booths and exhibitors. So we are hopeful of welcoming everyone to this show. We are confident that the start of the fresh year in 2021 will give people more reasons to celebrate.”
Vipul Shah, vice-chairman GJEPC, also expressed optimism for a recovery in the jewellery market over the next six months: “We are hopeful that our international visitors and delegations will be able to visit the IIJS Premiere, as we are expecting everything will return to normal towards the end of this year,” he explained.
IIJS Premiere is the latest international jewellery event to be postponed or cancelled in 2020, following Baselworld, JCK Las Vegas, the Hong Kong International Gem & Jewellery Show, and the JWNZ Trade Fair.
In March, Jeweller reported that the GJEPC had also been forced to postpone its new Indian show, the International Gem & Jewellery Show in Jaipur, which was slated for 1–3 April 2020.
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