In a statement, Sarin Bachmann, group vice-president, JCK & Luxury/Reed Jewelry Group, explained that the decision was made in response to “candid feedback” from the jewellery industry.
“After a year without an opportunity for the jewellery community to gather together, it is important to JCK to facilitate an in-person event in the most positive and safe way possible,” Bachmann said.
At the time of publication, the US had recorded more than 25 million COVID-19 cases and 425,000 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. A national vaccination program commenced earlier this month.
“Following thoughtful discussion with our advisory boards, partners, and customers, we have decided to move JCK and Luxury to a late August date," Bachmann said.
“We know our industry is eager to come together again, and we are excited to bring many new opportunities in 2021 to source, connect, learn, and ultimately conduct business on and off the show floor before, during, and after JCK and Luxury.”
Both shows retain their original venue, The Venetian Resort & Sands Expo. JCK Luxury will be held from Tuesday 24 August and JCK Las Vegas will take place Friday 27 August, with both concluding Monday 30 August.
A number of other international jewellery shows have also been postponed, including the Istanbul Jewelry Show. Organiser InformaMarkets confirmed the event has been rescheduled from 25–28 March to 27–30 May.
Swiss shows in doubt
Meanwhile, doubts are growing over whether HourUniverse, the replacement show for Baselworld, will go ahead in a physical format.
HourUniverse was scheduled for 8–12 April in the city of Basel. However, UK publication WatchPro reports that a statement was recently circulated to exhibitors confirming the event will be postponed "by a few months".
“We are currently assuming mid-June as the earliest possible date, but we will continue to monitor the situation closely and examine all possibilities. If the conditions for holding the event should change again, we will also consider later dates in the year,” WatchPro quotes the statement as saying.
“With this quick and early decision, we would particularly like to support our exhibitors in their business planning for the current year. We are convinced that our decision is the right one and that it meets the interests of all stakeholders in the industry. Of course we will keep you up to date on all new data and current developments in the next few weeks.”
Coinciding Swiss shows, including Watches & Wonders Geneva, have already cancelled their physical events, shifting instead to a digital format.
At the time of publication, a note on the HourUniverse website read, “Due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, we are assessing new dates to hold a live HourUniverse show in Basel in 2021,” however no further details were pubilcly available.
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