The five Trade Days events are scheduled to take place in March and April, at venues on the Gold Coast and in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth.
Nationwide Jewellers, Australia’s largest buying group, will have an official presence at all the Trade Days, while Independent Jewellers Collective – the nation’s newest buying group, founded in 2020 – will be at the Gold Coast and Sydney dates, with a view to potentially participating in the other events.
Leading Edge Group Jewellers will also be present at the Sydney event – to be held 13–14 March at ICC Sydney – and has expressed support for members who wish to attend the other Trade Days.
And finally, Showcase Jewellers – Australia’s second-largest buying group – has confirmed it will not have stands at the Trade Days, but will encourage members to attend and is planning member training sessions on the days prior to each event.
The Trade Days schedule is as follows:
• Gold Coast: 7–8 March at QT Hotel
• Sydney: 13–14 March at ICC Sydney
• Melbourne Gift & Lifestyle: 20–22 March at Melbourne Exhibition Centre
• Adelaide: 27–28 March at Adelaide Showgrounds
• Perth: 10–11 April at Perth Convention Centre
At the time of publication, all were still set to proceed as planned, with Gary Fitz-Roy, managing director Expertise Events, expressing optimism despite the recent ‘circuit-breaker’ snap lockdown across Victoria.
“We are watching Victoria but we believe it will follow suit with South Australia and Western Australia – following this short lockdown, there will be a return to normality of business,” Fitz-Roy told Jeweller.
“The reality is that COVID-19 is going to be around in the future, and like the flu, it will be managed. Sooner or later we've got to get on with life and business, and building momentum this year is crucial.”
Fitz-Roy emphasised the importance for retailers and suppliers to meet face-to-face – especially given the disruption of 2020: “Jewellery is tactile and based on personal relationships, and we can sometimes forget that. Seeing and talking to people is how we operate in the jewellery industry and that's what's important – and the Trade Days are a chance to do that.”
He added that Expertise Events’ safety planning had been approved by all the Trade Days venues as well as state health officials, saying that attending the events was now “no more risky than going to a shopping centre”.
Fitz-Roy also confirmed that all four buying groups have expressed support and commitment to the IJWF, which is scheduled to take place from 28–30 August at the ICC Sydney.
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