The Trade Days will be held in Perth from Sunday 13 to Monday 14 March 2022, followed by Adelaide on 20–21 March.
Gary Fitz-Roy, managing director Expertise Events, said, “We are pleased to announce we will return to South Australia and Western Australia in 2022. As industry events are often east coast-focused, retailers in other markets miss out – and it was clear from this year’s Trade Days that a local event allows the industry a cost-effective way to connect.”
Until the 2021 Trade Days, Expertise Events had never held a trade event in South or Western Australia – but both the Perth and Adelaide editions were very positively received.
“This year we started to establish a database and baseline – and it’s the right thing for us to come back and keep building,” Fitz-Roy said.
“East coast retailers have a number of events to serve their needs. By going to South and Western Australia, we are connecting the whole industry, across the country.”
The 2022 Trade Days will maintain the same ‘all-inclusive’ approach for exhibitors, with back walls, tables and chairs, daily lunch, and networking drinks provided.
However, the schedule will shift from a weekend format to a Sunday-Monday format to better serve retailers: “In both states, city stores are generally closed on Sundays, and country retailers are generally busier on weekends, so find it easier to visit the Trade Days on a Monday,” Fitz-Roy explained.
“This format provides the best result for all.”
Registrations open for Sydney Fair
Meanwhile, Expertise Events has also opened visitor registrations for the International Jewellery & Watch Fair (IJWF) several months ahead of schedule, due to increased retailer demand.
Fitz-Roy said interest in registrations had spiked following the Trade Days in February, March, and April.
“Due to demand we opened visitor registration early and have started receiving retailer registrations to attend. This is months ahead of normal registrations and bounces off the back of the Trade Days,” he explained.
Fitz-Roy noted that the opening of the New Zealand ‘travel bubble’ with Australia has also led to “a lot of interest” from across the Tasman: “New Zealand attendance may even set a new fair record, and we look forward to welcoming them.”
He added that both Nationwide Jewellers – which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2021 – and Australia’s youngest buying group, Independent Jewellers Collective, would be holding their buying days on the show floor and providing lounges for members.
In addition to retailers and buying groups, Expertise Events has confirmed a number of exhibitors, including first-time brands.
“As of this week, approximately 7 per cent of the confirmed exhibitors are new exhibitors, and the list is growing – we predict that number will at least double,” he told Jeweller.
The 2021 IJWF also represents an exciting milestone for several jewellery industry businesses, including the Nationwide Jewellers and Showcase Jewellers buying groups, as well as the centenary of men’s jewellery and accessories supplier Cudworth Enterprises.
The IJWF is scheduled to take place from 28–30 August at the ICC Exhibition Centre in Sydney’s Darling Harbour. More information and registration details can be found at www.jewelleryfair.com.au.
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