And in a surprise move, the location has changed.
The fair’s managing director, Gary Fitz-Roy, said, “The Australian jewellery industry has recognised the importance of a trade fair at the beginning of the year, and after two fantastic years at the Gold Coast, we’re excited to announce a bold new chapter for The Australian Jewellery Fair.
“We are moving to Adelaide!”
The fair’s significant support indicates a need for a trade event at the beginning of the year to take advantage of retailers' need to restock after the Christmas and New Year’s trading cycles.
For those who have attended as suppliers or retailers, the holiday-like atmosphere was part of the Gold Coast’s success and charm.
The three buying groups, which have backed the AJF collectively, have also been responsible for capturing and promoting the combination of a holiday-like business trip.
Fitz-Roy explained that the decision to move the AJF to Adelaide was made with the backing of the groups that hold their conferences in conjunction with the fair.
“After consultation with the buying groups, we have decided to keep the buzz alive, and in order to continue to keep our early year fair fresh, vibrant, and eagerly anticipated year after year, it’s time to take the next step.
“We believe South Australia will continue that holiday-like buzz and atmosphere. And by the way, this doesn’t mean Adelaide is our new permanent home, it's just the next chapter in our larger vision,” he said.
Adelaide will be an exciting location for a tourism and business event for the jewellery industry.
“The world-renowned Adelaide Convention Centre will also assist jewellery wholesalers that might not have regular access to such opportunities, opening doors to fresh business prospects,” Fitz-Roy said.
He added: “It would surprise no one that we have taken a leaf out of the AFL’s ‘Gather Round', which has breathed new life into Adelaide.”
The decision has other advantages, including being more central for Victorian, Tasmanian and Western Australian retailers and being served by more flights and airlines.
“Adelaide has the added advantage of being easily accessible with a wider choice of daily, cost-effective flights than the Gold Coast. The Adelaide Convention Centre will be more convenient for visitors from Western Australia. At the same time, being easily accessible with a wider choice of daily flights from all major East Coast capital cities than the Gold Coast,” Fitz-Roy said.
Following on from the success of the Gold Coast, he is "confident that our move to ‘City of Churches' will roll out the red carpet for the industry, in full knowledge that jewellery retailers and wholesalers will enjoy - and combine - the tourist advantages that South Australia has to offer while on business.”
Part of the success of the AJF has been the way it is positioned in the market.
As a smaller show — one not competing with the full-scale international event in Sydney — the AJF will remain a boutique-style fair in a tabletop format.
“The location will change, but our successful formula won’t. Not only does the tourism and vacation angle play a vital part in the success of The Australian Jewellery Fair, so does our strategy,” Fitz-Roy said.
“It will maintain the up-close and personal approach.”
The 2026 Australian Jewellery Fair will be held in April (19-20) in Adelaide, with an anticipated move to another tourism city in 2027.
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