Following the overwhelming success of the inaugural gathering of the Australian jewellery industry last month, Expertise Events has now confirmed that the Big Night Out will be returning next year.
The event provided the opportunity for more than 250 members of the local jewellery industry to board a cruise through the picturesque Sydney Harbour under the cover of night, departing from King Street Wharf.
Sponsored by industry supplier BECKS, tickets had sold out around a week in advance – no small feat for a first-time event. When the cruise returned two and a half hours later, it had provided something refreshingly different to the usual industry event.
As part of the announcement, the organiser confirmed that a venue has already been selected, which will be announced at a later date. Perhaps more importantly, the statement confirmed that this year’s structure will remain in place – no speeches or designated seating, plenty of food and drink, and enough entertainment to keep the party going until late in the evening.
The second Big Night Out will take place on Saturday, 22 August 2026.
So what made this event so successful? It’s a deceptively simple question, and one that became a recurring theme at the International Jewellery Fair in Sydney.
There are many reasons, and perhaps one of the most obvious is the need for a gathering in a party-like atmosphere that serves to unite and celebrate the entire trade. There is no hiding the fact that the Australian jewellery industry has been far from harmonious over the past 10 years.
However, many other factors contributed to the event’s success, which is why it has already been scheduled again. Gone were the long speeches, restricted seating plans, and other formalities that can weigh down industry events. In their place was a quick welcome, generous catering, an open bar, a harbour breeze, and eventually, a heaving dance floor.
The shift in tone was deliberate and, in some ways, experimental. The organisers, including Expertise Events, Nationwide Jewellers, Showcase Jewellers, and the Independent Jewellers Collective, all acknowledged that they were willing to take a risk and try something new.
And they were all proven correct - it was a wonderful night.
For some, it was about getting the basics right – good food, good drink, and good music. Others highlighted the importance of timing, as it was hosted after the first day of trading at the International Jewellery Fair, and was an ideal opportunity to unwind after a frantic opener.
The lead-up to every Sydney Fair is stressful for exhibitors, retailers, and reporters alike – it’s the largest annual event on the industry’s calendar, and making the wrong call or decision could be the difference between a successful or challenging year ahead.
The timing undoubtedly contributed to the atmosphere – another factor – of the event, which was professional yet relaxed, stylish but not stiff. Atmosphere sets the emotional tone.
For those who have participated in decades of industry dinners, the cruise offered a welcome departure. Pumping music and flowing drinks may have convinced some that very little ‘productive’ networking was underway; however, anecdotal reports the following day suggested that many retailers and suppliers made introductions during the evening that may prove fruitful in the years to come.
I’ve attended more than my fair share of ‘shindigs’ – some memorable and others I wish I could forget. A great party at the centre of the weekend lifts your spirits, and the stories from these events become fodder for ‘remember when’ conversations around campfires with friends for years to come.
A bad party can leave you wondering why you ever bothered leaving the house. I’ve long argued that New Year’s Eve parties are the worst of all – people so often hype the evening up to be something innately special or magical, and it rarely is.
Whatever the case, the Big Night Out achieved something important - it brought the industry together for an evening. In an industry grappling with more than its fair share of challenges – from apprentice shortages, online retail scammers, and international tariffs – unity isn’t just something that’s nice to have; it’s essential.
It’s an example of the kind of harmony that will be necessary to overcome the challenges not only facing the trade today, but also the as-yet unknown issues of tomorrow.
At its core, a great party doesn’t just entertain; it also connects. For the jewellery industry, where even innocuous conversations can shape a career or business, these moments matter.
The laughter, the dancing, the unguarded conversations – each creates the glue that holds the industry together. So perhaps the secret isn’t so secret after all: get the people right, set the stage well, and then, most importantly, let go just enough to allow the magic to happen.
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