The fair – which takes place from Sunday 17 March to Monday 18 March – will comprise more than 70 exhibitors, with roughly a third being newcomers to the Brisbane event.
Organiser Gary Fitz-Roy said the fair would provide retailers, particularly from Queensland, Northern NSW and Northern Territory regions, with an opportunity to seek out current marketplace offerings and network with industry peers. Networking drinks will be held from 4:15pm-5pm on Sunday.
In addition, for the first time in two years, the event will feature two seminars that Fitz-Roy believes will interest all retailers. The presentations will be led by director of creative marketing agency TwoCents Group Simon Dell and will focus on the changing face of retail.
Taking place on Sunday 17 March at 11:30am, the first seminar “Shopping: How It's Changing & How Consumers Have Changed” will compare old and new retail models and highlight success stories in different retail channels.
The second presentation “Technology: Adapt or Die!” will be held on Monday 18 March at 11:30am. The session will cover the main tools used by customers when they shop, how social media can help businesses improve and why retailers need to seriously consider putting their businesses online in order to reach new markets and survive.
Commenting on Queensland’s recent spate of bad weather, Fitz-Roy said: “Queensland is a growing market but has again this year faced some natural disaster challenges. But they are a very committed state in everything they do and I feel there are some positive things happening.”
New suppliers come to town
The Brisbane fair is becoming an appealing venue for suppliers looking to expand into new markets throughout Queensland and neighbouring states.
Bianca Silver, founder and designer of jewellery brand Bianc, said her decision to exhibit in Brisbane was influenced heavily by the success she experienced at the Melbourne jewellery fair earlier this year.
“Bianc opened many new accounts across Australia at the fair. I think there was a great response to the brand as it was something new, fresh and exciting,” Silver explained.
She said she hoped the Brisbane fair would provide greater exposure for the line and consequently gain more stockists, particularly in Queensland. “I feel Bianc could have more of a presence there,” she added
The entire Bianc collection – which consists of sterling silver jewellery accented with gemstones – will be showcased at the event. A new range of Bianc Mademoiselle earrings will also be launched.
Also exhibiting for the first time in Brisbane is gemstone supplier Seda Gems, which is associated with Seda Opals. The fair will mark the family-based company’s first foray into trade shows.
Seda Gems’ Ross Sedawie said aside from being a local location – the supplier is based on the Gold Coast – the Brisbane fair has a reputation for attracting buyers from Asia Pacific as well as the east coast of Queensland.
“It is a great venue to get our name out there, especially to customers who do not operate in one of the major cities,” Sedawie explained.
“The main goal is to introduce ourselves to the market as suppliers of coloured gemstones. We have many years of experience with opals and we are excited to expand into the business of selling coloured gemstones.”
Buying group update
Australia’s three buying groups will be in attendance at the Brisbane fair.
Nationwide Jewellers’ Colin Pocklington said the buying group would use the Brisbane fair in the same way as Melbourne – to promote its 2013 events.
“We are repeating what we did in Melbourne, which worked very well. We have prepared gift bags for members with information on upcoming promotions and events,” Pocklington said. These include a conference with keynote speaker David Geller in May and diamond sales training with Shane Decker at the JAA International Jewellery Fair in September.
Pocklington said although the group could never be certain how many members would attend, it currently had 25 retail stores registered for the fair.
Earlier, Showcase Jewellers reported that the group had a full schedule for the fair as well as the week prior to the event. Its annual members’ conference will be held on the Gold Coast at the Palazzo Versace from Wednesday 13 March to Saturday 16 March.
As previously reported by Jeweller, trading tables will no longer feature within the three buying groups’ lounges during operating days at JAA Australian jewellery fairs. The groups’ booths will now act primarily as meeting places for members, providing refreshments and additional education.
The formula was first introduced at the Melbourne fair in February and will have its second test in Brisbane.
According to Showcase national retail manager Carson Webb, the changes provide Showcase with an opportunity to engage more with suppliers and members on the floor.
Webb said Showcase had always concentrated heavily on its members lounge but really hadn’t had the opportunity to walk the floor.
“We feel the changes are positive and are best for all involved. As they say ‘you don’t have to be sick to get better’, so being on the constant lookout for tweaks and improvements are a part of business and certainly in every aspect of what we do.”
Leading Edge managing director Josh Zarb said the group would be offering individual training sessions at the fair, which would take advantage of new resources available to its members.
“We will be hosting sessions on digital marketing strategies and management training for our members. We will also use the time to meet with people that have enquired about membership,” Zarb explained.
The Brisbane jewellery fair will be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. Opening hours are Sunday 10am-5pm and Monday 10am-4pm.
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