One of the most significant adjustments relates to the post-Christmas trade show that traditionally kicks off the year in late February. While this year’s event took place at the Gold Coast, the Australian Jewellery Fair will move to Melbourne in 2016, alternating with Queensland every second year.
Expertise Events managing director Gary Fitz-Roy said the decision to rotate locations was made after reviewing industry feedback.
“Every year we review and take on board retailer and industry feedback. For the last few years it has been suggested that we alternate the Queensland and Melbourne fair, so it’s with delight we have been able to secure the 2016 date for the Melbourne fair,” he explained.
The 2016 trade show will be held from 27 to 28 February at the Royal Exhibition Building.
In addition, Fitz-Roy said that buying groups Showcase Jewellers and Leading Edge Jewellers had agreed to schedule their conferences and buying days in line with the timing of the fairs.
“It’s in the industry’s best interest to have the buying groups conduct their buying as part of the trade fair and on the fair floor to help reduce costs and time for exhibitors.
“This is even more important now in tougher economic conditions so we are committed to working with the groups in an endeavour to deliver savings for them and their suppliers with everything taking place in the one location,” Fitz-Roy said.
Trade days return
The second major announcement is that the three buying groups and the Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA) will officially support this year’s roadshow-style trade days. Similar events were held in Adelaide and Perth in 2014.
Renamed the JAA Jewellery Trade Days, the one-day events will again take place in October and aim to provide retailers who may not be able to attend the larger trade fairs in Sydney and the Gold Coast with an opportunity to meet with suppliers and purchase product.
With the exclusive support of the JAA and buying groups, Fitz-Roy confirmed the roadshow trade days would not only continue to take place in Adelaide and Perth but that a third location, Melbourne, had also been added to this year’s schedule.
The location for this trade day going forward will alternate between Melbourne and Brisbane, ensuring the calendar is in line with the larger two-day Australian Jewellery Fair.
“What we have now is a very clear vision for the next two years that rolls back into the opening of the new Darling Harbour venue in Sydney in 2017,” Fitz-Roy said.
As previously reported by Jeweller, the Exhibition Centre at Darling Harbour is currently being redeveloped. It is expected that the new venue will be completed in time for the Sydney fair in 2017.
Fitz-Roy confirmed the schedule for the annual JAA International Jewellery Fair in Sydney would not alter.
This year’s JAA International Jewellery Fair will take place at the Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island in Sydney and will be held from 29 August to 31 August.
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