Gary Fitz-Roy, managing director Expertise Events, said the number of tables available to suppliers had been capped in order to “ensure the best possible return” for participating businesses, allowing them to interact more fully with retailers.
“This is the first chance in 14 months to reconnect with retailers and colleagues. It’s an important part of the healing and rebuilding of relationships as well as ensuring the foundation is set for the year ahead,” Fitz-Roy said.
“Meeting face-to-face is far more effective than any virtual event,” he added.
While supplier support for the first of the Trade Days events – which will move on to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth throughout March and April – retailer enthusiasm has also been building.
“Our Queensland database of retailers have personally been mailed with a letter of invitation,” Fitz-Roy said.
“While registration will also be available on-site, we ask retailers to pre-register online and print out their admission badge for contactless entry to the show floor.”
The benefits for retailers include the ability to talk one-on-one and face-to-face with suppliers, see and touch products and discover new ranges, as well as a Sunday afternoon Happy Hour networking drinks, sponsored by Jeweller.
Buying groups support
Colin Pocklington, managing director of Australia’s largest buying group, Nationwide Jewellers, said, “We are already getting quite a few members registering even though we haven’t sent out the registration forms officially yet!”
Nationwide will have a presence at all the state-based Trade Days, and each member will receive $25,000 in ‘Trade Days Dollars’ to spend with suppliers exhibiting at one or more of the events, for a total of $10 million. The Trade Days Dollars qualify for Nationwide's Members Rewards Scheme, launched in July 2020, which allows retailers who spend with preferred suppliers to win prizes.
The group a prepared a video (below) for its members and preferred suppliers explaining and detailing its support for and presence at the Trade Days.
Independent Jewellers Collective, Australia’s ‘youngest’ buying group, will have a presence at the Gold Coast and Sydney Trade Days.
Leading Edge Group Jewellers will have a presence at the Sydney Trade Days and has expressed support for all the state-based events. Showcase Jewellers is encouraging members to attend the Trade Days and is organising member training to coincide with the dates.
The Gold Coast Trade Days will take place Sunday 7 March to Monday 8 March at the QT Hotel. Registrations are available online at www.jewelleryfair.com.au.
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