LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire - June 9, 2008) - The 17th Annual JCK Las Vegas
event provided jewelry retailers from 72 countries with new business insights to
weather the current economy, new products to reach new market segments, and
future trends such as nature-inspired and green-themed designs to bring back to
their stores. During the five-day Show, retailers representing virtually every
market size had the chance to meet with 3,100 manufacturers and suppliers from
over 20 countries offering everything from diamonds, gems and watches to
equipment technology and packaging -- all of the key products, services and
technologies needed for a successful retail business.
"Although retailers and exhibitors are challenged by the current economic
state, the Show provided an efficient and effective way to do business; network
and learn from the industry's thought leaders and ultimately walk away with
actionable steps towards managing their businesses," said Dave Bonaparte, Group
Vice President of JCK Events. "Manufacturers reported having very positive
results at this year's event by meeting with virtually every level of buyer and
merchandiser from large retail chains and independent jewelry stores to
wholesale, catalog and even the Home Shopping Network."
Chief executives representing a broad range of the retail distribution
channel who were in attendance included Bergdorf Goodman, Blue Nile, Costco,
Dillards, Disney, Fortunoff, Home Shopping Network, JC Penney, KMART, Kohl's,
Macy's East, Macy's West, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, TJ Maxx, and many others. In
addition independent retailers including Bernie Robbins, Birks & Mayors,
Deja & Co., Don Muller Gallery, French Designer Jeweler, Finley Fine
Jewelry, Fred Leighton; Fred Meyer, Hamilton Jewelers, Hannoush Jewelers,
Helzberg Diamonds, I. Gorman, Lily & Co., Lux Bond & Green, Reinhold;
XAN Jewelry and thousands of others walked the floor.
Highlights of the five-day event included the Welcome Reception & Fashion
Show, sponsored by the Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturers Association; a dynamic
keynote presentation by hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons discussing his important
African diamond initiative; LeVian's Red Carpet Revue and 2009 Trend Forecast
sponsored by InStyle Magazine; the trade show debut of eight Rising Stars; the
presentation of the Design Center Retailer of the Year Award to Manika Jewelry
in San Francisco and The Clay Pot in Brooklyn, NY; a terrific Swiss Watch by JCK
event that featured 22 of the most prestigious watch brands in the world; and
education sessions led by Martin Rapaport, Gabrielle Tolkowsky, Shane Decker and
other industry gurus.
The JCK Las Vegas floor was buzzing with activity and celebrity sightings
including, Kathy Ireland for House of Taylor; renowned Pianist Derek Paravicini
and actress Shari Belafonte for Simon G; Playboy's Girls Next Door star Holly
Madison for Jacob & Co.; beauty guru Adrien Arpel for Viva Time; American
Gladiator Mike O'Hearn for Croton Watch; and Miss France Valerie Begue for
Bertolucci. Celebrities who attended the Show supported various manufacturers
who were launching new lines.
"We were pleasantly surprised," said Ralph Rossini, President of Honora.
"People were more upbeat than we expected and we've had a great show."
"JCK was an extremely successful show for our medium-priced ranged line,"
said Agostino Magni, President of Rebecca, who was featured in the VicenzoOro
Italian Pavilion. "We wrote $3 million worth of orders, so needless to say we
are very satisfied with the results."
"There is no recession at Spark. The LUXURY & PREMIERE and JCK Las Vegas
events were another record year for us," said Beny Aviram, Owner and House
Designer of Spark. "The reason we've had a successful show is that we had many
appointments booked prior to the event. Appointments are absolutely necessary."
"The show exceeded our expectations which were lower due to the impact of the
recession," said Derek Palmer, Global Marketing Director of Plucenik. "However,
sales were better than last year and we attribute that to our strong
partnerships with financially strong players."
ABOUT JCK EVENTS:
In 2009, JCK Las Vegas and Swiss Watch by JCK will change day patterns due to
the Shavuot holiday. The events will be held Saturday, May 30 - Wednesday, June
3, 2009. The 2009 dates for LUXURY & PREMIERE will be announced shortly. The
series of JCK Events are produced by JCK, and are designed to serve the
worldwide jewelry industry by offering the most comprehensive and complete
buying and selling opportunities on a business-to-business basis. Upcoming
events include JCK New Delhi to be held July 5-8, 2008 at the Pragati Maidan
Exhibition Centre in New Delhi, India; JCK Toronto to be held August 10-12, 2008
in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Collections
by JCK to be held September 24-25, 2008 at the Vancouver Trade & Convention
Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada; and LUXURY Bermuda to be held March 15-18, 2009
at the Fairmont Southampton Resort in Bermuda. For more information on any of
the JCK Events, please visit us at www.jckshows.com or simply call
1-800-257-3626.
