Jeweller - April 2022

News
Australian Jewellery Fair overwhelming success say suppliers and retailers
with Erin Keller, membership manager Nationwide
Jewellers confirming that “the energy in the room
was amazing! Our members attended from all
over the country, from Toowoomba to Mudgee to
Launceston, and they were just as excited to see us
and suppliers, as we were to see them!”
Josh Zarb CEO Independent Jewellers Collective
said that overall he was “very pleased by the vibe
and the atmosphere throughout the whole show.”
The boutique-style event, which was sold out four weeks before opening, was promoted as “Kick Start 2022”.
The Australian Jewellery Fair and has been
declared a success. The boutique-style event,
which was sold out four weeks before opening, was
promoted as “Kick Start 2022”.
The event was held in the same room as last year’s
event at Sydney International Convention Centre
at Darling Harbour and Gary Fitz-Roy managing
director Expertise Events said it “hit the mark”.
“There was a definite upbeat feel from the opening
to close on both days, with strong reports of very
good buying on the show floor.
“It seems all businesses have been riding a
rollercoaster and, after starting to recover from
COVID restrictions, lurching from bush fires to the
latest flood issue, sometimes you can't help but
think, ‘Give us a break’, but like most Australians
the jewellery sector is very resilient,” Fitz-Roy said.
He explained that the success of the tradeshow
was “helped by the NSW government’s easing of
QR codes and masks, so it was great to see smiling
faces. Saturday night Happy Hour was very much
appreciated and was certainly a small celebration.”
At the commencement of Happy Hour, and when
everyone had a drink, Fitz-Roy took the opportunity
to ask the exhibitors and visitors to pause and
salute industry icon Peter Beck – who passed away
last year - as many of his industry friends and
colleagues were unable to attend the funeral in
Adelaide because of COVID border restrictions.
David Paterson, managing director of Paterson
Fine Jewellery said the fair was great result for all
involved: “It was terrific to see so many people we
haven’t seen for a long time and all came together
to listen to some of the sad but inspiring stories of
our friends and peers who are doing it tough with
the recent floods.
“However, there is lots of resilience and positivity.
We had a great weekend with sales and we are now
really excited about what we can expect in August.”
According to Mike Dyer, sales manager, Retail Edge,
“The show was great. The atmosphere was warm
and exciting, a bit like a gathering of friends that
had seen each other for a while.”
He added, “The traffic [visitor numbers] was good
for both days and for us there was a good mix
of existing clients and new opportunities. The
exhibitors around us all expressed that they had
been busy and did good business. Retailers were
there to spend,” he added.
Greville Ingham national sales manager Peter W
Beck said, "It was nothing short of an ‘uplift’ is
how I would describe the AJF this past weekend.
"Despite so many being affected by the recent
floods and suppliers being hampered by COVID and
travel restrictions, people came together to support
the industry and a “get on with it” attitude in a good
Aussie spirit. The show was pervaded by a sense of
positivity, loud banter, slaps on the back and lot’s of
great complements for the product on display. Well
done to all!"
There was a good cross section of retail buyers
He was another who said that the show was well
supported. “I was surprised on how busy the show
felt overall on both the Saturday and the Sunday.
It seemed to open with a bang right from 10am on
the Saturday and didn’t slow down at all over the
two days.
“The [ICC] room felt like it was the perfect size
and I am sure that all suppliers would have had
a fantastic result.”
Vera Jarjo jewellery services relationship manager
at Pallion also said it was great to see old and new
faces over the two days.
“We have missed this personal interaction due
to COVID and it is fantastic to be engaging with
clients again. The lead scanning tool was a
welcome addition to the fair and we look forward
to connecting with these clients post event,”
Jarjo said.
Both Nationwide Jewellers and Independent
Jewellers Collective took the opportunity to use
Kick Start 2022 to kick-off their group’s activities
for the New Year.
Nationwide Jewellers managing director Colin
Pocklington said, “Our members benefitted from
our workshop program and enjoyed the chance
to meet suppliers face-to-face with again. The
high level of retailer attendance and busy aisles
translated into good sales for exhibitors.
“The attendance and results from the March
fair augers well for the IJWF at Darling Harbour
in August.”
Zarb added: “We use the fairs to meet new
stores of course, and just as importantly to catch
up with our members. We hosted a function on
the Friday evening prior to the fair and it was so
nice to have over 30 of our IJC partners join us
over the weekend.
“We used the fair to have the opportunity to spend
time with our retailers.”
Fitz-Roy said that final planning is well underway
for the August International Jewellery fair and, “If
the weekend’s results are anything to go by it will
be well and truly to complete coming together.”
He added that the three key buying groups –
Nationwide, IJC and Leading Edge – all had space
on the show floor and will be hosting membership
activities in and around the three days.
14 | April 2022