The CIBJO Trade Show Commission, which was established at the 2012 CIBJO Congress in Vicenza, met for the first time this year in Tel Aviv. Participants were provided a presentation by the commission president, Corrado Facco, in which he described the mission of the new body that provides a common forum for trade show organisers serving the jewellery sector.

The mission of the commission, Facco said, is to provide a common platform, and develop options by which the trade can be developed, while upholding the ethics of CIBJO, which include CSR, disclosure and fair trade.

“In many respect the new Trade Show Commission is a networking body. It provides us with a recognised forum in which we discuss common issues, and, if possible, develop projects that will serve all of its members,” Mr. Facco said. “It also will provide our a community with a collective structure in which we can sit down and talk to members of the jewellery industry – where ideas can be raised, grievances aired and troubleshooting initiated.”

“As we have been very careful to emphasise, the Trade Show Commission is no way intended to influence the spirit of fair competition that exists between the various trade show organisations. There is absolutely no intention to create a monolithic organisation that will dictate policy,” he stated

Mr. Facco said that potential trade show members had been contacted ahead of the congress, including representatives of Fiera di Vicenza, IBGM, Russia’s Restec, the Armenian trade show and the Bangkok trade show. In addition, the organisers of the Hong Kong Gems and Jewellery Fairs, HKTDC, said that they would be willing to serve as observers, while Dubai also pledged its support.

The proposed mission statement for the commission notes: “Respecting the autonomy of each of its members, the CIBJO Trade Show Commission seeks to address issues of common concern to the organisers and owners, as well as to trade show exhibitors, buyers and visitors. The mission of the CIBJO Trade Show Commission is to facilitate a palette of trade show options that promote the development of a diverse, robust, efficient and responsible trade in jewellery, as well as in related jewellery components, equipment and services.”

The commission heard that CIBJO could assist in organising educational seminars at shows on CSR, ethics and other issues. In addition, show organisers could be endorsed by CIBJO as might show exhibitors, as long as they showed that they were in compliance with CIBJO’s codes of conduct.

Photo Caption: Corrado Facco, President of the CIBJO Trade Commission.