Over the past two decades, a handful of major trade show organisers have developed into some of the most influential players in the jewellery and gemstone sectors. But these companies were among those hardest hit by COVID-19. With international travel slowing to a bare minimum and social distancing practices being enforced to protect public safety, almost all the organisers were forced to delay and generally cancel major trade fairs that had been months and even years in the planning.

But the trade fair organisers had been considering their strategic positions long before COVID-19 struck. Technological developments that have enhanced the ability of members of the jewellery industry to meet, display merchandise and do business online have usurped elements of the traditional trade show model, requiring the organisers to rethink the ways in which they operate and serve the industry. The latest crisis did not initiate, but rather heightened the urgency for them to adapt and expand their range of services.

Entitled “ The Trade Shows: Rethinking the future ,” the seventh Jewellery Industry Voices webinar featured heads of four of the most important jewellery trade show organisers – Yancy Weinrich, COO of Reed Exhibitions, organiser of the JCK and Luxury shows; Celine Lau, Director of Jewellery Fairs at Informa Markets, organiser of the major jewellery and gem shows in Hong Kong in June and September; Michel Loris-Melikoff, Managing Director of Baselworld; and Marco Carniello, Group Brand Director Jewellery and Fashion at the Italian Exhibition Group, organiser of the VICENZAORO shows.

The webinar was co-moderated by Edward Johnson and Steven Benson, and Gaetano Cavalieri, CIBJO President, welcomed the participants.