Informa Markets Jewellery intends to organise 20 in-person events and eight virtual sourcing festivals over the next 12 months to help the international jewellery industry regain its footing after over a year of pandemic-induced challenges. The offer includes hybrid formats for its two marquee Hong Kong shows, an additional B2B show in the city in November, and the debut of fairs in Bangkok and Dubai.

Citing global vaccination rollouts and the possible easing of pandemic restrictions, Director of Jewellery Fairs Celine Lau said, "With our industry’s best interests and future in mind, our team is taking a broader view of the unique situation we are in, in light of the pandemic, and anticipating how things might unfold in the coming months. Although none of us will be able to predict the future with absolute certainty, our flexible line-up aims to offer exhibitors and buyers the most accessible marketplaces, given today’s fast-evolving circumstances."

Informa Markets Jewellery is lining up 20 physical events comprising 12 trade fairs in eight cities – most of which will be complemented by virtual components – and eight highly targeted business-matching services in China and India. Eight virtual-only theme-based sourcing festivals are also scheduled during the year.

Safety precautions will be in place at the venues in line with the Informa AllSecure Standard, a detailed set of enhanced measures that provides the highest levels of hygiene and safety at Informa Markets events, Lau said. 

Hong Kong events

Informa Markets Jewellery’s first hybrid event of the year, Jewellery & Gem ASIA Hong Kong (JGA) will fuse face-to-face engagement with virtual experiences.

JGA’s physical event, from June 24 to 27, 2021, will welcome pre-registered individual attendees, including WeChat sellers and other social buyers, while keeping its core focus on B2B visitors. This is a one-off arrangement only, and JGA will revert to its original format in 2022.

JGA Virtual, the mid-year fair’s complementing digital marketplace from June 10 to July 2, remains an exclusive trade-only source for jewellery, gemstones and industry-related manufacturing equipment and solutions. 

Similar to JGA, Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong (JGW) is embracing the omnichannel trade fair concept this year.

JGW’s physical event, from September 19 to 23, 2021, is opening its doors at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre to social buyers, including WeChat sellers, and individual attendees, alongside the show’s target audience, the B2B visitor. The fair will return to its original format in 2022.

Enhancing the face-to-face event is JGW Virtual, an online marketplace that exclusively caters to trade buyers. Scheduled for September 3 to 30, this sourcing experience features an expansive roster of quality suppliers, a wide spectrum of products and customised content.

SEASONS | Autumn – Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Fair will run concurrently with JGW from September 19 to 23.

According to Lau, should the prospects for international travel improve in the coming months, Informa Markets Jewellery will host a more international, in-person B2B event in Hong Kong for the jewellery industry, Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong – Special Edition, from November 16 to 19, 2021 at AsiaWorld-Expo. 

She said, "JGW – Special Edition aims to attract broader international participation. Our agile show schedule will allow us to adapt quickly in response to changing conditions with respect to travel restrictions. Additional details will be confirmed in July."

The Jewellery World Awards, formerly known as JNA Awards, will hold its gala dinner and awards ceremony on November 15, 2021 during JGW – Special Edition.  

New shows

Jewellery & Gem ASEAN Bangkok, from November 9 to 12, 2021, will reach out directly to the ASEAN jewellery community to capture last-minute orders from buyers who are positioning their inventories for the peak selling seasons and the new year. 

Informa Markets Jewellery is also joining forces with the Italian Exhibition Group to launch Jewellery, Gem & Technology Dubai (JGT Dubai). 

Scheduled for February 22 to 24, 2022, JGT Dubai offers suppliers access to a combined market of 4 billion consumers spanning core markets such as the Middle East, India, Central Asia, Russia, Southern Europe and North Africa, and all within seven hours of flying time from Dubai. 

In addition to events organised and marketed by Informa Markets Jewellery’s Hong Kong team, the Group is offering physical fairs and buyer-seller meetings in key cities around the world, including Bahrain (Jewellery Arabia Bahrain), Delhi (Jewellery & Gem Delhi), Hyderabad (Jewellery & Gem Hyderabad), Istanbul (Istanbul Jewelry Show – May & October), Yamanashi (Japan Jewellery Fair) and Shenzhen (Jewellery Seasons China – Shenzhen), among others. 

Virtual sourcing festivals

Informa Markets Jewellery’s calendar also includes digital-only events that will enable suppliers and buyers to connect, engage and do business regardless of geographical distance and time zones. 

Starting from mid-May, Jewellery & Gem Digital World (JGDW) is presenting eight theme-based virtual sourcing festivals that are focused on four core product categories (Silver Jewellery, “Big Three” and Diamonds, Jewellery Gifts and Affordable Luxury) and four sourcing locations (Asia, Greater China, Europe and the US). 

Each festival will run for five days and showcase a curated selection of products from international suppliers.

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Lau said, "Informa Markets Jewellery is pulling out all the stops to ensure that our sourcing experiences and complementary resources deliver the results that the international jewellery industry needs to thrive during these uncertain times."