THE TOP LUXURY BRANDS AND HIGH END DESIGNERS WILL BE PROMINENTLY SHOWCASED AT JCK LAS VEGAS 2008
100 Designer Companies; 8 Rising Stars and 60 Of The Finest High-End Jewelry Companies To Be Featured Along Fifth Avenue
NORWALK, CT February 6, 2008 – To make it easier for retailers to set appointments and peruse high-end designers and the hottest new talent, JCK Las Vegas is bringing the finest high-end jewelry companies closer together on the show floor. Fifth Avenue on Level 2 of the exhibit floor is already home to the Design Center, LUXURY Collection, and Prestige Promenade. For 2008, JCK has added the Grande Plaza Pavilion to the same area, bringing many of the shows high end brands together in one central location.
Retailers will find it much more manageable to navigate this high-end section of the 17th annual JCK Las Vegas, which will take place May 30 – June 3, 2008 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center and Venetian Resort Hotel Casino.
The Grande Plaza Pavilion
A reinvigorated Galleria, now known as the Grande Plaza Pavilion, will feature sixty of the finest companies in high-end jewelry offering the most exquisite designs. Exhibitors who have already signed on to be featured include Charles Wolf Couture, Inc, Floriani Astucci SRL, Gemveto Jewelry, Hammerman Brothers, Lazare Kaplan, Louis Fiessler & Co., Masriera-Bagues, Oscar Heyman & Brothers, Inc, Precious Gems Resources, Inc., Quadamas, Ramon Joiers, S.L., and The DeYoung Collection, to name a few.
“We thank Bob Hochberg of Hammerman Brothers and David Spivak of Charles Wolf Couture for spearheading this effort to bring these luxurious and upscale jewelry designers together in this new pavilion on the JCK Show floor,” said Dave Bonaparte, Group Vice President, JCK Events. “The Grande Plaza Pavilion will compliment the LUXURY Collection, Prestige Promenade and the Design Center giving retailers access to the best of the best in one easy to navigate location.” In addition, The Grande Plaza will offer a new unified look and will offer the retailers who visit several amenities including spacious, comfortable lounges and complimentary refreshments.
The Design Center
Jewelry retailers from around the world will have the opportunity to source 100 established and new designer companies who will showcase an assortment of designs and styles in The Design Center. In addition, eight talented designers have been selected as The Rising Stars, a unique group of companies who will make their jewelry trade show debut. The 2008 Rising Stars include: Amali (http://www.amalijewelry.com/), Gemra AG, Ginger Peachy, Jessica DiRubio Jewelry (http://www.belloredesigns.com/), Jetalia, Misha of New York (http://snipurl.com/2bupb [www_blueluxe_com] ), Nina Basharova (http://www.ninabasharova.com/), and Rebecca Overmann (http://www.rebeccaovermann.com).
“A jury of designers, magazine editors and PR consultants met in November and hand selected
these 100 designers and 8 Rising Stars. We encourage all retailers to make time to stop by and see many of the new designers exhibiting this year,” said Dave Bonaparte, Group Vice President, JCK Events. “We had an overwhelming response from companies wanting to exhibit in The Design Center and are so pleased to welcome back such prestigious designers as Alishan, Susan Sadler, Sugarman-Frantz, Robert Wander for Winc Creations, Jane Bohan Inc., and William Schraft Designs.”
On Sunday, June 1 at 2:30 pm, 50 retailers will be honored for their lasting excellence at selling designer jewelry during The Designer Retailer Awards and Ceremony. The top five retailers will receive special recognition. The list of Top 50 will be voted on by the members of the Design Center who will take into consideration the retailer’s ongoing success at marketing, displaying and selling designer jewelry.
The Design Center exhibitors will also be featured during the JCK Las Vegas Welcome Reception taking place on Friday, May 30 from 7:00 – 9:30 pm at the Caesars Palace. The Design Center exhibitors will have a designated area to showcase three pieces of jewelry, providing attendees with a sneak preview and sampling of the collections on display while enjoying cocktails and hor d’oeuvres with the JCK community.
This year’s sponsors of The Design Center are GZ Art and Design and Niche Magazine. GZ Art and Design will feature several German jewelry designers who will be making their debut at JCK Las Vegas. While meeting and doing business with all of the designers in this special area, retailers will be able to enjoy cappuccino and biscotti throughout the Show and at 4 pm each afternoon the Design Center Bar will offer its signature Orangetini. The Design Center Concierge desk can help make onsite appointments with Design Center exhibitors.
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“Over 2,000 industry professionals attended the JCK education sessions at our last event, and we hope to continue to provide more content and value for jewelers and retailers with a dynamic program that will both educate and stimulate,” said Dave Bonaparte, Group Vice President, JCK Events. “During the two days leading up to the Show, we invite the industry to gather for an opportunity to discuss the important topics facing the industry and understand the newest upcoming trends.”
Daily keynote addresses include:
Friday, May 30 at 8:30 am Hip Hop Mogul Russell Simmons who will kick off the
event with a discussion on how he built his mega-empire and continues to build his brand. Simmons will discuss the launch of Simmons Jewelry Company and his philanthropic endeavors including his Green Initiative Collection. The Green Initiative Collection raises funds for the non-profit Diamond Empowerment Fund which helps education projects in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource.
Saturday, May 31 a morning session: Jewelers of America will host an “Executive Roundtable Discussion: Business Relationships, Retailers and Suppliers.”
Saturday, May 31 an afternoon session with: Shane Decker of Ex-SELL-Ence will present “Where Have All the Stores Gone?”
Sunday, June 1: Carol Campbell of CRC Enterprises will discuss “How to Give Women the Jewelry Buying Experience They Want”
Monday, June 2: Martin Rapaport will give an overview of “The State of the Diamond Industry.”
Robyn Hawk
