Las Vegas or lady luck had nothing to do with the success of the 18th annual JCK Las Vegas event. Given the challenging retail environment, JCK Las Vegas responded to the industry as a catalyst for buying activity between 2700 international and domestic manufacturers and all retail categories with a robust VIP retailer program and daily sweepstakes to stimulate purchases. Productive networking and business activity harnessed industry optimism and offered special events and educational programming to spread best practices and insight to accelerate economic recovery.

“Although it has been a tough year for the retail jewelry industry, JCK Las Vegas delivered retailers and manufacturers with an efficient and effective way to do business.” said Dave Bonaparte, Group Vice President of JCK Events. “Manufacturers reported having very positive results at this year’s event by meeting with serious buyers who were looking for new and fresh inventory to take back to their stores.”

Retailers representing every retail and wholesale channel were in attendance including Bergdorf Goodman; BJ’s Wholesale; Birks & Mayors; Borsheim’s; Costco; Day’s Jewelers; Deja & Co.; Dillards; Don Muller Gallery; Finley Fine Jewelry; Fred Meyer; Hamilton Estate Jewelers; Hannoush Jewelers; Helzberg Diamonds; Home Shopping Network; I. Gorman; JC Penney; Kohl’s; London Jewelers; Lord & Taylor; Lux, Bond & Green; Macy’s; Meijer; Neiman Marcus; Nordstrom; Rogers & Holland; Sears; ShopKo; Sissy’s Log Cabin; TJ Maxx; Tourneau; Zales; Zellers… and tens of thousands of others on the show floor.

“I really appreciated the VIP Lounge and amenities and the opportunity to use the merchandise credit at the show,” said Chris Fondell, Goldsmith. “One of the main reasons I came to the show was to make significant purchases.”

“This is my first show and it gave me great exposure to the retail marketplace as I think my products really stand out in the marketplace,” said Steven Anton Rehage, who exhibited in The JCK Design Center. “It’s very fashion-forward and we’ve placed more than a dozen orders; most of which was brand new business. I’ve also gotten some key accounts as a result of my participation here.”

“The success of JCK Las Vegas is its location in Las Vegas, timing of the year and the ambiance that is created by the JCK show management team,” said Medel Rotenberg, President, Sara Blaine. “JCK Las Vegas is very important to the industry and since we’ve been coming, we laud the show as ‘tops in the industry’.”

Jonathan Alkin, VP Marketing, Jorg Gray, echoed the sentiments. “We are new to the show and had a great experience. We sold enough merchandise to cover most of the cost of participation. By the end of the show, there was tremendous Jorg Gray brand awareness because of the Obama wax figure and because of the buzz and press attention. We will absolutely be back next year with a bigger and better booth.”

Highlights of the four-day event included The JCK Design Center Retailers Choice Award presented to DeScenza Jewelers, Boston, MA and JCK Suppliers Choice Award presented to Worthmore Jewelers, Atlanta and Decatur, GA;  the recognition of eight Rising Stars; Le Vian®’s Red Carpet Revue and 2010 Trend Forecast, sponsored by Harper’s Bazaar; and education sessions and keynotes led by Martin Rapaport, Gabrielle Tolkowsky, Shane Decker, Bill Boyajian, Robert May and the NCDIA and other industry faculty.

Swiss Watch by JCK, featuring the most prestigious watch brands in the world was well-received as top buyers previewed timepieces in an exclusive buying environment. Baume & Mercier, Bedat & Co., Bell & Ross, Bovet, Bulgari, Christian Dior, Chopard, Concord, Corum, Cuervo Y Sorbrinos, Ebel, Frederique Constant, Gerald Genta / Daniel Roth, Gucci, Halo Art, Harry Winston, Hermes, IWC, Movado, Perrelet, Swatch Group, TAG Heuer, Technomarine, Ulysse Nardin, Versace, and Zenith participated in this year’s event.

The JCK Las Vegas floor was buzzing with activity and celebrity sightings including Kris Jenner, star of E Entertainment’s “Keeping Up With the Kardashians”; former model Kathy Ireland from Kathy Ireland Jewelry; Miss California 2009, Carrie Prejean at Jacob & Co. and Miss Africa. Even President Obama made an appearance in the form of a wax figure at Jorg Gray’s booth as the Obama watch was launched.

The opening day of the 10th edition of LUXURY & PREMIERE found many exhibitors pleasantly surprised in light of the current economic environment. While the Luxury market has unquestionably been hit by the nation’s economic woes, buyer turn-out was higher than anticipated and the overall atmosphere was optimistic. Some 14 companies were recognized for their participation in every LUXURY & PREMEIRE event since its inception a decade ago.

JCK Las Vegas opened today with great fanfare, long lines in registration and a wave of optimism as manufacturers were prepared to sell and retailers were eager to buy. The Show’s opening ceremony featured an exciting, traditional Lion Dotting Ceremony, sponsored by the Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturers Association. The crowds milling about waiting to get onto the Show floor were excited with anticipation.

Preliminary attendance numbers indicate that the majority of buyers are coming from the United States while a healthy double-digit percentage are internationals including a buying group of 30 from Russia. Domestic buyers are coming in large numbers from the following states: Arizona, California, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington, New York and Texas. International buyers are coming in volume from Canada, Central and South America, Australia, Europe, especially the UK; Belgium, Germany & Italy.

JCK Las Vegas VIP Retailer program was well received with many high-volume retailers invited to participate.
“I wasn’t planning on attending the Show,” said Justin Bortz, Justin Bortz Jewelers, W. Reading, PA. “The VIP Program was the catalyst to making it out to Las Vegas. Now, I’m completely hooked on the Show and the city and I’ll be back next year to spend more money.”

“We have been coming for many years and we’re happy to see that the economy apparently has had little effect on the Show,” said Katharina Roth, Geoffrey Roth, Sedona, AZ. “All of our vendors are here so we’re able to make many appointments and see new merchandise. We really like the VIP program and particularly like the amenities that are being offered.”

“We have been coming every year for at least the past five or six years,” said Richard Romano, Charles Frederick Jewelers, Chelmsford, MA. “This year, we were considering not coming because of the economy, but then realized that we need to come to see new products and merchandise and make some buying considerations. We really like the VIP treatment because it has made it easier for us to conduct business with a good assortment of manufacturers.”

“I come to JCK Las Vegas to reconnect with certain vendors that don’t come to my store,” said Karl Sachs, Sachs Jewelers, Shrewsbury, MA. “The enthusiasm of the vendors here at JCK Las Vegas makes us feel welcome. This optimism has inspired me to push my buying budget a bit here. Despite the pinch of the economy, I believe we will all come out of this and will still have to buy new products to excite our customers.”
In addition, Swiss Watch opened yesterday to excellent reviews with many key buyers looking for unique and new timepieces. The atmosphere was conducive to buying and both manufacturers and retailers saw good results in a private and exclusive setting.

Celebrity sightings were reported with Kris Jenner, star of E Entertainment’s “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” making an appearance today. Former model Kathy Ireland, from Kathy Ireland Jewelry, and Miss California 2009, Carrie Prejean, are scheduled to attend the Show on Sunday, May 31.

Evolution and adaptation was the key message from the afternoon educational session presented by Ken Gassman of the Jewelry Industry Research Institute. The panel of esteemed industry professionals including Phyllis Bergman, Mercury Ring Corp.; Mark Michaels, Michaels Jewelers; Nehal Modi, Gitanjali; Kathy Corey, Day’s Jewelers; Richard Fields, Unique Settings; Abe Sherman; BIG and Ron Spurga, ABN Amro, discussed the historical view of jewelry; how jewelry sales have rebounded after significant economic events and the long-term prospects for the industry. “They are quite excellent,” Gassman notes.

“Getting Real With Reality,” a presentation by Bill Boyajian, Bill Boyajian & Associates, called for business owners to take a more active leadership role in shaping the future of their businesses. “There is no more normal,” Boyajian explained, “the world as we know it has changed. New retail formats, information overload, technology and a fast rate of change among other factors, all influence how business has and will change, yet the power to adapt to these changes is within. Don’t limit yourself and don’t leave the Show unwilling to make a change in your business.”

JCK Las Vegas continues through Tuesday, June 2 at the Sands Expo Convention Center. For up-to-date information about the events, visit www.jckshows.com.