The JAA’s two-day Australian Jewellery Fair on the Gold Coast has been hailed a success by organisers.
Speaking to Jewellery World after the close of the Fair, Daniel Heather, group manager for fair organiser Fair Events, said he was “quite pleased” with the Fair although final visitor numbers were not yet available.
“My measure of success for a Fair is feedback from the floor and there was a really nice buzz and quality of buyers at the Gold Coast,” he said.
“It’s no secret that the retail industry has been a bit flat recently so there was a bit of ‘nervousness’, if that’s the right word for it, in the lead-up to the Fair but it was ultimately a success.”
Heather attributed the Fair’s success to a number of factors including the Gold Coast’s attractiveness as a travel destination, the world-class facilities at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, and “the fact that Fair Events has focussed strongly on delivering quality buyers to the event”.
Heather said the Gold Coast had proved to be “an extremely attractive and easy-to-reach destination for international and interstate visitors”.
“The Gold Coast location meant that visitors and exhibitors could combine business with a short break or family holiday – and many did.”
Held from March 23-24, the Fair was held on the Gold Coast following Fair Events’ decision to consolidate its Brisbane and Melbourne Fairs into one event following feedback from exhibitors and visitors at the cities’ 2013 fairs.
The winners of the inaugural Jewellery Industry Awards were also announced at the Gold Coast Fair.
Best Large Jewellery Retailer
Winner: EverettBrookes Jewellers
Best Small Jewellery Retailer
Winner: QUORRA
Best Retail Window/Merchandise Display
Winner: Ian Sharp Jewellery Craftsmanship
Best Enduring Jewellery Product
Winner: Jewels of the Kimberley
Best New Jewellery Product
Winner: Swarovski International Australia & New Zealand
Best After-Sales Customer Service
Winner: Jewels of the Kimberley
Jewellery Retail/Product Marketing Award
Winner: Jewellery By Design
Industry Innovation Award
Winner: Q Report
Best Jewellery Supplier
Winner: Palloys Group
Runner-Up: The Battery Man
Best Sales Reps
NSW/ACT
Steve Hopkins, Sam’s Group
QLD/NT
Lincoln Allsopp, Bolton Gems
VIC
Marisa Palmieri, Imajpak
TAS
Colin Berger, Ronnie Shabtay
SA
Marco Bracci, Nomination Australia
NZ
Worth & Douglas
WA
Carolyn Elliott, Pastiche