The JIVF saw 600 guests online from all over Australia and New Zealand for a 48 hour fair that offered guests the opportunity to meet with suppliers, hear from speakers on a virtual stage, and discuss the industry with associations and the ability to network.
Event organisers were thrilled with the results as feedback came flooding in from guests and exhibitors.
The Jewellery Industry Virtual Fair shows significant prospects for the jewellery industry, with its ability to shape and grow businesses to become more digitally savvy and therefore keep up with consumer demands.
Over 900 industry members registered for the event over the course of its 4 week promotion, with registrations continuing even up until the last 15 minutes of the Fair, clearly indicating significant demand for this digital solution.
Event organisers knew that this first event would be challenging, but that it would also provide wonderful insights into both suppliers’ needs and guests’ needs and form a foundation for future events. ‘We anticipated that there would be some technical challenges as it’s a very new way of working, but all of our exhibitors, speakers and amazing sponsors worked really hard to learn the platform and create amazing content for
guests,” said Laura Moore of Moore Events Australia. “We are thankful for their hard work and commitment to their customers, by being part of this first JIVF.”
The Jewellery Industry Virtual Fair was broken up into four areas:
Stage: Here industry leaders from all over the world were given the virtual stage to present their ideas, thoughts and advice for retailers and jewellers.
Sessions: An area for our Australian Associations and Buying Groups which gave guests the ability to chat to them about their member benefits and plans for the future.
Networking: This online space was for guests to meet one on one with someone they may never have met for a five minute speed meeting.
Expo: The exhibition area was a space where suppliers were housed to show new products and demonstrations to customers. Guests could visit and speak face to face, or watch a presentation set up by the supplier. The Jewellery Industry Virtual Fair united the industry after a very difficult year, and allowed groups to come together and reconnect. Guests and exhibitors, along with participating buying groups Showcase Jewellers and Leading Edge Group Jewellers, are looking
forward to the next date set for the JIVF, and are excited about how this event might help the industry to grow.
Recent reports by Ibis show that online sales for jewellery and watches have grown strongly over the past five years, increasing by 11.9% annually, while the Australian jewellery retail sector has fallen by 6.9% which has been amplified by COVID. In order to strengthen the retail sector, the industry must quickly adapt to a hybrid model of operating, which should include bricks and mortar and digital. The Jewellery Industry Virtual Fair is just one step in assisting retailers and suppliers transition into a more digitally integrated business model.
With events like this, where industry leaders invest in and provide leading technology to Australasian businesses, our future looks bright with the ability for us to continue to adapt, connect and create amazing pieces of jewellery for our consumers.
2021 Dates have been released for the next JIVF.
2021 Exhibitor Registration HERE
