6/3/2010 |

(NORWALK, CT – May 28) - - - The recent economic optimism and overall rise in consumer confidence has prompted U.S. jewelry retailers to attend this year’s JCK Events in a big way. Preliminary figures indicate a healthy increase in retail attendance and they are coming to refresh their inventory with new products, designs, styles and collections from some 2500 international suppliers from 22 different countries; identify holiday and consumer trends; renew acquaintances and business partnerships and gain unique and valuable insights for their businesses.

“We are seeing signs of optimism in the industry that we believe will play out at this year’s JCK Events,” said Yancy Weinrich, Industry Vice President. “There are so many compelling business and buying reasons to come – from the largest and most comprehensive selection of new merchandise and never-before-seen designs from today’s hottest designers – to conference session on the show floor and meaningful special events and networking opportunities that make the trip both timely and necessary.”

JCK presents a forum for the global jewelry industry to come together each year. 2010 marks the beginning of the re-invention of JCK where the exhibition floor will reflect how retailers purchase products and collections for their stores. This insight has come from the JCK team asking for feedback and input through regular communication, in-person store visits, utilizing exhibitor and retailer advisory boards, and surveys & needs assessments.

“What we found is retailers want an effective face-to-face opportunity to materially improve their businesses with a small investment of their time away from their stores,” Weinrich said. “What keeps coming back to us in their comments are that the business-building benefits of attending JCK continues over the following year – whether it’s picking up a great new merchandising idea, a new supplier connection or line, an educational session to train their associates – the list is really endless.”

JCK will also bring back the very successful VIP Buyers Program from last year to provide retailers with an extension of their buying budgets. Over $360,000 was put back into the hands of JCK Exhibitors from this program. At the request of retailers and exhibitors, JCK is repeating the program which includes participation of over 600 retail stores with strong international participation from Russia, China and Dubai.

“I want to progress in my business and there are changes that I’d like to make,” said Deepak Dadlani, Diamond Designs, Orange, Conn. “I realize that by attending the JCK Las Vegas show this year, I can see new products, get new ideas, meet my peers and reignite my passion for my business – all in one place. It’s too easy to allow the soft economy to give us an excuse to be lethargic and negative. I expect the energy and excitement of JCK to bolster my enthusiasm and help my business grow.”

“We attend JCK Las Vegas every year because it is the one jewelry show that allows us to visit virtually all of our important vendors under one roof. JCK is also a great source for seeking out new product and business opportunities since the attending supplier base is worldwide,” said Sean Dunn, J.R. Dunn Jewelers. Lighthouse Point, FL.

JCK Events opens on June 4th at 8:15AM with a keynote presentation by Shane Decker, from Ex-SELL-Ence, with a relevant topic: Advantaged Strategies to Increase Closing Ratios. From there, the exciting opening ceremony, sponsored by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), begins with Vasant Mehta, chairman, GJEPC, providing opening remarks, at 9:15AM and continues with a unique, colorful presentation of Indian culture.

The JCK 2010 Education Program provides a veritable tool box of focused, well-informed, and market-savvy presentations – all on the show floor. The JCK education program and format has been designed to make it convenient to shop the show and take a break to hear the best thinking on doing business today. Topics such as responding to current market conditions and leveraging the expected uptick in the economy to best practices in selling, social networking and promotion and sales & service, retailers can also share with their retail-peers in panel discussions and facilitated discussion groups.

Special events and networking opportunities are a hallmark at JCK because there are so many ‘experts’ already in-house to share and swap best practices. The JCK Design Center is the place to source and find brand, new collections from today’s hottest designers and with two Design Center Fashion Shows, Friday, June 4th from 2:00PM – 3:30PM and the second on Sunday, June 6th from 3:00PM – 4:30PM, the Design Center Fashion Shows provide retail buyers with a variety of jewelry designs representing the newest selection of styles in one destination. Additionally, 50 retailers will be awarded for their excellence in merchandising and selling designer jewelry through the annual Designer Retailer Awards Ceremony, taking place on Sunday, June 5 at 2:30PM in the Design Center.

The JCK Welcome Reception, “JCK Rocks the Beach! At Mandalay Bay,” held in conjunction with cause partner, Diamond Empowerment Fund, on Friday evening, June 4th from 8:00PM – 11:00PM, will provide a first glimpse of JCK’s 2011 new and exciting venue. With a beach complete with sand and waves, and some of the most fabulous dining and entertainment options in all of Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay offers a memorable experience to conduct business, entertain and network.

“As the jewelry industry looks for recovery at a very fragile time, JCK offers many reasons for retailers to start looking up,” Weinrich said. “We are confident that retailers making the commitment to JCK will come away with a renewed sense of passion for their business and the jewelry industry at-large. There is no better place to leverage every business opportunity than JCK and we feel quite confident that retailers will not be disappointed.”

ABOUT JCK EVENTS:

JCK Las Vegas 2010 will take place on June 4-7, 2010 with LUXURY by JCK, to take place June 1-3, 2010 (preceding JCK Las Vegas). The series of JCK Events are produced by JCK, and are designed to serve the worldwide jewelry industry by offering the most comprehensive and complete buying and selling opportunities on a business-to-business basis. For more information on any of the international JCK Events or to view the event’s image and video galleries, please visit us at www.jckshows.com or simply call 1-800-257-3626.

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