On Thursday, October 15, 2015 the jewellery industry descended upon Miami Beach, Florida for opening day of the famous JIS October jewellery trade show. By the time the show concluded on Sunday evening, all prior JIS attendance records were shattered. Attendance reporting presented a 16 per cent increase over the October 2014 event, JIS’s largest year-to-year attendance increase in the show’s thirty six year history.
On opening day buyers lined up early, eager to shop and explore the new and enhanced features at JIS. Jordan Tuchband, Industry Vice President of JIS, who’s been with the show for sixteen years, was amazed at the number of excited attendees pouring through the entry doors of the Miami Beach Convention Center.
“There was a new energized excitement about the show now that it’s a part of Reed Exhibitions and the Reed Jewelry Group. You could feel it even before the doors opened at 10:00 AM on October 15 and the lines at registration were astonishing; unlike anything I’ve seen in my time with JIS.”
In addition to the staggering attendance numbers, the diversity of product and exhibiting companies played an intrical role in making this the most successful JIS Miami show to date. Many exhibitors stated they were thrilled with the traffic on the floor and the quality of retailers in attendance. Carolyn Thamkul, Executive Vice President of Belle Étoile and longtime JIS exhibitor, was elated to be a part of JIS history. “I love the ‘new’ show. You can already see all the changes and how customers are positively responding. I’ve seen retailers from regions I’ve never seen before at JIS Miami. The show has more to offer than ever before, which is a direct correlation to the elevated caliber of both exhibitors and retailers.”
Throughout JIS, attendees frequented the inaugural LUXURY Miami event located in its own chic ballroom, along with a number of new and expanded pavilions including HKJMA and the Plumb Club. Attendees enjoyed a variety of upgraded relaxing lounges throughout the show floor with snacks and beverages, and lunched with a three-course meal at the beautiful Hidden Gem Café. The Galleria Lounge with its modern uptown feel and sophisticated environment was one of the most highly talked about locations – particularly when it became the scene for JIS to announce the winner of its first ever Retailer of the Year Award, presented to Colombian Emeralds International – a member of the Dufry Group.
