JCK Show Kicks Off To Great Expectations
June 02, 02
Just one hour before the official opening of this year's JCK Show, lines of potential attendees waiting to register snaked around the main entrance hall of the Sands Exhibition Center. With pre-registration already up 46%, and buyers spurred on by the recent De Beers announcement of a rough price increase, exhibitors at the show are gearing up for an extremely active five day event. The morning preceding the trade fair, W.B. David's initiative, 'Leading Jewelers of the World' presented a redefined package to a select group of invited U.S. jewelry retailers. The initiative certainly has lofty goals. As stated in the Association's Vision statement - they want to create 'The most powerful group of independent jewelers in the world’. 'Leading Jewelers of the World' will comprise of 300 jewelers nationwide, offering the ultimate in customer care. Jack Gredinger, executive director, compared the ideals to that of the 'Tiffany Syndrome': Clients buying goods from the exclusive jeweler are prepared to pay premiums over and above in return for the experience and prestige of a Tiffany purchase. Something no retailer in the exclusive audience would argue with. Those signing up will have to abide by the Rules of Association - a minimum of advertising spend, annual fees and a minimum annual diamond purchase from W.B David, it's associates or Gregic Diamond Company, of some $150,000, increasing to $250,000 in 2004.