Business God at JA NY

Traffic was moderate at the JA Summer Show in New York, which took place July 27-30, but most vendors reported that business was good. The first day saw the largest crowds, which peaked during mid-afternoon after a slow start before tapering off again. Crowds were moderate on each of the following days.

"We've received a lot of traffic," said Krista Collins Scott, marketing manager of jewelry designer and manufacturer Mouawad. "The mornings are a little slow. The afternoons are busier. It was worthwhile coming."

The first floor, where the jewelry designers were located, was the show's busiest area. One designer said it was his busiest show of the year.

Service providers also appeared happy. "It's a little slower than expected," said Scott Eschelman, president/CEO of One Service, a company that specializes in express shipping and insurance of packages for the jewelry industry. "It's been going pretty well. We have been getting people over here to look at our products and services."

Henry Ballester, director of project development for Artco Group, was happy with the show but noted that strong marketing efforts helped bring people to their booth. "It's a great show," he said. "Most of the traffic we had came from the brochures we sent out."

Sales in the gift arena were gaining momentum, according to vendors. New England Sterling, Attleboro, Mass., noticed later-than-usual buyers paying attention to its new lines of baby goods. "People [jewelers] waited out the summer and are now getting ready for Christmas," observed John Blackinton, vice president of sales and marketing. And while there weren't quite as many orders as at past shows, the typical order size was larger.