JCK Events Strengthens Focus on Design With New Additions for 2016 Shows

With a focus on design, JCK Events has unveiled two new powerhouse additions to its team, and an alternative retailer focus and enhanced offerings for the 2016 jewelry shows.

Jacqueline Stone is now design consultant to JCK Tucson and JCK Las Vegas Design Center. She will be acting as the eyes and ears of the designer community. As the founder of Salt + Stone, a Brooklyn, N.Y.–based fine jewelry company, Stone comes to the team with an impressive resume. Named one of New York City’s Design Entrepreneurs by the Fashion Institute of Technology and the New York City Economic Development Corp., she has a diverse background ranging from marketing and merchandising to finance and has experience with Tiffany & Co. product development. Stone is a speaker with the Gemological Institute of America’s lecture series and contributes to National Jeweler’s Designer’s Diary and The Good Men Project.

“In my role as design consultant, my job is to help both jewelers and retailers alike get the most of the shows,” said Stone in a press release. “I’ll be scheduling appointments, helping retailers discover new talent, and most importantly, getting small jewelry businesses the attention they deserve. I’m a huge fan of building community, and it’s an honor to be included on this dynamic team.”

“If Jackie wasn’t designing jewelry, she definitely could have a successful career in writing,” said Michelle Graff, editor-in-chief of National Jeweler. “I am so proud to see her working as a consultant with JCK. I know she’ll be a great asset, both to the shows and to the designers themselves.”

JCK is strengthening its focus on design further by collaborating with the newly formed Design Advisory Group, which will act as a sounding board that ensures that JCK is vetting the highest caliber of exhibitors and creating value with its events. The group includes: Patricia Faber of Aaron Faber Gallery, Zdena Jiroutova of Z Folio Gallery, John Carter of Jack Lewis Jewelers, Andrea Riso of Talisman Collection, Catherine Jensen of Michael Jensen Designs, and Monica Stephenson, editor of beloved blog idazzle.

JCK’s design spaces at both JCK Tucson and JCK Las Vegas will undergo extensive makeovers for 2016, offering curated, one-of-a-kind finished jewelry in ambient and inspiring destinations.

JCK Tucson has revamped its offering utilizing two ballrooms: one curated Design ballroom and the other a Custom ballroom, featuring technology and loose gemstones. An improved vetting process and transportation to other shows will ensure both the high level of exhibitors and convenience for the February event in Tucson. JCK Las Vegas will feature new chalkboard-style booths and a nonlinear floor plan, which will allow designers to draw and show off their inspiration with a unique community feel. Both shows will also introduce a hosting program for the elite, design-focused retailers. “Acknowledging that designers are not necessarily looking to be carried in only traditional jewelry stores, we have scoured the industry finding the best galleries, boutiques, and alternative retailers,” said industry vice president for JCK Events, Katie Dominesey. “We are investing in our shows and making sure that the right retailers are not only attending, but are hosted at our properties in Tucson and Las Vegas.”

“Overall, it’s a very exciting time for JCK,” continued Dominesey. “We’re adding design competitions, creating events to bring people together, working hard to understand the retailer’s essentially reimagining what it means to exhibit at a trade show at any stage in a designer’s career. We want to push ahead of what the norm has been and bring some exicement back. JCK is invested in design and with the collaboration of people like Jacqueline and Monica, it makes the experience not only relevant, but fun.”

JCK Tucson runs Feb. 3–7 at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort and Spa. For more information, click here.

For more information on the 2016 JCK Las Vegas show, which takes place at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino from June 3–6, click here.

If you are interested in finding out more about JCK’s design initiatives, contact Katie Dominesey at kdominesey@reedexpo.com.

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JCK Contributing Editor

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