Kate Youngstrom (pictured), director of content and community at JCK Events, just returned from Las Vegas, where she attended ISC West, a security show owned by JCK’s parent company, Reed Exhibitions. “We had a blast,” she says.

That bodes well for the Luxury and JCK Las Vegas shows, which open at the Sands Expo and Venetian Resort on Aug. 24 and Aug. 27, respectively. Youngstrom assures us that attendees can expect the same caliber, education, and experiences as previous years, with a few extra pandemic-era safety precautions in place. (One notable absence: JCK’s traditional Sunday night party has been canceled.)

“Other than that, we’re full speed ahead,” Youngstrom says.

Below, she gives us the rundown on all the newness coming to the shows this year. Be sure to “check the floor plan,” she advises. “Some of your favorite pavilions have moved around.”

Luxury

The sold-out Luxury show is located on Level 5 of the Venetian in the Palazzo Ballroom. “Because it’s in one ballroom this year, you’ll get that high-end feeling,” says Youngstrom. “They have a Bentley car sponsorship in Luxury—you’ll see some Bentley jewelry and a car right there on the show floor.”

Gems

The gemstone pavilion is on Level 3 (as opposed to Level 1, where it was located in the past). “The pavilion is so beautiful, and we missed Tucson so much this year that I’m going to go there to get that Tucson feeling,” she says.

Design Collective

“The Design Center is now the Design Collective, and it features all kinds of designers broken down into three categories: Rising Stars, Residents, and Luminaries, which includes former Design @ Luxury exhibitors,” Youngstrom says. “And the lounge is sponsored by Diamonds Do Good this year, so that will be fun.”

JCK Talks

JCK Talks is on! “We’ll have awesome content throughout the day on the Showcase Stage,” she says. “There will always be something happening there.”

Note: Two viewing pods, one located downstairs and the other one upstairs, will allow people to view the education on the Showcase Stage without having to rush across the convention center. “We’re trying to make it easier for people to access education,” says Youngstrom.

Beyond what attendees will discover on the Showcase Stage, JCK will offer enhanced opportunities to get educated and stay engaged through initiatives such as a new Podcast Zone located on the show floor, as well as a Content Creation Zone available to showgoers, organized in collaboration with The Smithee Group.

“The Smithee Group will show retailers a piece of jewelry and will demonstrate in real time how to truly tell its story through the digital world, from social to email to website,” says Youngstrom. “They’ll show you how to get the story out through copy, storytelling, photos, video.”

The show will also host three boot camps, each lasting three hours and focused on a key industry topic: a succession planning session on Aug. 27 led by Bill Boyajian, a social and digital marketing session on Aug. 28 led by The Smithee Group, and a store security session on Aug. 29 led by the Jewelers’ Security Alliance’s John Kennedy—all taking place in the Casanova Ballrooms.

“We are excited because they’re truly experts in their fields,” says Youngstrom.

Jewelers Source and JCK Pro

Jewelers Source, JCK’s new online marketplace powered by Boss Logics, and JCK Pro, a content subscription package that provides access to exclusive online content year-round, will both have a presence at the show.

“JCK Pro-ers will have networking opportunities followed by cocktails, and also a futuristic, really fun lounge on-site where they’ll be able to hang out,” says Youngstrom.

Keynotes

Both the Luxury and JCK opening keynote addresses will take place in the Palazzo Ballroom on Level 5 of the Venetian. But here’s something new: Both events will also be streamed live to people’s hotel rooms.

“If you’re staying at the Venetian or Palazzo, and like to have your coffee in your pj’s or you’re just not ready for a ballroom filled with 500 people, we’ll give you options to engage with the content from your room,” says Youngstrom.

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