I got back from the 2012 JCK Las Vegas show a few weeks ago and I’m still basking in the excitement and terrific feedback this year’s edition generated. It seems everyone I’ve spoken with feels it was a great show, with many calling the event a “celebration.” We all agree that an upbeat, celebratory show in this industry is very welcome.
Congratulations to Yancy Weinrich and the entire JCK Events team for a job extremely well done!
The week began on the evening of Memorial Day with the annual LUXURY show kickoff party at THEhotel. “Here we go again,” I thought, followed quickly by: “Will I make it to the end?” LUXURY was a huge success in its second year at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. A big highlight this year was a new dining area sponsored and beautifully decorated by IBGM, Brazil’s national gems and jewelry trade association.
The big show kicked off Friday with a lot of dancing, thanks to the GJEPC, India’s Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, which sponsored an “India Evening” marked by regional dance performances. More than 20,000 attendees swarmed the venue this year, reflecting a cumulative growth of 21 percent over the past two years. According to the show team, there was also significant growth in international attendees, cementing JCK’s position as a global destination.
Once again, the Fashion, Diamond, International, Prestige Promenade, Plumb Club, Italian, LUXURY, AGTA, Watch, and ETS pavilions were packed with buyers. It was a delight to walk past friends and advertisers multiple times and not be able to say hello because they were too busy writing orders!
Cohost Victoria Gomelsky and I take a brief margarita break on JCK TV. (Visit jckonline.com/videos to see all the Vegas episodes.)
In addition to some of the classic highlights of the week (the Plumb Club’s amazing dinner entertainment; Le Vian’s annual Red Carpet Revue) there were some exciting additions, including Rio Tinto’s first cocktail party (featuring live models performing amazing monologues about each of the company’s mines), and the reveal of JCK’s first-ever Rock Star (sponsored by Swarovski Gems), Walter Adler Chefitz!
Those of you who stayed at Mandalay Bay, THEhotel, Aria, Four Seasons, Luxor, or MGM Grand may have seen our editor-in-chief, Victoria Gomelsky, and yours truly hosting JCK TV Las Vegas. Vic and I had a blast working with the talented members of our production team, who tirelessly taped footage all day and edited all night in order to create a brand-new program for each day of the show. And many thanks to those of you who stopped me to compliment the programming…it felt great!
The post-show surveys showed a dramatic increase in customer satisfaction, so I know I’m not alone when I describe JCK as a success. As the last day arrived I felt sad that it was winding down. Ours is such a social business, and as crazy and nonstop as JCK is, it is truly a pleasure to have the chance to touch base, catch up, shake hands, and share a drink with friends from around the world.
Next up, the JA Summer Show right here in New York City, and the second edition of JCK’s very successful LUXURY Privé show at the Pierre Hotel. See you there!