PJS IN SAN FRANCISCO TAKES FINAL BOW

Show: Spring Pacific Jewelry Show.

Dates: March 4-5.

Location: Moscone Center, San Francisco, Cal.

Sponsor: California Jewelers Association.

Attendance: 134 exhibitors, more than 1,000 buyers.

Mood: Nostalgia filled the show, particularly on the second day as vendors and buyers realized this would be the last PJS show in San Francisco. CJA sold the show to Blenheim Group USA, which will merge it with the JA International Show in Las Vegas Jan. 9-11, 1996 (see JCK, March 1995, page 18).

Mixed with the nostalgia was a positive feeling, generated by some exhibitors who reported writing some excellent business despite lower attendance than at previous spring PJS shows. Others said they didn’t set high expectations, but were satisfied with the business they did. “I think many retailers came here not expecting to buy, but they saw what we had and they bought,” said Bob Friedman of Gem East Corp., Seattle, Wash. “People had a positive attitude and they seemed to be relaxed.”

Renee Miller of Aaura Inc., Chicago, Ill., agreed. “This has been a good show for us,” she said. “Every year it got better. I’m sorry this show is closing. Regional shows are important because they’re a way for buyers to shop in their own backyards.” She said coiled rope and 24″, 30″ and 36″ chains were popular.

Evan Lloyd of Evan Lloyd Designers, a manufacturer of animal and nautical jewelry based in Honolulu, Hawaii, had special nostalgia for the San Francisco show. “It was the first show I ever did – about 10 or 11 years ago – and it was my longest continuing show.” Buyers were looking for better pieces, especially those with diamonds, and they were buying “every kind of animal piece I produce,” he said.

No specific buying patterns were apparent, as buyers sought a variety of goods. Janna Lewis of Stones of Worth, North Hollywood, Cal., a first-timer in the show, was the only vendor to show amber. “People are still interested in amber, and we handed out a lot of catalogs and made some good contacts,” she said. Michael Deguchi of Shima Pearl Co., Los Angeles, said buyers were interested in pearl earrings, rings and large chokers. Joseph Mamanne of JM Designs, Los Angeles, said diamond hearts were big. Bob Hewitt of Simon Golub & Sons, Seattle, said tanzanite was popular. And Jason Segal of Kwiat Inc., New York, N.Y., reported considerable interest in platinum.

Changing times: The show was started in 1979 and was cosponsored by CJA and Golden Nuggets Inc. It grew rapidly and in 1988, its peak year, boasted more than 650 exhibitors, 2,600 retail companies and 8,200 people. But attendance started to decline the following year because of a slackening in the California economy, competition from other shows and a number of retail stores going out of business. By 1994, the handwriting was on the wall.

Several exhibitors suggested moving the fall L.A. Jewelry Show to San Francisco. “We can keep the charm of San Francisco and still have a West Coast show,” one said. But at press time, no move was imminent.

One question vendors and buyers asked each other was “Are you going to Vegas?” Most said they probably would. But Marilyn Wolff of G&G Jewelry, Oakland, Cal., summed up the frustration of losing the San Francisco show: “We came here every year to see vendors and get business cards, but now there’s no place to shop. Sources in the Bay Area are drying up. Where are we going to go now?”

SJTA SHOW ATTRACTS `TYPICAL’ BUSINESS

Show: Southern Jewelry Travelers Association Atlanta Jewelry Show.

Dates: Feb. 26-28.

Location: Merchandise Mart, Atlanta, Ga.

Attendance: 700 exhibitors; 3,200 buyers.

Business: Exhibitors said business was typical for the winter show. Traffic was very brisk on the opening day, a Sunday, with customers three deep at some booths offering closeout merchandise. Traffic was considerably lighter the second and third days. Overall, most buyers were filling in or looking for bargains.

“People are filling in,” said Bernard Bashoura of Elba Co., San Dimas, Cal. “Nothing radical.” He commented that jewelers should be aware that customers see new things when they travel and would like to be able to buy them when they get home. He cited tanzanite as an example, noting that even though it’s a hot-seller in tourist areas, few jewelers at this show showed much interest in it.

Added Leonard Rosenkrantz of Columbia Diamond Ring Corp., Bethel, Conn., “There was a lot of traffic Sunday, but not a lot of buying. There are always people who do well here, but this is a price audience – flash for cash – and we’re not a price line.”

But Morris Berkovits of First Class Imports Inc., New York, N.Y., said that retailers were interested in quality. “Independent jewelers who want to see their customers again don’t want them to be unhappy because their chain broke.”

Show news: SJTA will move the show to the Cobb County Convention Center beginning with the summer 1996 edition.

SJTA Executive Director Myra Medintz attributed the move to simultaneous conventions greatly limiting hotel and restaurant space downtown. While the Cobb County Convention Center is within Atlanta city limits, it’s in a less densely developed area than the Merchandise Mart. It’s also larger, though Medintz said any increase in the size of the show will be minimal and selective. She said exhibitors and buyers were “overwhelmingly” in favor of the move.

Seminars: Andrew Macaulay, director of advertising and communications of Chippenhook, Lewisville, Tex., and Eric Myman, southern account executive for Chippenhook, presented two seminars. “The Windows, the Showcase, the Sales Floor, the Wall Cases” was about visual impact and color coordination with merchandising and display basics. “Marketing Methods” discussed time- and cost-saving but effective marketing plans to maximize image.

Social highlight: A dinner reception at the Westin Peachtree Plaza featured the Banks & Shane show.

ACC ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR COLUMBUS SHOW

More than 950 exhibitors will show their wares at the second annual ACC Craft Fair Columbus, scheduled for June 4-7 in the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio.

The wholesale-only show is designed to accommodate the needs of professional buyers. “The first week of June is a good time for retailers to be out of their stores,” says JoAnn Brown, director of American Craft Enterprises, the marketing arm of the show’s sponsor, the American Craft Council. “They can get a jump on their fourth-quarter buying before they get swamped by the busy summer season.”

The show coincides with the Columbus Arts Festival, a five-day citywide celebration offering buyers a chance to enjoy musical performances, theater productions, gourmet food, museum exhibitions and artists’ markets with more than 300 exhibitors.

The ACC Craft Fair includes a preview reception featuring slide presentations of various exhibitors’ works and visits to shops and night spots in the popular Short North district June 3.

American Craft Council, 21 S. Eltings Corner Rd., Highland, N.Y. 12528; (800) 836-3470 or (914) 883-6100, fax (914) 883-6130.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS GUIDE AVAILABLE

The 1995 edition of Fairs and Festivals lists more than 1,000 craft fairs and festivals in 27 states. The book, available from the Arts Extension Service of the University of Massachusetts, contains contact and application information, locations and individual descriptions.

Included are high-end craft, mall and trade shows, as well as more intimate, harder-to-find community fairs. Also included are lists of statewide craft organizations, craft centers, tax number contacts and a bibliography. The book costs $12.50 plus shipping.

AES also offers The Artist in Business, a guide that addresses fundamental information about business operations, record keeping, taxes, the budget process, legal rights and seeking funds ($10 plus shipping and handling) and The Arts Festival Work Kit, a handbook on numerous aspects of planning, funding, implementing and evaluating an arts festival ($14.95 plus shipping and handling).

Arts Extension Service, 602 Goodell Bldg., University of Massachusetts, Box 33260, Amherst, Mass. 01003-3260; (413) 545-2360, fax (413) 545-3351.

JEWELERS ANNOUNCE SHOW IN BALTIMORE

The Maryland-Delaware-District of Columbia Jewelers Association will present a trade show Aug. 19-20 in the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor, Baltimore, Md.

Organizers plan to have 50 booths open 2-8 p.m. Aug. 19 and 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Aug. 20.

Special events will include the association’s annual meeting and a “RAVE” party Aug. 19 and a seminar Aug. 20. Larry Sanders of Pasadena Jewelers in Pasadena is show chairman.

Maryland-Delaware-District of Columbia Jewelers Association, 171 Conduit St., Annapolis, Md. 21401; (410) 269-1440.

BOSTON BUYERS MARKET TO FEATURE NEW SECTIONS

Two new sections will debut at the Boston Buyers Market of American Craft, scheduled for May 18-20 in the Bayside Expo Center, Boston, Mass.

“New Traditions” will feature designers and artists who produce traditional craft products. The second new section will feature two-dimensional art such as watercolor, oil and photographic prints, note cards and original artwork.

“There was a demand for exhibit space from artisans with more traditional crafts, so we’ve created the `New Traditions’ section,” says Wendy Rosen, president of The Rosen Group, show sponsor. “Plus, retailers and interior designers have been asking for watercolor and oil paintings to round out their buying trips to the show.”

The Rosen Group, 3000 Chestnut Ave., Suite 300, Baltimore, Md. 21211; (410) 889-2933, fax (410) 889-1320.

FOREIGN SHOW UPDATE

The Asian International Gift Fair will be held May 2-5 in the Suntec Center in Singapore. To be held concurrently are the Asian International Stationery Fair and the Asian International Handicraft Fair. More than 470 exhibitors and 14,000 buyers are expected. Overseas Exhibition Services Ltd., 11 Manchester Square, London W1M 5AB, United Kingdom; (44-71) 486-1951, fax (44-71) 413-8230.

Barnajoya, the International Exhibition of Jewellery, Watchmaking, Silverwork, Machinery and Allied Crafts, will be held Sept. 29 to Oct. 3 in the Montjuïc-2 exhibition hall in Barcelona, Spain. Barnajoya, s/n 08004, Barcelona, Spain; (34-3) 423-3101, fax (34-3) 423-8651.

The Hong Kong Jewelry & Watch Fair will be held Sept. 17-21 in the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. Organizers expect more than 1,300 exhibitors and 34,500 buyers for the event, which combines two formerly competing trade fairs sponsored by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Headway Trade Fairs. The combined show is organized by Headway Trade Fairs, whose U.S. office is at 445 Fifth Ave., Suite 18F, New York, N.Y. 10016; (212) 889-9393, fax (212) 889-0515.

Organizers of Iberjoya, an international jewelry, silverware and watch fair in Madrid, Spain, are pleased with results of the first-ever combination of Iberjoya, Intergift (an international gift fair) and Bisutex (a fashion jewelry and accessories fair) during the International Gift, Jewelry and Fashion Jewelry Week in January. More than 11,322 buyers attended the Iberjoya portion of the event, an increase that organizers attribute to the attraction of the combined shows. The next edition of Iberjoya will be held Sept. 15-19 during the next International Gift, Jewelry and Fashion Jewelry Week. Feria de Madrid, Parque Ferial Juan Carlos, Apdo de Correos 67.067, 28067 Madrid, Spain; (34-91) 722-5090, fax (34-91) 722-5793.

The International Frankfurt Fair, held Feb. 18-22 in Frankfurt, Germany, attracted a record 120,000 trade buyers. Eighty-five percent of the 4,840 exhibitors were satisfied with business at the show, say organizers. Exhibitors in the designer section of the Jewelry, Clocks and Watches segment of the multitrade show reported especially good business. The summer edition of the show will be held Aug. 26-30. Frankfurt Trade Fairs, Ludwig-Erhard-Anlage 1, 60327 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (49-69) 7575-6364, fax (49-69) 7575-6757.

The sixth International Jewellery Tokyo, held Feb. 15-18 in the Nippon Convention Center, Tokyo, Japan, attracted 692 exhibitors and 35,459 buyers, say organizers. While attendance was down because of the Kobe earthquake the preceding month, all exhibitors from that area managed to participate, though with reduced staffs. Features included the Bridal Corner, featuring bridal jewelry, and the Designers and Craftsmen Pavilion, featuring more than 40 exhibitors. U.S. exhibitors included Strellman’s of Ashland, Ore.; Cornelis Hollander Designs Inc. of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Mark Patterson Inc. of New York, N.Y. All three noted the Japanese market is more open to foreigners than it used to be. Next year’s show will be held Feb. 14-17. Reed Exhibitions Japan Ltd., 18F Shinjuku Nomura Bldg., 1-26-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 163-05, Japan; (81-3) 3349-8501, fax (81-3) 3345-7929.

The third annual Modern Life ’95 will be held Sept. 13-17 at the Intex Shanghai in Shanghai, China. The fair comprises three shows: International Jewellery & Watch Show, International Gifts & Home Show and International Furniture and Light Show. Grand China Exhibition Service Co., 6Fl-3, 63, Lane 122, Jen-Ai Rd., Sec. 4, Taipei 106, Taiwan; (886-2) 784-9623, fax (886-2) 755-7624.

The Shanghai International Wearing Merchant Exhibition will be held Sept. 25-29 in the Shanghai Exhibition Center, Shanghai, China. The show includes all sorts of wearable products, including jewelry and watches as well as all types of garments. Multimedia Marketing Ltd., Room 1902, Wellborne Commercial Centre, Eight Java Rd., North Point, Hong Kong; (852-2) 578-7668, fax (852-2) 503-3686.

VicenzaOro 2 will be held June 10-15 at the Vicenza Trade Fair complex in Vicenza, Italy. Special features will include Oromacchine, an exhibition of the latest in gold-crafting technologies, and the Gemological Pavilion, featuring natural and synthetic gems, loose and mounted, from around the world. A special travel package is available for anyone who wishes to leave for Vicenza from the JCK International Jewelry Show in Las Vegas. For travel information, call Travel Planners at (800) 221-3531 and ask for the Vegas Bridge to Vicenza. For information about the Vicenza show, contact the Italian Jewelry Guild, 8383 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 518, Beverly Hills, Cal. 90211; (800) 443-1479 or (213) 653-4705, fax (213) 653-1768.

The Australian Jewellery Fair will be held Sept. 3-6 in the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Center in Darling Harbour. The show is organized by Expertise Events Pty. Ltd., Level 2, 39 East Esplanade, Manly, New South Wales 2095, Australia; (61-2) 977-0888, fax (61-2) 977-0336.

A new trade show called International Jewellery Dubai will debut April 3-6 in the Dubai World Trade Centre. Exhibitors will include manufacturers of gold and silver jewelry, gem-set jewelry, loose gemstones, watches and clocks, findings, gifts, packaging and displays, and tools and machinery. The organizer is Reed Exhibition Cos., Oriel House, 26 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1DL, England; (44-81) 910-7963, fax (44-81) 910-7930.

Arab Jewellery ’95 will be held Oct. 17-20 in the Emirates Exhibitions Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The show will feature fine jewelry, loose stones and equipment. The 1994 edition of the show attracted more than 6,000 buyers who spent about $10 million, according to organizers. Emirates Exhibitions Center, P.O. Box 43697, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; (971-2) 795-444, fax (971-2) 795-136.

Organizers have announced revised dates for the third Mideast Watch & Jewellery Fair. The fair will be held Oct. 3-7, two weeks earlier than originally scheduled, in Sharjah. The organizer is the Expo Center Sharjah, P.O. Box 3222, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; (971-6) 391-888, fax (971-6) 392-888.

The Shanghai International Watch and Jewellery Fair was held Nov. 30-Dec. 4 in the Shanghai Centre. The show was open to the trade and the public. (Exhibitors couldn’t conduct retail sales of any gold or silver items because both metals remain under the control of the Bank of China.) Exhibitors were paid in cash with U.S. currency. The next show will be held Nov. 30-Dec. 3. Promo Services Ltd., 1601 Far East Finance Centre, 16 Harcourt Rd., Hong Kong; (852) 529-1519, fax (852) 529-1534.