Vicenza - Italy
AWJ exclusive interview: Talking Jewellery, international events and future exhibition plans in the Middle East with Marco Carniello, Global Exhibition Director (Jewellery & Fashion) of Italian Exhibition Group.
Over 800 brands will be exhibiting at Vicenzaoro this September, post the global pandemic crisis. What message are you reflecting as an organizer by hosting this international event?
The upcoming edition of Vicenzaoro will be Europe’s first big event within the jewellery and watches industry that will take place in physical presence. After an almost year-long standstill, it will finally allow its visitors to build and reinforce their relations through in-person business meetings.
When we first confirmed the upcoming event, we could immediately see the enthusiastic reactions of buyers and visitors who are looking forward to returning to in-presence events. This proves that face-to-face events continue to be the most effective way to meet new people and negotiate deals and partnerships.
Knowing this, makes it clear to Italian Exhibition Group that it is our responsibility to “lead” the European industry through this important transitional phase towards the sector’s recovery. The motto of Vicenzaoro’s September edition is “The state of the art”. We have chosen the slogan because we believe that right now, it is necessary to not only look at the future of the industry (as we have always done at Vicenzaoro), but above all to take a snapshot of the present moment. We understand that the community needs to reflect on where exactly the industry is standing and what significant changes have occurred since the beginning of the pandemic.
At the same time, we are aware of the fact that the pandemic is still not over. In fact, we have worked hard to create an environment in which we can organize safe, enjoyable exhibitions and congresses. Our #Safebusiness by IEG project, a detailed prevention and safety protocol against Covid, makes this possible. We are the first Italian company to obtain the international GBAC STAR accreditation for introducing the correct practices, procedures and systems to meet the international standards of cleanness, disinfection and infectious disease prevention for facilities and staff.
Furthermore, in accordance with current legislation and with the aim to protect companies, visitors, suppliers, staff, and all those who enter the Expo Centres while the trade shows are underway will be required to be in possession of a “Green Pass” or a negative test taken within 48 hours. Those without this pass will be able to do a rapid antigen test at a special price at the Expo Centre entrance upon prior on-line reservation.
To make sure that the visitors get all their questions answered, we have launched a site where you can request information pertaining to the organization of your journey to Italy in complete safety:
https://visits.vicenzaoro.com/link/safetravel?_ga=2.110471685.1600508016.1627292697-942741027.1627292697
Regardless of the current situation, we stay positive about the future of IEG and Vicenzaoro. We want to continue being the engine boosting the jewellery industry.
What challenges did you face in organizing this edition of Vicenzaoro? And what will be the key features of this years ‘edition?
Because we are the ones to organize the first big show for the jewellery and watches sector in Europe, we have worked extensively on this edition. We have conducted our work in a context of great uncertainty that required a lot of flexibility and the ability to quickly react to changes. The presence of over 800 exhibitors and a full exhibition center are a proof of the companies’ trust in IEG and our ability to work in synergy with all the players in the market to give a new impetus to the sector.
This year’s edition of Vicenzaoro will be a multifaceted experience. The fair will offer a cross-section of the entire supply chain and take a closer look at manufacturing, production technologies, semifinished products, packaging, and service with several new projects.
It will include VO’ Clock, a B2B area dedicated to contemporary watches with 23 confirmed brands, VO Vintage, dedicated to timepiece lovers of the watch and jewellery, and host T. GOLD, the international show for jewellery machinery and the most innovative technologies applied to gold and jewellery processing which usually takes place in January.
Visitors can expect five days of business, talks, conferences and the appearances of special guests within the scope of a think tank on the jewellery and watch world. They will look at the present and the future of the industries and offer professional trainings as well as trend forecasts. We furthermore offer a space for innovation, such as the exclusive preview of the Calasys-system, the first real alternative to the spiral in watchmaking created by the world-famous master watchmaker Vincent Calabrese.
VO Vintage will be back for the second edition in a row. What’s the value added of this activation on Vicenzaoro exhibition?
With VO Vintage, we wanted to implement a request of already existing digital communities of enthusiasts of second-hand watches that were looking for a physical platform that would allow them to meet in person. VO Vintage is born out of a moment of exchange, reunion, and passion. It allows collectors, enthusiasts and onlookers of vintage watches as well as all other visitors to dive into the world of timepiece watches. It unites the market’s leading players, key influencers and the international vintage watch and jewellery community and, at the same time, takes a close look at iconic vintage jewellery.
One of the specials of the second edition is the attendance of the sector’s four most important dealers who will present their selection of rare and highly sought-after watches: Stefano Mazzariol, Maurizio De Angelis, Elvio Piva and Corrado Mattarelli. It will also host other experts and high-profile figures who will share their thoughts and knowledge during talks and conversations with their audience.
Do you intend to attract more international watch suppliers and manufacturers to participate in future editions?
Watches used to be a very important part of our fair in the 90’s, and we believe that there is a lot of potential in focusing on them again. There are many synergies within the jewellery markets in terms of distribution and retailing. The world has obviously changed a lot over the past 20 years, which is why we will present different formats and value propositions to watch brands and suppliers.
Retail business is changing to meet the global customers’ requirements. What are your prospects and plans for e-exhibitions?
Face-to-face events will continue playing a significant role in business and communication. However, it is important to be able to navigate the world in an adaptable way. Because of the pandemic, we had to make use of digital tools which have become extremely relevant and received much attention to the point where now, they are commonly used by professionals within the jewellery industry.
It is important to mention that this was expected long before the beginnings of the pandemic. Covid only accelerated the developments. What we will see in the future is a combination of virtual and in-person events. Virtual events are an efficient and strategic way to keep the community of visitors and buyers connected between face-to-face events. They can furthermore enrich the in-person experience by providing new opportunities.
This adaptation also helped IEG in dealing with the pandemic and approaching its challenges with a more than necessary flexibility. As an example, we have created new virtual formats such as the fully digital event “WE ARE Jewellery” and the hybrid event “VOICE”, which has been the only international event in attendance of 2020. They both offered new, innovative opportunities within the areas of networking and visibility.
When it comes to Vicenzaoro, we will continue to be the right platform for key opinion leaders and industry members to share their thoughts on the worlds of jewellery and watches - regardless of the circumstances.
Middle Eastern markets have been on your plans for quite some time. What are your future plans for hosting B2B edition of Vicenzaoro in the UAE?
Dubai has always represented a strategic hub for Vicenzaoro. We have been present in the UAE with ad hoc initiatives for several years and exporting our expertise in the exhibition field and accompanying Italian companies in their path to the internationalization.
For 2022, we have announced JGT Dubai, a new, highly impactful jewellery show experience that will take place between the 22nd and the 24th of February at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). The three-day sourcing event will be organized in joint venture with Informa Markets Jewellery and combine resources, industry expertise, global reach, and local knowledge in a unique way. It will be organized with the support of DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre), JGT Dubai’s official partner, and the industry partner Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group.
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