By Rafiq Vayani
DUBAI: With a show footprint that is 46 percent bigger than the 2022 edition, Jewellery, Gem & Technology in Dubai (JGTD) is throwing open its doors today with impressive product launches, endless networking opportunities and an awards ceremony celebrating exceptional business leadership and success, show organisers Informa Markets Jewellery and Italian Exhibition Group SpA (IEG) announced.
Scheduled for 12 to 14 February in Sheikh Saeed Halls 1 – 3 of the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), JGTD’s second edition is brimming with new sourcing resources spread across close to 5,300 square metres of net exhibition space, making it 46 percent larger than last year’s inaugural fair.
International participation in the show also continues to grow. Of the fair’s nearly 350 exhibitors, 75 percent are from overseas, representing 24 countries and regions. Seven international pavilions under the banners of Brazil, Colombia, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Spain and Türkiye are likewise unveiling product showcases highlighting the collective strength of their hosted exhibitors. About seventy companies come from Italy, the most represented country. Presenting their own take on collections and technologies that are making their debuts at JGTD are best-in-class suppliers from other major sourcing locations who are offering show exclusives throughout various sections of the fair.
The overall number of pre-registered individual visitors and hosted buyers from 80+ countries and regions is also indicative of the widespread excitement for JGTD across the industry.
“We are delighted to welcome back our partners and friends from all across the globe to one of the most influential B2B jewellery events of the year. JGTD is where world-class suppliers and professional buyers can make real and meaningful connections, and nowhere is this better illustrated than in the halls of our community’s fastest-growing B2B marketplace right here in the golden city of Dubai,” said David Bondi, Senior Vice President of Informa Markets in Asia, organiser of the world’s No.1 B2B jewellery fair.
The curated event gives the professional buying community access to an outstanding roster of finished and semi-finished jewellery manufacturers, gemstone vendors and technology specialists, and the opportunity to explore and discover the biggest jewellery design trends for 2023 and beyond, Bondi continued.
“Through our collective efforts with our incredible partners – DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) and the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group (DGJG) – and the steadfast support of the Government of Dubai, we have created a buying event where you can discover for yourselves why JGTD is our community’s sourcing destination of choice,” he said.
Commenting on JGTD’s much-awaited second edition, Corrado Peraboni , CEO of Italian Exhibition Group, said, “JGTD is back with an even more abundant offer, intercepting the momentum of an industry that has been able to react with dynamism to uncertainty. Positioning itself as the ideal place for business for leading companies all along the supply chain, JGTD aims to serve that potential market basin of four billion people that refers to DUBAI as a business hub. This year’s show will once again be an unmissable event, a time when we look to the future together.”
JGTD is one of the signature events in the global jewellery and gemstone trade show calendar, and “there is no better time than now for such a dialogue to take place,” said Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, the fair’s Official Partner.
“As the only B2B jewellery trade show in the region – and going off on the overwhelming success of the inaugural event last year – JGTD is supporting the growth and development of the global gold and diamond industries, while also strengthening the position of Dubai at its core,” commented Bin Sulayem. “JGTD 2023 will connect key industry stakeholders from across the globe to unlock the full potential of the global gem and jewellery market, particularly as the world faces ongoing economic uncertainty and trade disruption. At DMCC, we are incredibly proud to be associated with such an important trade show.”
As the jewellery trading hub of the Middle East, Dubai is considered by many industry professionals as the ideal city to host a jewellery event of this stature, shared Tawhid Abdullah, chairman of DGJG, JGTD’s Industry Partner.
“Following its very successful inaugural edition, we are delighted to see JGTD on a bigger and better canvas this year. We believe that a jewellery exhibition of this scale will unlock the full potential of jewellery businesses in the Middle East and neighbouring markets. We await to see new participants, and new and repeat buyers from promising markets at the show this year,” Abdullah said. “We believe that the presence and growth of JGTD will further establish Dubai’s position as the ‘Jewellery Destination of the World.’”
Beyond product sourcing, JGTD’s second edition is celebrating innovation, inclusivity, sustainability, social partnerships and business excellence by paying tribute to the four Honourees of the 2023 JWA Dubai Special Edition – a regional edition of one of the most prestigious awards given in the industry – the Jewellery World Awards (JWA).
This year’s Honourees are Dhamani Jewels, Brand of the Year – Retail; Pure Gold Jewellers, Outstanding Enterprise of the Year; Belmont Emeralds,Outstanding Coloured Gemstone Enterprise of the Year, and Kobi Sevdermish of Advanced Quality ACC Ltd,Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
In addition to the Awards Presentation Ceremony, JGTD also hosted a panel discussion, “Inspired Leadership In A Post-Pandemic World,” moderated by Martin Leake, Special Advisor – Precious Stones at DMCC. The event featured JWA Dubai Special Edition Honourees and two of the city’s key industry pillars, namely Bin Sulayem of DMCC and DGJG’s Abdullah , who was also the recipient of JWA Dubai 2022’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Opening Ceremony, 2023 JWA Dubai Special Edition Awards Presentation Ceremony and Panel Discussion took place today, 12 February, from 2:30pm to 4pm at JGTD’s Celebration of Excellence Stage.
Tomorrow, 13 February, Paola De Luca, Creative Director and co-Founder of Trendvision Jewellery + Forecasting, will give a talk on “THE JEWELLERY TRENDBOOK 2024+ – From Consumer Culture to New Market Opportunities.” The session will also take place on the main stage from 2:30pm to 3:30pm.
