More Than 5,000 Jewelry Industry Professionals Participate in JCK Virtual
August 24, 2020
Joining the pack of annual trade shows and conferences that have been going virtual in recent months, JCK Events pulled off its first edition of JCK Virtual, an online version of the annual JCK Las Vegas and Luxury by JCK events for the global jewelry and watch industry. Held Aug. 10-14 with the theme “Reconnection,” the digital show offered global jewelry and watch buyers and suppliers a full slate of programming, including virtual networking and appointments, expert insights and education, and product discovery via virtual showrooms.
Upward of 5,000 jewelry industry professionals participated in JCK Virtual, with more than 3,400 attendees, including 2,400 buyers, and more than 700 exhibiting companies. Participants from around the globe reconnected via chat feeds, video meetings, product and exhibitor directories and look books, JCK Talks and keynotes, jewelry trends panels and more.
“The jewelry industry is based on relationships and a highly visual product mix and relies on JCK Las Vegas each year to accomplish the majority of their buying,” said Sarin Bachmann, group vice president of Reed Jewelry Group, which produces the shows. “The challenge was to create an online platform that replicates the experience of in-person meetings and browsing a diverse mix of products and exhibitors on a show floor as best as possible.”
An Engaging Experience
According to show officials, JCK Virtual visitors were highly engaged on the platform, with much activity focused on the exhibitor and product directories, virtual showrooms and conference sessions. The exhibitor and product directories received more than 43,000 page views as of the end of the show, while visitors performed more than 142,000 search queries, nearly 60,000 product views and more than 35,000 virtual showroom views.
Other event highlights included:
- 34 educational sessions and 17 JCK Talks sessions
- Daily keynotes presented by industry leaders
- In-depth trends coverage via 12 JCK Talks Trends panels
- Five days of product discovery and virtual appointments
- Live networking and special events
Exhibitor Susan Klemt Williams, vice president of Artistry Ltd and Graymoor Lane Designs, praised JCK Virtual as a vehicle for showcasing her company’s brand while reconnecting with retail partners.
“While we deeply missed the one-on-one interaction, we were very pleased to have so many people expressing interest to meet with us virtually,” Williams said.
JCK Gives Back
JCK Virtual participants had several opportunities to give back to communities in need, including through the online version of the annual Jewelers For Children Rings of Strength, during which attendees clocked their daily physical activities such as running or walking. Attendees completed nearly 500,000 combined steps and raised more than $6,000 to help underprivileged children, according to show officials.
The industry also came together online to support the JCK Industry Fund, which provides annual grants to jewelry industry associations and groups. During the event, the Fund announced its new diversity and inclusion grant, which offers funds to organizations supporting BIPOC industry initiatives.
Learn more about contributing to these efforts here.
Looking Toward a Hybrid Future
Despite the success of JCK Virtual and the positive feedback, the digital experience can’t replace or fully replicate the in-person experience, Bachmann said. Like many major trade shows, going forward, JCK Events plans to eventually offer a hybrid model that will offer premium digital features alongside its live events.
“The feedback we’ve received from our attendees and exhibitors is that JCK Virtual offered an unparalleled new and modern experience in these unprecedented times, and that they are looking forward to reuniting in 2021 in Las Vegas,” Bachmann said.
JCK Las Vegas and Luxury by JCK will return to the Venetian Resort & Sands Expo June 4-7 and June 2-7, 2021, respectively. Learn more about both shows here.
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Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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