In an exclusive with the New
Jeweller Bureau, David Bondi,
Senior Vice President of Informa
Markets in Asia and Celine Lau,
Director of Jewellery Fairs at
Informa Markets Jewellery, speak
about the success of the first JGT
show held in Dubai this February
and opine on the Jewellery & Gem
WORLD [JGW], to be organised in
Singapore later this year. Excerpts:
Informa has announced that
Jewellery & Gem WORLD, the famed
September Hong Kong show, is
temporarily relocating to Singapore
where it will be staged from 27 to 30
September. What is the strategy
behind this and why Singapore?
David Bondi: If two years of virtual meetings have proven anything, it’s that business
remains face to face and in person. Exhibitors and professional buyers miss the energy and
vitality of live events, and this was evident at the inaugural edition of Jewellery, Gem &
Technology Dubai (JGT), which received a ringing endorsement from our community in
February. JGT Dubai was the industry’s first international B2B show held in a physical
format this year. As the world's biggest and most influential jewellery fair, Jewellery &
Gem WORLD (JGW) has and will always be the meeting point for the global jewellery
industry. After a two-year pandemic-induced pause, JGW is more than ready to return to
full in-person B2B mode this September – complemented by our special-edition physical
event in Hong Kong (JGW Hong Kong – Special Edition, 16 – 19 September 2022, Hong
Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre). To make JGW’s global return possible, however,
we have to temporarily relocate from our Hong Kong home base to an alternative venue,
which has rationalised its border restrictions, resumed large-scale business events and
successfully implemented safe-management measures. Singapore fulfils all these
requirements and more.
The Lion City has just announced that starting from 1 April, all fully vaccinated visitors
from any country or region will be allowed to enter Singapore quarantine-free, with no ‘onarrival
test’ and ‘stay-home notice’ required. Most of Singapore’s COVID restrictions will
also be lifted including outdoor mask mandates and limits on social gatherings, among
others. Just like Hong Kong, Singapore serves as a major gateway to Asia and the world,
offering market access to 4 billion people within a 7-hour flight radius. Although flights to
certain destinations may be temporarily unavailable as we speak, the city is still easily
accessible from anywhere around the world, making it the ideal alternative venue for JGW.
With its modern meeting facilities, convenient and well-connected transport network, and pro - business environment,
Singapore has the capacity to
securely and efficiently host the
world’s most iconic jewellery
show. In terms of health and safety,
Singapore has an industry-led
accreditation programme, which
ensures that hygiene benchmarks
and safe-distancing best practices
are upheld at large-scale events.
Now, should we expect a JGW that
is an exact copy of the September
Hong Kong Fair that we all know
and love? The show will definitely look different and feel different. It will, however, have
the same sense of community and purpose that defines JGW. Everyone who is passionate
about our industry will be there - manufacturers, designers, brands, retailers, wholesalers
and innovators who will celebrate everything that is wonderful and enduring about
jewellery – for four intense days of trading and networking. The move to Singapore is a
one-off arrangement, and we expect to be back in Hong Kong in 2023 when conditions
allow for safe and responsible in-person interactions, and international travel restrictions
are lifted. But this year, I’m encouraging everyone to join me and our team in Singapore
where we can build new relationships and energise our industry together.
What about Singapore’s Goods & Services Tax (GST)? How easy would it be for international
visitors to avail themselves of GST refunds?
Celine Lau: Singapore is generally a free port and applies zero-duty to more than 99
percent of its imports, including jewellery. Having said that, all goods brought into
Singapore are subject to 7% Goods & Services Tax (GST). However, goods imported on
a temporary basis for the purpose of exhibitions, repairs or other approved purposes,
may be granted GST relief under the Temporary Import Scheme (TIS). This is welcome
news for our international exhibitors and visitors.
The relevant Singapore authorities have assured us that they will extend all the necessary
assistance needed to ensure that our show participants will have a smooth and seamless
GST refund experience at the airport.
Will a special-edition Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong still be held this September? If
yes, tell us more about it.
Celine Lau: Yes, prior to our Singapore event, we are staging JGW Hong Kong – Special
Edition from 16 to 19 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
(HKCEC). This sourcing event is returning to the city following its successful launch last
year, alongside its sister-fair, Jewellery & Gem ASIA Hong Kong – Special Edition in
June. Although buyers were predominantly local in origin due to international travel
restrictions, the 2021 special-edition fair topped our expectations in terms of onsite order-writing and visitor engagement. This only proves that when people, ideas and the
latest innovative products and services come together in one central meeting point,
exciting things could happen.
This year, the fair will be open to both trade buyers and jewellery lovers who wish to
capture the best possible exclusive show deals for the end-of-the-year selling season and
beyond. It is expected to draw China-based visitors once cross-border travel restrictions
are lifted. Just like last year, the show will be packed with product presentations
and engaging onsite activities. Our industry experts will also be
streaming live from the show floor, expanding our exhibitors’
international reach and taking the business conversation beyond
the physical space.
Informa Markets Jewellery and Italian Exhibition Group
teamed up together to organise a successful B2B exhibition
in Dubai this year, JGT Dubai. How did an alliance between
these competing companies happen? How long will the
partnership last?
David Bondi: I have mentioned before that JGT Dubai
represents, in a way, how fast our industry has
transformed in the new world, and how open we are to
exploring new opportunities and possibilities. Our
collaboration with the Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) is
unprecedented in the events industry, and I am certain that
it won’t be the last. Our partnership with IEG works because
we are committed to the same goal – to deliver real value to the
jewellery community. We have created synergy by bringing the
full weight of our resources, industry expertise, global reach and
local knowledge to JGT Dubai. Now, this is a clear case of the whole
being greater than the sum of its parts.
Our partnership with IEG is a game-changer, and we are confident that together, we will
stage an even more powerful Dubai show next year. The second edition is scheduled for
12 to 14 February 2023 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
What are the key factors that led to the success of JGT Dubai and what are your learnings
from this year’s show?
David Bondi: JGT Dubai is on its way to becoming one of the world’s premier B2B
events, and we couldn’t have done this without our strong partnerships, and solid
government and industry support.
We would like to express our deepest appreciation to DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities
Centre) and the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group – JGT Dubai’s official and industry
partners, respectively – and the Government of Dubai for helping us bring JGT Dubai to life. We would also like to thank
DWTC, all the industry
associations, our exhibitors and
visitors, and the media for joining us
on the first phase of our JGT Dubai
journey.
Informa and IEG have announced the
2023 JGT Dubai show dates. What
would be the format of the 2nd
edition? Would you be including Gold
and Diamond jewellery pavilions?
How about a day dedicated for
consumers?
Celine Lau: We are extremely pleased with the trade’s positive response to
JGT Dubai’s inaugural edition. We believe this has laid a strong
foundation for the event’s future growth. For our second edition, we
are exploring opportunities to further enhance the diversity of
our product and exhibitor mix. We made the fair easy to
navigate by concentrating on three main categories, namely
Jewellery Materials, Finished Jewellery and Technology.
Expect us to further fine-tune our product segmentation
based on the evolving needs of our core audience – the
B2B buyer.
With so much happening in the Gem and Jewellery sector
with regards to B2B exhibitions and shows, where do you
see Informa Markets Jewellery in the near future in terms
of market expansion and global reach?
David Bondi: We have found a way to evolve and thrive
because it is integral to our industry’s future. Our mission
is to put buyers and sellers together in the most efficient and
compelling way possible. This year, we have a full schedule
comprising 15 physical events in 12 cities and five theme-based
digital experiences that reflects our industry’s need to connect safely
and confidently, and make up for as many lost in-person engagements as
possible.
We are in three new cities this year – Dubai, Singapore and Bangkok (Jewellery & Gem
ASEAN Bangkok or JGAB, 2 – 5 November 2022, Queen Sirikit National Convention
Center), and without a doubt, there are real opportunities to expand further – either by
bringing our signature Jewellery & Gem Fairs to markets where the industry needs us or
by enhancing the sourcing experience through JewelleryNet, our online jewellery
community, and other digital resources. I would like to add that our new show in
Bangkok this November – JGAB – is uniquely positioned within our events portfolio. It
is a B2B cash-and-carry sourcing opportunity for buyers – more specifically, Southeast
Asia-based manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers – who need to restock inventories
quickly and efficiently for the Christmas and New Year selling season. At the end of the
day, it is the buyers who will decide where the shows will go and how they want to
experience the sourcing journey. By identifying their core needs, we will be able to
leverage our resources to their advantage.