The latest edition of the Vicenza fair, VicenzaOro September 2018, concluded on a high note with the organisers, the Italian Exhibition Group S. p. A. (IEG) reporting attendance of over 20,000 trade visitors from 117 countries, with over 40% being from overseas.

While the overall numbers of those who visited the show that was held from September 22-26, 2018, was in line with the September 2017 edition, despite the dates overlapping with a Jewish festival, IEG said that the number of visitors from China rose sharply (up 73% due to the lowering of import duties), while those from the US rose by 23%. Attendance from United Arab Emirates and Europe remained at the previous year’s levels.

There were also 1,500 selected trade buyers, including representatives from large-scale American department stores and leading Chinese and European chain stores, as well as over 140 journalists who were invited to Vicenza in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development, through ICE Agenzia (Italian Trade Agency), and in close coordination with Confindustria Federorafi. 

In addition to the direct trade on the exhibition floor, there were also over 30 educational events covering themes such as product innovation, consumer modalities and the current market trends. Of special significance were the discussions on digital innovations organised in association with Confcommercio Federpreziosi, with presentations on issues related to the watch and jewellery industry by sectoral experts.

Another highlight was the presentation of TrendBook 2020+, the publication compiled by VICENZAORO’s independent research centre, TRENDVISION Jewellery + Forecasting, by Paola De Luca – Creative Director and Forecaster.   

A new facet of the autumn edition of the Show was T.EVOLUTION - Jewellery Machinery & Technology, organized in collaboration with Centro Produttività Veneto (CPV), specifically focused on jewellery and gold processing technologies and machinery, particularly contemporary digital technologies and manufacturing methods. 

The fair also coincided with the opening of a new temporary exhibition entitled “Jewels of Power: Crowns and Tiaras”, hosted at Vicenza’s Museo del Gioiello, located inside the Basilica Palladiana. The exhibition, curated by Alessandra Possamai, and managed by IEG in partnership with Vicenza Municipality and directed by Alba Cappellieri, is one of only a few museums in the world dedicated exclusively to jewellery.

Pic courtesy: VicenzaOro