The Vicenzaoro Jaunuary 2018, described by its organisers as “The Internatinal Jewellery Boutique Show”, opened January 19, 2018, and is scheduled to run through to January 24, 2018.

The show is organised by the Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), a company formed by the merger of Rimini Fiera and Fiera di Vicenza. 

This year, VICENZAORO January has the participation of 1,500 brands, up 10% from the last year; accommodated over 25,000 square meters. About 80% of these exhibitors are repeat participants; and a large number of them are top end brands. Also, the organisers noted, the presence of over 40% international exhibitors, coming from more than 35 countries; a presence which “continues to grow, confirming the consolidated role of the sector's reference hub for the Vicenza event”, IEG said.

The organisers also said that over 96,000 visitors, hailing from over 130 countries, visit the show. They stressed that “the key presence of the 3,800 top buyers, all hosted thanks to the collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development (MISE) and the Italian Trade Agency (ICE)”, added greatly to the show’s success.

This year the show was inaugurated in the presence of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economic Development, Italy, Ivan Scalfarotto.

Speaking on the occasion, Undersecretary Scalfarotto said that one of the  merits of the present government of Italy was its nurturing of  the luxury segment. “We are good at making machines,” he said. “But we are the number one also in creating jewellery and clothes. Our high-quality “Made in Italy” products are highly valued abroad and make up an important slice of the Italian export. This is why we have multiplied investments and with the extraordinary plan for the Made in Italy we have been able to give an important boost to production, and above all to exports.”  

The Managing Director of IEG, Corrado Facco, on his part introduced the main theme of this edition as the vision of the future: VISIO.NEXT. 

The VISIO.NEXT Summit, held as the opening event of the show focussed on the future of the luxury and jewellery sectors. 

Claudia D'Arpizio, Partner & Responsible for Vertical Luxury & Fashion of Bain & Company presented a brief talk on the luxury market, its size and growth  and  the importance of the intangible and experiential qualities to the sector. A discussion moderated by Alan Friedman and having  the participation of Carlo Capasa, President of the National Chamber of Italian Fashion;  Matteo Marzotto, in the dual role of IEG Executive Vice President and President of Dondup; Diego Nardin, CEO of Fope; Licia Mattioli, CEO of Mattioli; and Vice President for the internationalization of Confindustria, Adi Al Fardan, Founder of Adi Hasan Al Fardan Jewelery Trading;  and Andrea Panconesi - Founder and President of LuisaViaRoma also took place.

A variety of seminars have also been held to coincide with the show. These include the “Jewelry Technology Forum” – organised under the auspices of the T-Gold show – with a focus on technology for the gold and jewellery  sectors held on January 21. The organisers said it was “An opportunity for training and information, which allows the public to stay up to date with new trends in jewellery and related processes, with some exceptional speakers from the business and academic world”.

On the same day, a seminar on “Sustainable Gold: An opportunity for both industry and investors” was also held. It was organised jointly by Club degli Orafi Italia, an independent Association,  and the  Italian Exhibition Group S.p.A. (IEG).