The jewelry industry’s biggest gathering of the year is a little more than a week away. Buyers headed to JCK Las Vegas won’t want to miss the newness at this year’s show. Sarin Bachmann, group vice president of the jewelry portfolio at Reed Exhibitions (JCK’s parent company), walks us through the highlights.
Registration
“We’ve extended our registration hours. On Thursday, June 1, registration will stay open until 8 p.m. to help attendees get ahead of the Friday-morning rush,” says Bachmann. “Insider tip: If they preregister and bring their confirmation QR code, they can use the fast pass kiosks to avoid long and slow on-site registration lines.”
JCK keynote
“Johnny Cupcakes, our keynote speaker, was named a ‘top innovator in retail’ by the Boston Globe and has been featured in Inc., Wired, and Forbes, among others. His keynote, sponsored by Sarine Technologies, moves to Saturday morning, June 3rd. Find him in the Palazzo Ballroom on Level 5 of the Venetian.”
JCK Rocks
“First and foremost, JCK Rocks with headliner Andy Grammer will definitely be a highlight. The event is moving back to its normal Sunday-night time slot, and is sponsored by Brosway Italia. He’ll do a 45-minute set, followed by the Hakkasan resident DJ for anyone who wants to stick around after. Doors open at 9 p.m. That’s right after the Jewelers for Children event, which will be in the same room, on the fifth floor of the Palazzo.”
The Innovation Hub
“Innovation is a big theme this year. Everyone comes to JCK looking for what’s new, and we like to help the industry focus on what’s next. Where to find that is our Innovation Hub at the back of level 2. We’ll have companies focused on retail innovation and our JCK Talks Showcase Stage, where there will be education focused on this.
“We also have a new Social Stage and content creation zone. We always recommend when retailers come to the show that they post content back on their sites for their customers to see, because that’s just another reason to get jewelry buyers into stores, to see what’s new. We’re trying to create a zone to make it easier for retailers, with tips and tricks to share what they’re seeing at the show. We’re helping them to drive traffic to their stores at a time when maybe it’s not as busy.”
JCK Talks
“On the Showcase Stage, we have new JCK Talk tracks focused on hot topics, retail experiences, industry breaking news, sustainability, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, among others. There will be over 60 sessions, with each topic at the same time each day.”
JCK Pro
“JCK Pro is new and different this year. Based on feedback we got from the industry, there’s more interest in JCK Pro being an on-site upgraded experience versus a 365-day benefit. So upon registration, attendees can upgrade their badge to JCK Pro and will get access to a bunch of amenities that will give them VIP benefits at the show, such as access to a business center to get meetings done and utilize services.
“There’s a JCK Masterclass on Saturday, June 3, on digital advertising strategies; there’s a JCK Pro lounge on the show floor, a place to go and take a beat for a minute with amenities, as well as some exclusive drops of JCK swag that will be announced for JCK Pro badge holders. They also get a VIP registration where they can pick their badge up in an expedited process. It’s definitely a worthwhile investment for anyone looking for an upgraded experience while they’re at the show.”
Career Zone
“We have a new Career Zone area at the front of the show. We’re doing this because it’s a challenge the industry is facing in hiring talent. So we created classified job listings on the JCK site. Anyone can post an industry job there. What we’ll do to get the word out about this is a career site area, where there will be screens and a networking event on Sunday, June 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. It’ll be right in front of Plumb Club when you walk into the JCK hall on level 2.”
New activations and experiences
“The activations and experience moments were a big hit at the show last year. This year, we have some new ones, including a permanent jewelry activation. We’re going to do it in the Golden Hour lounge sponsored by Stuller. Attendees can receive their own permanent jewelry bracelet and experience how it can be done with their customers. We’ll also give attendees an opportunity to have an Instagram moment with golden-hour lighting—that really great lighting that helps you take a really great photo.”
Design Collective events
“In the Design Collective, there’s a meet-the-designers event on Friday, June 2 at 2:30 p.m. and a Jewelers’ Choice Awards toast at 3:30. It’s a great time to check out the Design Collective and all the new up-and-coming designers in there, including those showing with the WJA’s Jewelry Loupe Project and the Black in Jewelry Coalition booth.”
Sustainability
“Last but not least, we will again focus on inclusion as well as sustainability. There are tracks for both. We’re also asking all attendees and exhibitors to recycle their badges at the end of the show—we’ll have bins for that.”
Top: JCK Rocks headliner Andy Grammer
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