To make the most of its new home at Mandalay Bay, the LUXURY at JCK show expands to seven full days

LUXURY at JCK, a sister event to the main JCK show taking place in Las Vegas this month, has long been distinguished by its intimacy and roster of high-end vendors. But for years, buyers who weren’t invited missed out on the three-day affair.

This year, the lack of an invite won’t be a problem. For the first time in its 12-year history, the show will take place over the course of seven full days—May 31 to June 6 at the Mandalay Bay Ballroom—overlapping the entire four-day JCK Las Vegas show. Although the first three days of LUXURY are still, according to tradition, invitation only, the event opens up to all JCK buyers for the last four days of its run.

Executives at JCK Events—the organizers of both the LUXURY show and the main JCK Las Vegas show—say extending the LUXURY dates was a logical decision. “It makes it easier for the buyers to find the best of the best in one location,” says John Tierney, event director for LUXURY at JCK.

TRIUMPHANT ARCH
Platinum bracelet? with 4.75 cts. t.w. rose-cut diamonds and 2.30 cts. t.w. round brilliant-cut stones; $102,685; Beaudry, Los Angeles; 877-BEAUDRY; michaelbeaudry.com

For vendors who’ve traditionally exhibited at both the LUXURY and JCK shows, the move means not having to break down one booth in a mad rush to set up another. For attendees, the new format makes it easier to find people—the show’s 200-plus exhibitors will remain in the same location for the entire week.

Attendees are also invited to check out a new venue, Elite Enclave, located adjacent to LUXURY and designed to be even more intimate. Touted as an ultra-luxurious gathering of nine elite designer brands, the area is home to Beaudry, Stenzhorn, FENDI Timepieces, and Temple St. Clair, among others.

Beyond its cozy crew of exhibitors, Elite Enclave sets itself apart from the other shows at Mandalay Bay with a number of distinctive design touches—like a series of whimsical, candy-colored glass octopus chandeliers crafted by Philadelphia artist Adam Walla­cavage, and photography by New York City–based Jessica Craig Martin, who snaps stylish and uncommon details at society functions (hemlines and heels, for example, and bejeweled hands clasping clutches). The swanky setting is intended to give the vendors—who offer pieces as sophisticated as the décor—a venue as exclusive as the pieces they produce.

SWINGING STYLE
Tassel earrings in 18k white gold with 225 cts. t.w. tanzanite beads, 8.70 cts. t.w. sapphires, and 3.75 cts. t.w. colorless diamonds; price on request; Goshwara by Lush Jewels, New York City; 212-937-9727; www.lushjewels.com

The idea behind Elite Enclave, Tierney explains, is to create “an artistic and curated [show] experience that will ‘wow’ the most refined individual.” Guests of the LUXURY show—including London Jewelers in Manhasset, N.Y.; Lux Bond & Green in West Hartford, Conn.; Traditional Jewelers in Newport Beach, Calif.; and more—represent some of the most influential retailers in their respective markets. To help them maximize the show’s social and networking opportunities, organizers plan to go heavy on refreshments, which will include breakfast bellinis, catered lunches, espresso stations, afternoon snacks, and plenty of cocktail hours.

In fact, these also include some invitation-only events: a welcome gathering on Monday, May 30, and late-night lounges on Tuesday, May 31, and Wednesday, June 1, in addition to a night of entertainment on Wednesday that’s being kept under wraps—for now.

“We are keeping it secret at the moment, but I can assure you that we will have several ‘wow’ factors,” Tierney says. “Those attending should bring their dance shoes and be ready for a world-class dinner.”

LET THERE BE LIGHT
Philadelphia-based artist Adam Wallacavage’s outrageous octopus-themed chandeliers will be part of the curated experience awaiting buyers in the Elite Enclave ballroom.

But all play and no work this isn’t. Among the keynote presenters speaking at LUXURY this year are editors from Martha Stewart Weddings and representatives from the Palladium Alliance International, on the Wednesday and Thursday of the show, respectively. Additionally, personal concierges will be positioned on the show floor and at registration to help show-goers navigate the new landscape and zero in on the exhibitors they want to find. 

Once the JCK show opens on Friday, June 3, LUXURY attendees can take advantage of that event’s vast education program, not to mention its 2,500 exhibitors, and still end the day the LUXURY way: with a cocktail hour every day from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Elite Enclave ballroom.

Inside Info From Tuesday, May 31, through Thursday, June 2, LUXURY at JCK and Elite Enclave will be open only to invited guests. On Friday, June 3, both events open their doors to all retailers attending JCK Las Vegas.