JCK Las Vegas is bringing high-end jewelry companies together on the show floor. Fifth Avenue on Level 2 of the exhibit floor is already home to the Design Center, LUXURY Collection, and Prestige Promenade. For 2008, JCK has added the Grande Plaza Pavilion to the same area, bringing many of the shows high end brands to a central location.

Retailers will find it much more manageable to navigate this high-end section of the 17th annual JCK Las Vegas, which will take place May 30 – June 3, at the Sands Expo & Convention Center and Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, JCK Events, which produces the annual trade show. 

The Grande Plaza Pavilion
A reinvigorated Galleria, now known as the Grande Plaza Pavilion, will feature high-end jewelry companies. Exhibitors who have already signed on include Charles Wolf Couture, Inc, Floriani Astucci SRL, Gemveto Jewelry, Hammerman Brothers, Lazare Kaplan, Louis Fiessler & Co., Masriera-Bagues, Oscar Heyman & Brothers, Inc, Precious Gems Resources, Inc., Quadamas, Ramon Joiers, S.L., and The DeYoung Collection.

“We thank Bob Hochberg of Hammerman Brothers and David Spivak of Charles Wolf Couture for spearheading this effort to bring these luxurious and upscale jewelry designers together in this new pavilion on the JCK Show floor,” said Dave Bonaparte, Group vice president, JCK Events. “The Grande Plaza Pavilion will compliment the LUXURY Collection, Prestige Promenade and the Design Center giving retailers access to the best of the best in one easy to navigate location.”

Bonaparte added that the Grande Plaza will have a new unified look and will offer the retailers who visit several amenities including spacious, comfortable lounges, and complimentary refreshments.  

The Design Center
Approximately 100 designer companies will showcase an assortment of designs and styles in The Design Center. In addition, eight designers have been selected as The Rising Stars, a group of companies who will make their jewelry trade show debut. The 2008 Rising Stars include: Amali, Gemra AG, Ginger Peachy, Jessica DiRubio Jewelry, Jetalia, Misha of New York, Nina Basharova, and Rebecca Overmann.

“A jury of designers, magazine editors and PR consultants met in November and hand selected these 100 designers and 8 Rising Stars. We encourage all retailers to make time to stop by and see many of the new designers exhibiting this year,” Bonaparte said. “We had an overwhelming response from companies wanting to exhibit in The Design Center and are so pleased to welcome back such prestigious designers as Alishan, Susan Sadler, Sugarman-Frantz, Robert Wander for Winc Creations, Jane Bohan Inc., and William Schraft Designs.”

On June 1 at 2:30 pm, 50 retailers will be honored for their lasting excellence at selling designer jewelry at The Designer Retailer Awards and Ceremony. The top five retailers will receive special recognition. The list of Top 50 will be voted on by the members of the Design Center who will take into consideration the retailer’s ongoing success at marketing, displaying, and selling designer jewelry.

The Design Center exhibitors also will be featured during the JCK Las Vegas Welcome Reception on May 30 at 7:00 pm at Caesars Palace. Design Center exhibitors will have a designated area to showcase three pieces of jewelry.

This year’s sponsors of The Design Center are GZ Art and Design and Niche Magazine. GZ Art and Design will feature several German jewelry designers who will be making their debut at JCK Las Vegas. While meeting and doing business with all of the designers in this special area, retailers will be able to enjoy cappuccino and biscotti throughout the Show and at 4 pm each afternoon the Design Center Bar will offer its signature Orangetini. The Design Center Concierge desk can help make onsite appointments with Design Center exhibitors.

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