I’ve been back a week from the nine-day marathon that is LUXURY by JCK and The JCK Show ~ Las Vegas, and while I’m just now starting to get my life back in order, I’ve been basking in the glow of friendship, compliments, fruitful business conversations, and fun times.

I’m sure Dave Bonaparte and his team are feeling the same way. By most every account I encountered, the shows were huge successes. Congratulations to Reed Exhibitions on terrific JCK ~ Las Vegas and LUXURY by JCK shows!

I had the pleasure this year of writing a column in the JCK Show Daily on the parties I attended, people I saw, trends from the floor, etc. It was great having folks come up and mention they’d read the column. Look for an expanded version next year—maybe with pictures!

Among the many terrific events I attended were the LUXURY by JCK opening-night party at Tao; cocktail parties at the Wynn for Luxury Brand Group, Jewelers Mutual Insurance, and the Tanzanite Foundation; our own fantastic staff dinner; the Swiss Watch by JCK cocktail party in a penthouse suite at the Venetian (wow!); the Hearst magazine party at Tao; Lazare Kaplan’s annual soirée at Zefferino; the WJA party at V Bar; Centurion Jewelry’s cocktail party at AquaNox; the annual Plumb Club dinner, featuring Chicago and the most amazing juggler/comedian; the fantastic 7:30 a.m. Platinum Guild “cocktail party”; the Sector Watches poker tournament; Von Dutch Watches’ Dennis Rodman autograph event and party at Caesar’s Pure; the wonderfully executed Jeweler’s for Children event (I just read on JCKmagazine.com that they raised $5 million this year!); and The JCK Show ~ Las Vegas 15th Anniversary cocktail party. It’s a wonder I’m still standing.

Watch for our first annual “Best of Show” issue next month. This new franchise issue will celebrate the events, trends, looks, and concepts that are most likely to make it from the show floor to the consumer market. It promises to be a fantastic read.

Many thanks again to all our friends, advertisers, and readers. It’s our daily focus to create the best read, most authoritative, most informative, and most stylish trade in the business. Your support makes it all possible.