In January, Mandalay Bay Convention Center unveiled a $70 million, 350,000-square-foot expansion that makes it the fifth-largest exhibition venue in the United States in both total square feet and exhibition space. For JCK Las Vegas showgoers, that means one thing: Prepare to navigate a sea of change.
Brand-New Bayside
The show, now in its sixth year at Mandalay Bay, has devised a novel layout to take advantage of the expanded lower Bayside level. The redesign spawned an initiative, according to the show, to “intelligently rearrange” booths and group similar product categories together. The upshot: More than 2,400 vendors will be in new locations. Get up to speed at jckonline.com/lasvegas/plan.
The Bridge
Bayside will welcome a new neighborhood, The Bridge, dedicated to trendy fashion jewelry. “We have both large brands—ranging from Charriol, Thomas Sabo, and Tous, which is making its U.S. debut on the floor—to smaller brands like King Baby and Chan Luu,” says Katie Dominesey, industry vice president at JCK Events. “We’ve also done a collaboration with Accessories Council this year, where they will bring a collection of brands.”
Eye on Design
The reimagined Design Center will now be located on the Bayside level and divided into three sections reflecting the evolution of a designer’s career: Kickstarter, Rising Star, and Resident Design Center. “Our three-tiered evolution model means that JCK can be a resource for designers whether they’re at the beginning of their journey, they’re starting to grow, or they’re industry icons,” Dominesey says.
LUXURY Expands
Meanwhile, the upper Shorelines level combines a few key areas: The LUXURY show welcomes Prestige and the new LUXURY Watch in an expanded ballroom adjacent to LUXURY’s traditional spot. “It allows us to bring together Prestige, LUXURY brands looking for more space to showcase their lines, and a new LUXURY Watch area, giving retailers exposure to new brands and collections during their time at the show,” says Sarin Bachmann, event director for LUXURY and LUXURY Privé.
Introducing: JIS Exchange
Perhaps the biggest news is the debut of JIS Exchange, the Vegas arm of Miami’s Jewelers International Showcase. Open June 3–6 at the Tropicana to buyers with JCK Las Vegas badges, JIS Exchange allows at-show delivery. “By bringing this proven style to the totally remodeled Tropicana during Las Vegas jewelry week, it fulfills a growing niche that was previously underrepresented,” says Jordan Tuchband, industry vice president at JIS. Plus: It’s just minutes from JCK thanks to dedicated shuttles.
Greater Access
The convention center remodel boasts 1,800 additional parking spots as well as a second entrance, more registration counters, and new dining options.
Enhanced Education
JCK Talks kicks off Thursday, June 2, with a morning keynote in the South Seas ballroom by Frances Cole Jones, author of How to Wow: Proven Strategies for Selling Your (Brilliant) Self in Any Situation and The Wow Factor: The 33 Things You Must (and Must Not) Do to Guarantee Your Edge in Today’s Business World. For the first time, the talk is open to both the LUXURY and the JCK communities.
Friday’s education schedule is built around the topic of design, Saturday’s is titled “Bridge,” and Sunday’s boasts a tech theme. Each day will feature three sessions in an area of the show floor dubbed The Showcase: a 10 a.m. session dedicated to exhibitor previews; a noon session involving trend talks with Hollywood stylists, bloggers, and editors; and a 3 p.m. session featuring retailer panels.
Finally, Friday also features an “Afternoon With Your Associations”—including AGTA, GIA, JVC, and WJA, which are all hosting their own sessions in Tradewinds.
Top: LUXURY runs May 31–June 2 (by invitation) and June 3–6 (for all JCK-ers); inset: Silver City is just one of the exhibitors you’ll find at the new JIS Exchange at the Tropicana.