From Las Vegas to New York to Miami, JCK’s circle continues to widen

JCK Las Vegas concluded its fifth year at Mandalay Bay with a 4 percent bump in attendance, reflecting renewed vigor in the trade, especially among vendors of high-end and branded goods. JCK’s Yancy Weinrich gives us the postmortem.

JCK: What was the reaction to the new layout at the show?
Yancy Weinrich: We got great feedback, both from buyers and exhibitors. They said it looked fresh and was easier to navigate, a better experience all around.

JCK: What about the revamped education program?
YW: The JCK Talks and Shark Tank programs were really well attended. They brought people into the show a day early and people liked that. The wearable tech exhibition that Richline put on was a hit. One of the things retailers are struggling with is how to incorporate wearable tech into their stores. The show highlighted a lot of those tipping points for the industry.

The JCK Talks education series and the new floor layout were big hits with show attendees.

JCK: LUXURY Privé opens July 26 in NYC. What’s new?
YW: We’ve had significant demand for booths at Privé because people didn’t get all their order writing done in Vegas. It’s a good time of the year when the industry comes together in New York. We’re at the Waldorf again, which the industry loves.

JCK: JCK is taking over JIS in Miami. Why is that important?
YW: For exhibitors, it’s opening up new markets in Latin America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. And for buyers, we’re adding exhibitors that are bringing in more diversity. Plumb Club and LUXURY are going to be there. And we’ve secured the two best hotels on South Beach for the LUXURY event: the SLS and the Delano. Plus, the Miami Beach Convention Center is an exciting place to hold an event. It’s right in the heart of South Beach. You’ll see new product, more buyers, and a team of new JIS faces.