The two last Jewelers International Showcase (JIS) shows of the year, scheduled for October in Miami Beach, Fla., and November in San Diego, have both been canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

A show statement said the move was made “after careful consideration and consultation with the Miami Beach Convention Center, the San Diego Convention Center, and public health officials.”

JIS hopes to provide some sort of virtual or digital experience, similar to the virtual JCK Las Vegas and Luxury shows held this week.

The statement noted that the Miami Beach Convention Center has been converted into an alternate care facility to provide additional capacity for local hospitals in hard-hit Florida. “There is uncertainty around the date that it will be converted back to a convention center,” according to the statement.

The San Diego Convention Center has also been repurposed, forcing JIS to cancel its November show there.

“Despite a strong and consistent desire for the show to take place from both retailers and exhibitors plus the development of a comprehensive plan that focuses on the safety of everybody planning to attend in person, it is clear that moving forward with the JIS in-person events simply are not possible this year,” said Jordan Tuchband, Reed Exhibitions vice president for JIS, in a statement. “We know thousand of businesses rely on JIS shows for their inventory needs, which is why the entire team is already hard at work to bring what people need most from our events directly to their living rooms, smartphones, offices, storefronts, etc. Our 2021 events in Miami Beach and San Diego remain on schedule, and we look forward to being able to see everybody in person next year.”

The next JIS Show is scheduled for March 22–24, 2021, at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

JIS is owned by Reed Exhibitions, which also owns JCK and JCKonline.

(Image courtesy of JIS)

Rob Bates

JCK News Director