Welcome to the June issue of JCK, which is distributed to 10,000 JCK Las Vegas show attendees as well as our monthly circulation of 25,000. If you’re reading this for the first time while at the show, welcome! Here’s hoping the predictions for a fantastic 2012 event are coming true right now.
I’m just back from my April whirlwind of back-to-back shows and events. First up was the SMART Show at Chicago’s Navy Pier. Congrats to Dan Kisch and his team on another solid show. Retailers seemed cautiously optimistic, price-point product appeared to be selling well, and the higher-end exhibitors reported a good deal of shopping in advance of Vegas. A highlight of the trip was a delicious dinner at the restaurant Quartino with my colleagues Robin Lutin, Bill Furman, and Bobbie Hamburg.
Next up was the American Gem Society Conclave, held this year at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami. (I know, it’s rough duty, but someone’s got to do it.) Congrats to Ruth Batson and her team on another successful Conclave! And best wishes to two industry friends: outgoing AGS president Cathy Calhoun of Calhoun Jewelers and incoming AGS president David Gardner of David Gardner’s Jewelers!
My colleague Bill Furman captured this shot on my favorite run in the world: Chicago’s lakefront!
I always enjoy Conclave, as I’m there solely as a brand ambassador (no sales teams, no meetings). It gives me plenty of time to chat with retailers about the industry, their successes and challenges, and their impressions and opinions of our publication and website. Thanks to everyone for your wonderfully positive feedback on JCK.
Two big evenings this year were the Diamond Empowerment Fund party at the W South Beach hotel (again, rough duty) and LUXURY’s dinner for 65 show exhibitors and attendees. Yancy Weinrich and John Tierney of the JCK Events team were phenomenal hosts, and everyone had a fantastic time.
Back at our offices in New York City, I’m thrilled to announce a promising new partnership we’ve entered into with The Knot, XO Publishing’s amazing consumer bridal magazine and website. Our collaboration includes exclusive access to The Knot’s 2011 Bridal Survey. We plan to mine the survey for the data our retailer readers need to understand the bridal consumer. We’re going to use that info, along with additional partnership content, as the basis for our first JCK/The Knot Bridal Supplement, coming out this September. We’re flattered and honored that The Knot has chosen to align its leading consumer brand with our leading business-to-business brand.
Again, I hope your time in Vegas is a huge success! I’ll look for you on the show floor.
P.S. I’m excited to invite you to two great events at the JCK show: On Friday, June 1, at 5 p.m., join us for a champagne toast to celebrate our first JCK Rock Star, Walter Adler Chefitz, at the entrance to the Design Center (Shoreline Level). And on Sunday, June 3, stop by Bungalow 4 during the JCK Rocks the Beach bash for our first-ever JCK Tweetup, where the week’s social chatter culminates in a party with our editors!