As you brace yourself for the holidays, know that they’ll be here and gone in a flash. (Is that what you want to hear after all that planning? Perhaps not.) Still, there’s much to look forward to in the new year, and the annual JCK Tucson jewelry show is no exception. If you’re a jewelry designer or manufacturer, you may be familiar with the show already as either an exhibitor or attendee. If not, I’ve got some stories that may make you want to be one of those things.
I live in Washington, D.C., where the winters get pretty cold and the skies are often gray through March—maybe even later. So a trip to sunny Tucson sounds really darn good in February—and that’s my excuse to want to be there. (Well, that coupled with the jewelry, obviously.) There’s a long list of jewelry brands that have experienced the show and continue to go back (the ones you’ll read about are returning exhibitors for 2018), and I wanted to know why. So, I asked—and they answered! Their responses helped me to craft this diary of sorts, a retelling of the best moments, memories, and success stories of those who have journeyed to Tucson and back. (I mean they must go for more than great weather and vistas, right?!) Without further ado, here they are.
Dana Bronfman, Dana Bronfman Jewelry
“There are so many reasons I love Tucson and exhibiting at the JCK show. The trip is worth it for the breathtaking views from the JW Marriott alone. From beginning the day hiking amongst the Saguaro cacti and watching the sunrise to a morning sage ceremony, to exhibiting amongst a small, curated group of exceptional designers, to firelight evenings surrounded by my jewelry people, the passionate energy of Tucson is unparalleled. The desert spirit and landscape energizes and inspires me, as do all of the amazing people I have gotten to know through Tucson, where I have forged both business and true friendships.”
“Tucson is the only show I have done where I feel like my brand does not get lost. Exhibiting there allowed me to pick up many accounts, including some of the first-ever stores at my first Tucson in 2015. This felt like my break into the industry, and it has been an instrumental jumping off point for where my business is today.”
(Courtesy Dana Bronfman)
Alexis Barbeau, Alexis Barbeau Designs
“I am a one-girl/goldsmith show here. For years I have done retail art shows and worked custom designs for clients. Going to Tucson gives me the chance to try and meet stores and expand my presence in the industry so as to grow my business. Getting to meet and network with other designers like myself is an enlivening experience. We all seem to share the same stress, worries, and excitement over our businesses. That is an eye-opener!”
Anit Dodhia, Kaali Designs
“For me personally, the Tucson location is great—just a short drive from San Diego and the weather is great. Each year as I drive into town, I don’t know what it is, but it’s like I feel something in the air. I feel energized and know a good time awaits! Droves of people are drawn to the many shows taking place in Tucson, but somehow everyone gravitates to the same few places in the evening, where we share our gem and jewelry treasure-hunting stories over dinner and drinks (and dancing, if that’s your thing!).”
“I go to the Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) event every year. (I am one of a handful of male members.) I go to meet up with my friends and also to network. If you aren’t a WJA member, I would highly recommend you consider becoming one! I also really enjoy hanging out with industry friends who I’ve met over the years in New York, Las Vegas, and Tucson. I recommend enjoying the band and a couple of cocktails by the fireside in the main bar at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort.”
“JCK Tucson is a great show to exhibit. The setting is not so overwhelming, but intimate and warm. Kaali Designs was very fortunate to have opened a few new accounts last year, and we are confident that we’ll have success again this year. The show is well organized and brings together the best of the best in the industry. Electronic marketing is great, but I’m so much better face-to-face. I love having the opportunity to meet the owner of or a buyer for a gallery in person, tell them about my line, lay my pieces out in front of them, and watch their reaction. In my opinion, this is the best way to begin to grow a relationship with a client.” 
(Courtesy Anit Dodhia)
Keiko Mita, K. Mita Designs
“It certainly was nice getting away from New York’s winter weather, and the setting in the mountains was beautiful. We especially enjoyed the different plant and animal life during a morning walk. While it was a bit isolated from the other shows, we believe that people who took the time to go were serious buyers. We spent one extra day and visited a couple of amazing gem shows that we had wanted to do for a long time. Unlike many wholesale shows, the intimate space made it easy to find jewelers and fostered a boutique atmosphere. For those who stayed at the hotel, it was an excellent networking opportunity. We landed a trunk show and subsequent purchase when we found a retailer hanging out by the fire pits one evening! The relaxed atmosphere made it easier to talk to people and to build relationships.”
Aaron Henry, Aaron Henry Designs
“Tucson conjures up so many favorites: weather, food, gems and jewelry, and especially the vibe. It has this great small-town feel but with so much to offer, especially in February when the JCK show and other gem shows take over the city.”
“I always look forward to breakfasts at The Little One and dinners of carne seca, machaca, and margaritas with friends from all across the industry spectrum. Finding new restaurants like The Coronet and revisiting classics like Maynards at the train depot (and so many more).”
“I plan for at least two sunrise trail runs behind the JW Marriott among the saguaro cacti and ocotillo plants, and most evenings sharing a drink on the Salud terrace at sunset before heading downtown to catch some music at the Hotel Congress or the Rialto and Fox theaters.”
“The collection in one place of jewelry designers, gemstone cutters, and miners themselves is unparalleled in our industry. It’s a great time and place to gather inspiration and ideas, catch up with old friends, and start the year off on a high note.”
(Courtesy Aaron Henry)
Lex Atencio, John Atencio
“JCK Tucson marked our first return to the show arena in 10 years, and it was the perfect atmosphere and venue to see old faces as well as start new relationships. We were so pleased with the connections we made: The intimate setting provided the perfect stage to showcase our extensive John Atencio collections. John [Atencio] enjoyed the intimate fireside chat, where he could speak about his 40-plus years in the industry to both new and familiar faces.”
Martha Seely, Martha Seely Designs
“Last year, we arrived early and spent a day wine tasting at a vineyard outside of Tucson. That blew my mind—wine in Arizona. But it was decent wine and it was really fun to find the vineyard and taste. I will probably do it again this year. We also really enjoyed the airplane graveyard in Tucson. Very cool planes, planes, and more planes. You can take a ride through the graveyard and then walk through the museum. I had never seen anything like it.”
“I love the show because it is intimate and filled with beautiful work. The resort is such a nice venue, whether you stay there or not. It’s a more laid-back attitude than in Las Vegas, and often buyers have a little more time to spend with you. They are in Tucson for the gem shows and the JCK Show, and to play golf and enjoy the sunshine in the middle of winter.”
“Last year was wonderful to reconnect with designers and press friends as well as buyers. A group of us who all met several years back even planned a dinner together. It is a wonderful place to get to know one another better.”
“I am going again for 2018 because—in addition to the Arizona weather and seeing industry friends—I have a new collection I am going to showcase. I am excited!”
Nina Nguyen, Nina Nguyen Designs
“Everyone is in Tucson during this time of the year—it is a big jewelry week for the industry. We’ve been looking to exhibit in Tucson for years, and we’re glad we went with JCK three years ago. (This is going to be our fourth year.) We didn’t feel the other show was a good fit for our brand; some of the shows are very high-end and some are not. Like all of the trade shows we attend, we want our buyer to feel the fun and comfortable atmosphere. We are a mid-range fashion brand and find that JCK Tucson brings plenty of traffic to the show for us to work with.”
“I am very much looking forward to coming back for another successful show, as well as for my morning hike with my industry friends, catching up with my retailers about their holiday, and ending my evening with a Manhattan cocktail while watching the sunset with live music and marshmallows on the fireplace.”
To learn more about JCK Tucson and to register, visit jcktucson.com.
(Top image courtesy Dana Bronfman)