February 27-29, 2016 Atlanta Jewelry Show Shines Spotlight On

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press contact: Suzanne Pruitt
678.285.0307 | [email protected]
ATLANTA JEWELRY SHOW MARKET REPORT
February 27-29, 2016 Atlanta Jewelry Show Shines Spotlight On New Resources,
Business Growth Opportunities; Records Attendance Increase
ATLANTA (March 3, 2016) -- Held
February 27-29, 2016 at the Cobb
Galleria Centre, the Atlanta Jewelry Show
recorded a 2 percent increase in
attendance over the 2015 spring edition.
Contributing to the attendance uptick,
record participation in the show’s
“Welcome Atlanta” hosted buyer
program came together with the addition
of 30+ first-time, new exhibitors to the
versatile show roster; countless new
product and line introductions; and new
educational and business resources to
bring a spirit of optimism and energy to
the show floor.
“We are constantly working to reinvent
and refresh the Atlanta Jewelry Show’s
offerings to make sure that it is providing
new designs, new ideas and the new tools retailers need to keep their own stores relevant and top of mind for
their customer base,” explains Carol Young, executive director, Southern Jewelry Travelers Association (SJTA),
producers and managers of the semi-annual Atlanta Jewelry Show. “The positive reception we received to our
‘Welcome Atlanta’ invitations, our expanding Loupe Buyers Group resources, and the great feedback we’ve heard
from many of our first-time buyers and exhibitors alike, all confirm we’re delivering on our promise.”
Through the Welcome Atlanta program, vendors recommend qualified jewelers who have either never been to the
show or have not attended in the last three years . The February show’s hosted buyers came from throughout the
Southeastern US and beyond, including Texas and Maryland.
NEW RESOURCES. NEW CUSTOMERS.
These buyers and others attending the three-day
show had the chance to explore the newest
offerings and introductions from 350 exhibiting
companies in every jewelry category.
“I came in search of pearls, precious metals, and a
laser. I found all three and a great new CAD
resource,” said Stacy Robinson, dba Stacy
Robinson Studios, Duluth, GA. “The selection
exceeded my expectations and everyone was so
friendly and helpful.”
Exhibitors responded favorably to the show traffic
and retail profile they saw during the February
show.
“We set our product releases around the Atlanta Jewelry Show,” explains Katie Sacko, Marketing Manager, Cargo
Hold, which expanded its booth space to showcase the debut of the new Southern Gates® Spring Collection and
new Cargo™ leather bracelets. “Our designs are of the south and all about the south -- so this show is so
important for us. We’ve been very happy to see our current customers and open new accounts, too.”
“We were looking to find a market that catered to the independent, mom and pop retailer audience,” explains
first-time exhibitor Michael Hujara, DogFever, on why the company chose the Atlanta Jewelry Show to introduce
its creative, fun, dog-inspired jewelry designs to the Southeastern market. “This show has offered a great way to
bring our line to an audience seeking new and different designs.”
“We are a family-run business specializing in one-of-a-kind estate jewelry,” adds another first-time exhibitor, Ryan
Little, W. Fine Jewelry. “We’ve been pleased with the exposure, traffic and new business we’ve gotten here at the
show.”
NEW TOOLS FOR BUSINESS GROWTH.
In addition to jewelry designs, retailers had access to
a number of new business development tools and
educational opportunities. Located on the show
floor, the Loupe Pavilion offered a casual, relaxed
setting for buyers to talk with vendor partners
participating in the new Loupe program. Quickly
doubling the program’s membership since its launch
at the August 2015 show, attendees had the chance
to join The Loupe during the February show to
immediately enjoy discounted rates and special
pricing from Loupe Vendor partners on a range of
services, including jewelry photography, merchant
credit card processing, marketing and more. In
addition, Stuller Inc. hosted live demonstrations in
the Pavilion on settings, polishing, resin and more.
“We do 14 trade shows a year and always appreciate the efforts of the Atlanta Jewelry Show management team to
make us and our customers feel welcome and supported,” added Gary Paresky, Stuller, Inc.
The popular AJS U education program also
offered a full line-up of programs touching
on everything from shopper trends and
social media to visual merchandising and
security tips. Among the most popular
programs, the “Engagements” Panel
discussions, moderated by Kathy Beall, K.
Beall Associates, expanded from one to two
sessions this February. Focusing on
suppliers and services, the first session
included panelists David Rocha, Jewelers
For Children; Tim Roark, TR Imports; Terry
Chandler, Diamond Council of America;
Robert Loving, Time Delay; Matthew
Tratner, Jewelers of America (JA).
Touching on a wide range of retail issues,
the second program featured retailers Chuck Koehler, Anthony Jewelers, Nashville, TN; Harris Botnick,
Worthmore Jewelers, Atlanta, GA; Freda Gibbs, Arnold’s Jewelry, Shelby, NC; Jared Nadler, Levy’s Fine Jewelry,
Birmingham, AL; Mark Bishop, Bishop’s Jewelry, Donalsonville & Cairo, GA.
Designed to motivate and inspire, another session, “What’s Your ROH | Return On Happiness, ” led by JoAnna
Brandi, Joanna Brandi & Company, covered ways retailers can create “authentic happiness” in their workplace.
“This was the best seminar of the weekend,” said Allan Altman, Altman Appraisals, Dallas, GA. “I left happy!”
NEW TALENTS, NETWORKING & MINGLING
The February edition was also filled with other
events and programs – all designed to enhance
networking, business and personal growth
opportunities.
th
Among the highlights was the 13 Annual Student
Design Competition co-hosted by the Atlanta
Jewelry Show and the Savannah College of Art &
Design (SCAD) and co-sponsored by Stuller. Entries
were showcased on the exhibition floor and the
talented students were recognized during a special
awards presentation on Sunday, February 28.
Winners were chosen in 4 categories. EARRINGS – Kaitlyn Taylor,
st
nd
rd
1 place; Anna Tinkelenberg, 2 place, Caroline Lozak, 3 place.
st
nd
NECKLACES– Hannah Hash, 1 place; Krista Wagner, 2 place;
st
Anna Stoner, 3rd place; RINGS: Arielle Routhier, 1 place;
nd
rd
Jennifer Lee Hallsey, 2 place; Cassidy Terry, 3 place;
st
nd
BROACHES: Qiuting Wang , 1 place; Monica Varela, 2 place;
rd
Seung Jeon Paik, 3 place. In addition, Hannah Hash won the
“Best In Show’ award voted on by show attendees.
On the networking front, the show’s Club Elite members were
treated to a fresh new design for the member lounge. Open to all
buyers who earn 15,000 AJS Reward Points or more at any one of
the past three shows (points earned based on show orders), the
exclusive lounge features free breakfast, lunch and refreshments ,
plentiful seating and meeting space for members.
Pictured: Jason LeMaire, Stuller, Inc., Hannah Hash, 'Best in Show
winner' and Carol Young, Executive Director, SJTA
The show’s popular, nightly Mingle!
gatherings also returned to the
Renaissance Waverly Hotel Lobby , giving
buyers and exhibitors the chance to enjoy
drinks and hors d’oeuvres, relax and
unwind after the show closed each
evening.
“This was my first visit to the Atlanta
Jewelry Show and I have been impressed
with the friendliness and hospitality,” said
Darlene Jernigan, Diamonds, Dreams &
More, Roanoke Rapids, NC.
“It’s just the ‘best feeling’ show,” adds
Terri Hurley, Bo’s Jewelry & Pawn,
Sikeston, MO. “Being so comfortable here makes it easy for me to do my job!”
The next edition of the Atlanta Jewelry Show is scheduled for August 6-8, 2016. For more information visit
www.atlantajewelryshow.com or call 1.800.241.0399.
ABOUT SJTA
Now in its 66th year, the Southern Jewelry Travelers Association is the nation’s oldest association for
independent jewelry representatives and the official sponsor and producer of the Atlanta Jewelry Show. For
more information-- visit www.atlantajewelryshow.com; email: [email protected]; phone:
1.800.241.0399 or 404.634.3434.
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