MORE serious buying activity and better-quality visitor traffic despite a significant drop in participants from mainland China were among the highlights at one of Hong Kong’s major trade shows.
The seven-day Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, known as the September Fair, took place at AsiaWorld-Expo where diamonds, coloured gemstones and pearls were showcased until September 20.
Finished jewellery collections, tools and equipment, and industry-related technologies were also presented at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre section of the fair from September 18 to 22.
“What’s happening in Hong Kong now and the uncertainties in the global economy are affecting us in a certain way,” said David Bondi, senior vice president – Asia at Informa Markets.
“Visitor turnout was down but traffic quality was up. We did receive positive compliments from exhibitors and high-quality visitors who engaged in serious trading at the show,” Bondi said.
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Visitor numbers from China saw the biggest drop compared with the previous year, while Japan, Israel and other markets recorded an increase in buyer turnout. Professional buyers also made the most out of their trip by spending more time at the show compared to previous editions.
Bondi said that as the biggest and the last global jewellery sourcing event of the year, the September Fair was an integral part of the industry and for many companies.
“They use the fair as launchpads for their new collections, products and services, which account for a year’s worth of work and promotions from our customers’ side,” he said. “This only serves to reaffirm our strong commitment to deliver the September Fair to the industry.”
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Celine Lau, director of Jewellery Fairs at Informa Markets, said buyers gave positive feedback to the show and appreciated how it was an important event for their industry.
First-time visitor Ludmila Placido, of Brazil-based M. Frazao Atelier, said: “I think this show is the biggest in the world. There is more product variety here compared to other fairs.”
Professional buyer Nicolas Kriukov of Chile-based DELPHISK said he was amazed by the event. “There are a lot of gemstones at this show, and I have never seen anything quite like it,” Kriukov said.
The September Fair drew visitors from around the world including buyer delegations from South America, China, Poland, Russia and Vietnam.
