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6 Out of 10 Jewelers Surveyed Say They Will Attend a Trade Show in 2021

Many are fully vaccinated and ready to see jewelry in person.

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Question: Do you plan to attend an in-person trade event in 2021?

Yes: 61%

  • Atlanta — went in March, wore masks, had both shots, will go in October as well. — Gene Arthur, Arthur’s Jewelry, Reidsville, NC
  • We’re planning to attend JCK in Vegas in August. Everyone attending from our store will be vaccinated, so I think everyone is feeling comfortable with the prospect. We continue to follow mask guidance and would feel most comfortable being surrounded by other people wearing masks, especially in scenarios where we can’t maintain social distance. — Lucy Conklin, Toner Jewelers, Overland Park, KS
  • I will go to ANY SHOW that’s open and wants to do business — I will do RJO shows and JCK shows for sure. — Jeff Nacol Turnbo, Nacol’s Jewelry, Wichita Falls, TX
  • The Atlanta Jewelry Show in March. Not ready to fly yet, so I won’t be attending the RJO show or JCK. — Donnie Blanton, Brittany’s Fine Jewelry, Gainesville, FL
  • We’re fully vaccinated, so not as worried and may attend the JCK Show in Las Vegas. But we will still mask up and wash hands. The funny thing about this pandemic: We’ve not had a single cold or sinus infection in a year and a half (even though we work with customers every day)! — Beth Cevasco, Scott’s Custom Jewelers, Dublin, OH
  • Kansas IJO Show — I need the reinvigoration of the training, people, and product. — Valerie Goodwin, Vaughan’s Jewelry, Edenton, NC
  • Cincinnati RJO! I gotta get away and will be fully vaccinated by then. — Gregory Fliegauf, Fliegauf Jewelers, Washington, NJ
  • I will be going to the IJO show. I will decide on JCK last minute. I don’t have worries about walking the show, I just don’t know if I will need to go to both shows with them being so close together. — Christopher Sarich, Noah Gabriel & Co. Jewelers, Wexford, PA
  • We are required to attend CBG in October and are excited to go. If not for the required attendance, we would likely wait it out until next spring. Glad this is forcing us back into the trade show world. — Joy Thollot, Thollot Diamonds & Fine Jewelry, Thornton, CO
  • Our buying group show is in August, so we’re hoping that the majority of people have been vaccinated. If not … staying home. — David Lindsay, Purdy’s Jewellery & Gems, Bobcaygeon, ON
  • Bring on Vegas!! That being said, I am extremely excited about the AGS Conclave this year … either way, we will be fully vaccinated and ready to roll. I most look forward to seeing industry friends (the jewelry is a close second). — Melissa Quick, Steve Quick Jeweler, Chicago, IL
  • RJO in Cincinnati!!! Maybe the JCK in August? Yes, very much looking forward to being able to handle the items, seeing them in person and stretching the legs out and seeing friends that we haven’t since this all started! — Paul Krueger, Krueger Jeweler, Fort Atkinson, WI
  • IJO, RJO, Luxury and JCK. By the time the shows roll around, I will already be vaccinated and am really looking forward to seeing old friends and learning how they fared during the past year. — Jon Walp, Long Jewelers, Virginia Beach, VA
  • Visited Atlanta and felt safe. Protocols in place and enforced, creating a showroom conducive to the dynamic of our industry’s integral exchange of product, knowledge and professional fellowship. — Denise Oros, Linnea Jewelers, La Grange, IL
  • We will probably wait until late summer to attend a show with the hope that the numbers will be more positive and a greater percentage of the population will be vaccinated. — Lee Krombholz, Krombholz Jewelers, Cincinnati, OH
  • AGTA/JCK — and the only thoughts I have are, it would be nice to get back to normal, so bring. it. on. — Sandra Locken, Sarini Fine Jewellery, Vulcan, AB
  • Only IJO in Kansas City. I’m afraid August is not the optimal month to entice me to go to Las Vegas. — Casey Gallant, Stephen Gallant Jewelers, Orleans, MA
  • CBG, RJO and Atlanta. I have no issues attending shows. I wear a mask. Wash my hands and behave the way that I’ve been safe the last 12 months over the counter in my store. I believe we need to be mindful and respectful of Covid but adapt and move forward. — Heather Wahl, R.C. Wahl Jewelers, Des Plaines, IL

No: 39%

  • Don’t want to be around that many people. Perhaps 2022. Last year proved to me that we made it just fine with the vendor mix we have. If I needed to fill holes, I called and ordered. There is no need to go to a trade show unless someone is looking for new vendors. I’m hoping technology is developing so that we can view new vendors’ merchandise without going to a trade show! — Tom Duma, Thom Duma Fine Jewelers, Warren, OH
  • It’s a good excuse not to have to travel right now. The shows make me work too hard! — Natasha Henderson, Saxon’s Fine Jewelers, Bend, OR
  • When I can finally travel, no way I am spending time in trade halls making deals. I will be in the wild places. — Jo Goralski, The Jewelry Mechanic, Oconomowoc, WI
  • We did better without our attendance at shows. Vendors come to us. — Andrea Riso, Talisman Collection, El Dorado Hills, CA
  • I’m not afraid to travel or be amongst people, I just don’t plan on it this year for other reasons. — Julie Terwilliger, Wexford Jewelers, Cadillac, MI
  • Staff is too small, not enough coverage. — Mary Jo Chanski, Hannoush Jewelers, Rutland, VT
  • We’re taking a wait-and-see attitude. — Steven Wardle, Forest Beach Design, Chatham, MA
  • We have been inundated with manufacturers wanting us to take their merchandise in on memo. Pay for it as we sell it. — Frank Salinardi, Linardi’s Jewelers, Plantation, FL
  • Oh, yeah, let’s go to a large group gathering where sales reps will hover over you like a helicopter parent on the first day of school, turning the day into a super-spreader event, and I will pay to attend … I don’t think so. I think trade shows as they used to be are a thing of the past, and I will not miss them. — James Doggett, Doggett Jewelry, Kingston, NH
  • They are not worth it. — Craig C. Curtis, Belfast Jewelry, Belfast, ME
  • Still not ready to mix and mingle. — Rosanne Kroen, Rosanne’s Diamonds & Gold, South Bend, IN

What’s the Brain Squad?

If you’re the owner or top manager of a U.S. jewelry store, you’re invited to join the INSTORE Brain Squad. By taking one five-minute quiz a month, you can get a free t-shirt, be featured prominently in this magazine, and make your voice heard on key issues affecting the jewelry industry. Good deal, right? Sign up here.

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