(TORONTO, Canada July 28) - - - Canada's leading jewellery trade event, JCK Toronto, is just around the corner for the Canadian retail jewellery community, Sun. Aug. 8 - Tues. Aug. 10 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre's North Building. Created exclusively for the Canadian marketplace, JCK Toronto has renewed itself by enhancing the Canadian retailer experience with increased networking opportunities, timely educational sessions on the show floor and the presence of over 150 designers, manufacturers and suppliers.
JCK Toronto will take a look at the future of the Canadian diamond marketplace through the eyes of its most influential players. "The Future of the Canadian Diamond Industry" panel discussion will be moderated by Bhushan Vora, Gem Star Inc. and Diamond Bourse of Toronto. Panelists include: Ron Gashinski, Director/Chief Gemologist, Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry; Dylan Dix, Marketing Director, HRA Group of Companies; Christine Mednis, Senior Account Manager, Royal Bank of Canada; and Tom Ormsby, Director External & Corporate Affairs, De Beers.
The HRA Group of Companies, including Crossworks Manufacturing and SGI, will host a diamond polishing event that will provide an intriguing demonstration of diamonds that are mined, cut and polished in Ontario. Showcasing the importance and excitement for Canadian diamonds, a 70cts necklace made up of 25 rough diamonds will be on display. Designed by Reena Ahluwalia and manufactured by Jeff Miller, the piece was commissioned by the HRA Group of Companies to celebrate diamonds that originated from the De Beers Canada Victor Mine and the development of a secondary diamond industry in Ontario.
This year's educational sessions begin with an opening keynote by Shane Decker, from Ex-SELL-Ence, on "Advanced Strategies to Increase Closing Ratios." The sessions continue with educational tracks on the show floor organized into the following business-building categories: Business; Merchandising & Technology; Marketing; Color & Fashion; Manufacturing.
JCK Toronto's educational sessions will also tap into other hot demographic issues such as attracting the female self-purchaser, social media and using video for social media engagement with consumers and a fresh look at generational marketing. "In addition we have a session on enhanced colorless, pink and yellow diamonds and how to identify them. There's a lot of interest in diamonds right now, particularly in Canada, and the bridal category remains healthy which is good for retailers" said John Tierney, Event Director, JCK Toronto.
Top industry leaders will be holding sessions where they teach valuable skills and pass on secrets that are important for the jewellery marketplace. Adam Graham, Marketing Director for American Gemological Trade Association will be presenting a seminar on how to attract more customers by adding colored gemstones into your marketing mix. Becka Johnson Kibby, from The Q Report, will present retailers with information and tips on how to enhance the customer's experience taking a view from all angles to build and inspire loyalty and referrals. Part of the customer's shopping experience includes a healthy dose of Romance, which is imperative in driving business in the diamond jewellery industry.
Abe Sherman, Buyers International Group will hold a session on managing inventory and cash flow. Sherman will offer ways that retailers can make strategic decisions on buying and merchandising by taking the guess work out of managing a store's performance with fluid cash flow.
For unique and one-of-a-kind product offerings, JCK Toronto will present the Design Centre. The Design Centre at JCK Toronto will provide a warm, inviting environment for a small selection of designer-owned companies with similar artistic, product and marketing missions. The goal is to offer retail buyers an organized and varied assortment of inspired, designer collections and designs.
JCK Toronto is part of the global network of JCK Events and is supported by the Canadian Jewellers Association with additional support from these media partners: JCK Magazine, Jewellery Business Magazine, Canadian Jeweller and Rapaport.
"We are particularly excited about this year's event, but based on the recent surge we have seen in our pre-registration I think it is safe to say that the Canadian jewelry industry is also excited," said Tierney. "JCK Toronto is staying true to the promise of re-inventing itself and for the buyer's the re-invention provides a great opportunity to enhance their businesses through visiting with leading manufacturers and designers along with access to leading educational programming, networking and special events. We look forward to seeing everyone in Toronto this August."
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ABOUT JCK EVENTS:
JCK Toronto will be held August 8-10, 2010 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre's North Building. JCK Las Vegas 2011 will take place on June 3-6 with LUXURY by JCK, to take place May 31-June 2, 2011 (preceding JCK Las Vegas) and Swiss Watch by JCK, to be held June 2-6, 2011 at its new venue - Mandalay Bay. The series of JCK Events are designed to serve the worldwide jewelry industry by offering the most comprehensive and complete buying and selling opportunities on a business-to-business basis. For more information on any of the international JCK Events or to view the event's image and video galleries, please visit us at www.jckshows.com or simply call 1-800-257-3626.