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JCK Attendance Up 8% in 2023
The crowd enjoyed a mix of annual favorite trade show features and new additions this year.
The attendee count for JCK 2023, recorded at 18,000, increased by 8 percent from 2022.
Norwalk, Conn.–This year’s Las Vegas JCK show, operated by RX, reported an attendee count of 18,000, an increase of 8 percent from 2022, which had already surpassed pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
The diverse group of attendees and exhibitors represented over 100 countries.
From all facets of the industry, a total of more than 30,000 industry professionals joined JCK and Luxury, held at The Venetian and The Venetian Expo.
The 1,900 exhibiting companies sold out the show floor, occupying 430,000 net square feet in more than 20 different show floor neighborhoods.
Luxury was open May 31-June 5, including the invite-only retailer days May 31 and June 1.
JCK was held June 2-5, with the return of GEMS with AGTA Las Vegas opening June 1.
"It was another incredibly energetic and successful year for JCK. The increased attendance coupled with new show branding, engaging activations, innovative experiences, and enhanced education and networking received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both attendees and exhibitors,” said Sarin Bachmann, group vice president of the RX jewelry portfolio.
“Our goal was to create an event that everyone looks forward to, in addition to needing to attend for your business, and we accomplished that and more."
The JCK Talks program, the educational arm of the show, also opened June 1, holding special sessions located in the Level 1 meeting rooms.
Like the year before, the program was grouped in daily general themes that included hot topics; trends; marketing; diversity, equity, and inclusion; sustainability; retail experiences; and innovation. Across these categories, over 60 sessions were featured.
Many sessions were recorded and are available to watch on-demand for a limited time for JCK PRO badge holders.
During open show dates, sessions featured expert speakers and panel discussions and were held live in the new “Innovation Hub” area, the dedicated spot for exploring the latest market technologies, hands-on demos, and engaging educational sessions.
Others were held on the “Social Stage,” a new addition to JCK in 2023, where digital strategists, content creators, and influencers provided 30-minute sessions with actionable tips and tricks for content creation, social media engagement, and standing out on social platforms.
"These initiatives created a focused area on the show floor dedicated to showcasing what's next and what's trending for the future of innovation in the jewelry and retail industries. The response to the Social Stage was overwhelmingly positive, with a significant turnout and enthusiastic reception," said Bachmann.
JCK and Luxury also once again welcomed keynote speakers to open the show. The first keynote session on May 31 featured Notre Dame icon Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger followed by retired Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes on June 1.
The JCK Keynote on June 3 featured Johnny Cupcakes in a session called “Creating Customer Obsession & Memorable Experiences with Limited Resources.” It was sponsored by GCAL by Sarine.
First introduced last year, "Activations & Instagrammable Moments” returned to the show, with highlights including an all-new hologram that showcased 3D content and offered live interactive experiences. A popular permanent jewelry bracelet activation sponsored by Stuller was also available for retailers to experience firsthand this concept while receiving their own complimentary permanent bracelet.
“The energy at JCK 2023 was the best we’ve felt in years. Outlook was positive and our customers were optimistic about the rest of the year. It was wonderful to reconnect with so many of our friends and customers in the industry,” said Morgan Waters, executive director of marketing services & events at Stuller.
This year, JCK continued to focus on the cultivation of inclusion and diversity throughout the event. Organizers said the show had “a notable presence of emerging BIPOC designers, brand features, dedicated JCK Talks tracks focused on DEI, and specialized education sessions.”
The Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC) showcased the BIJC Collective at JCK, thanks to grant funding from the JCK Industry Fund, giving a platform to Black designers.
It included six Black-owned brands exhibiting jewelry and loose gemstones: Dorian Webb, Deinté Fine Jewelry, James Mack Fine Jewelry, KuQala Diamonds, Nungu Diamonds, and Simone I. Smith.
"Thanks to the JCK Industry Fund, we were able to make this happen for two consecutive years, giving these designers the exposure they deserve," said BIJC President Annie Doresca.
Across from BIJC, The Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) featured six emerging graduate designers from WJA's Jewelry Loupe Project in the first-ever JCK Design Collective booth.
The designers featured were Isabel Dennis, Soojin Kim, Patty Lauritzen, Rachel Weld Newton, Alexis Pavlantos and Constance Polamalu.
WJA also hosted its annual "WJA Generating Community Breakfast" on Friday, June 2, with a special focus on disability inclusion in the jewelry and watch industry.
Also shedding light on up-and-coming individuals, The Natural Diamond Council's (NDC) 2023 Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative (EDDI) participants—Amina Sorel, Bernard James, Gwen Beloti, Jessenia Landrum, Rosario Navia, and Ymoné Currie—showcased their collections at NDC's Luxury private ballroom.
The EDDI program was created in 2021 by NDC and jewelry designer Lorraine Schwartz to provide Black, Indigenous, and People of Color designers unparalleled access to education, opportunities, and resources.
Fan favorite show event, JCK Rocks, also returned to the show. It featured Andy Grammer this year.
Grammer is a multi-platinum singer, songwriter and record producer with hits like “Honey, I’m Good,” “Keep Your Head Up,” and “Fine by Me”. Concertgoers also got to see electric string quartet, Phat Strand, and after the performance, the resident Hakkasan Nightclub DJ ended the night spinning tunes for the crowded dance floor. JCK Rocks Headline Sponsor was Brosway Italia.
JCK 2024 will take place May 31-June 3 at The Venetian Expo & The Venetian.
JCK has announced that HKJMA has signed a long-term agreement with JCK for their Hong Kong pavilion, which will move to the Level 1 Ballrooms starting in 2024 instead of the Level 1 exhibit hall where it was located in 2023.
Hong Kong, along with GEMS featuring AGTA, and JCK Talks, will open a day early on May 30.
Luxury will run May 29-June 3, with by-invitation-only dates on May 29 and 30.
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