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5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026
This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
Being vigilant while out at casinos and restaurants are two of the tips the Jewelers’ Security Alliance shared ahead of Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026.
Las Vegas—The annual run of jewelry trade shows is set to kick off Thursday in Las Vegas.
Prior to the shows, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance’s weekly email crime alert featured a list of safety tips for exhibitors and retailers.
It included advice on managing booth traffic and storing merchandise overnight, and advised against doing business off the show floor, such as in hotel rooms and parking garages.
On Tuesday, National Jeweler spoke with JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky about which items on the list concern him most heading into Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026.
Here are five takeaways from our conversation.
1. Be vigilant after leaving the show floor.
Guginsky credited the organizers of both Couture and JCK Las Vegas for stepping up security, making it harder to gain access to the show floor without a proper badge.
What worries him is what could potentially happen after hours.
Guginsky is concerned about exhibitors and jewelers being followed when they leave the shows.
He advised everyone not to use any unmarked car services and to always ride with a licensed city of Las Vegas taxicab or, even better, app ride services like Uber and Lyft.
Guginsky also said people need to be vigilant of their surroundings when they are in restaurants and casinos at night.
After the shows, people may attend one (or more than one) cocktail party and then, “People just get lazy and they put their briefcases and put their pocketbooks down,” he said.
Bags and purses left under or hung off the back of a chair at the blackjack table or slot machine are easy targets for thieves.
2. Don’t make yourself an obvious target.
Exhibitors and show attendees should take their badges off as soon as they leave the show floor and should not tell people they do not know that they are in town for the jewelry shows.
Lost badges need to be reported immediately so they can be deactivated.
Guginsky also advised people to think twice about what they wear out at night and to not flash high-end jewelry or luxury watches.
Teams of professional pickpockets, some of whom can slip a Rolex off a person’s wrist without them knowing, target large-scale events like Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week.
“Pickpocket teams love events like this, they love casinos,” Guginsky said. “The criminals know what’s going on here this week.”
Related stories will be right here …
Prior to the shows, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance’s weekly email crime alert featured a list of safety tips for exhibitors and retailers.
It included advice on managing booth traffic and storing merchandise overnight, and advised against doing business off the show floor, such as in hotel rooms and parking garages.
On Tuesday, National Jeweler spoke with JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky about which items on the list concern him most heading into Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026.
Here are five takeaways from our conversation.
1. Be vigilant after leaving the show floor.
Guginsky credited the organizers of both Couture and JCK Las Vegas for stepping up security, making it harder to gain access to the show floor without a proper badge.
What worries him is what could potentially happen after hours.
Guginsky is concerned about exhibitors and jewelers being followed when they leave the shows.
He advised everyone not to use any unmarked car services and to always ride with a licensed city of Las Vegas taxicab or, even better, app ride services like Uber and Lyft.
Guginsky also said people need to be vigilant of their surroundings when they are in restaurants and casinos at night.
After the shows, people may attend one (or more than one) cocktail party and then, “People just get lazy and they put their briefcases and put their pocketbooks down,” he said.
Bags and purses left under or hung off the back of a chair at the blackjack table or slot machine are easy targets for thieves.
2. Don’t make yourself an obvious target.
Exhibitors and show attendees should take their badges off as soon as they leave the show floor and should not tell people they do not know that they are in town for the jewelry shows.
Lost badges need to be reported immediately so they can be deactivated.
Guginsky also advised people to think twice about what they wear out at night and to not flash high-end jewelry or luxury watches.
Teams of professional pickpockets, some of whom can slip a Rolex off a person’s wrist without them knowing, target large-scale events like Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week.
“Pickpocket teams love events like this, they love casinos,” Guginsky said. “The criminals know what’s going on here this week.”
3. Don’t do this one common thing.
Guginsky said show attendees should keep their hotel room key card separate from the paper sleeve it comes in, as the number to the room is usually written on the sleeve.
For those who worry about forgetting their room number, it is advised they enter it into their phone, write it down on a piece of paper, or take a picture of the sleeve.
4. Use this technology.
The Apple AirTag, which costs $29, is an inexpensive way to track personal items using Bluetooth technology.
Guginsky recommended buying one or more and putting them in valuable items you want to keep track of, like purses, briefcases, and suitcases.
5. Report any suspicious activity.
“If you see something, say something” was a phrase that originated with New York City’s subway system after 9/11, and it applies during Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week too.
Guginsky said if somebody is not wearing a badge, or the badge they are wearing doesn’t seem to match them, it needs to be reported to show personnel.
“The extra eyes help us when something is not right,” he said.
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