Events & Awards

US Trade Shows Push On Amid Coronavirus Fears

Events & AwardsMar 05, 2020

US Trade Shows Push On Amid Coronavirus Fears

The upcoming jewelry trade shows in New York as well as those set to take place during Las Vegas Market Week will all go on as scheduled.

20200305_JCK_Las_Vegas_Show.jpg
JCK Las Vegas will go on as planned, scheduled to take place June 2 to 5. Trade show organizers have had to proceed with caution in the wake of the coronavirus.

New York—As of Wednesday, the COVID-19 coronavirus has infected more than 90,000 people across 77 countries including the United States, according to the latest update from the World Health Organization.

As the virus continues to spread, officials worldwide have been taking precautions to contain it, including school closures in China, Hong Kong, Italy and Japan, and additional screening measures in airports.

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a half a percentage point Tuesday, its first unscheduled, emergency rate cut since the 2008 financial crisis, in light of concerns the coronavirus could be detrimental to the U.S. economy.

In the watches and jewelry world, a handful of large trade shows have been postponed or cancelled in an effort to contain the spread, including Baselworld and SIHH in Switzerland, and the March Hong Kong show.

But organizers behind upcoming shows in the U.S., including those in Las Vegas, say they have no plans to call off their shows as of right now.

The March edition of the Atlanta Jewelry Show will go on as scheduled, taking place March 7-9 at the Cobb Galleria Centre, with a pre-show conference to be held March 6.

“We have not experienced any effects from the coronavirus as it pertains to anticipated attendance,” an AJS spokesperson told National Jeweler last week.

The GIA Jewelry Career Fair in New York, scheduled for March 13, has been postponed to a later date, which has not yet been announced.

“We believe this is in the best interest of all participants’ health and safety,” GIA said in a tweet announcing the postponement.

RELATED CONTENT: How the Coronavirus Is Impacting the Jewelry Industry
However, the March edition of JA New York and the MJSA Expo, held together from March 15 to 17 at the Javits Center in New York, will go on as scheduled.

Out of JA New York’s approximately 500 exhibitors, only two have cancelled due to the coronavirus, a show spokesperson confirmed to National Jeweler Wednesday.

AGS Conclave 2020 in Denver, scheduled for April 27 to 29, also will go on as scheduled. 

AGS said it is monitoring the situation and working with the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, where Conclave will be held, as well as with the Denver Convention & Business Bureau.

Also unaffected at this point are the U.S.’s largest trade shows that take place in late May/early June in Las Vegas and draw jewelers from all over the country.

JCK Las Vegas, scheduled
to take place June 2 to 5, and Luxury, running from May 31 to June 5, will proceed as planned.

“JCK Las Vegas and Luxury are following the latest guidance from local, state and national authorities as it relates to travel and participation in our events, with the intention of keeping our exhibitors and attendees informed as they finalize plans for 2020,” Sarin Bachmann, group vice president for JCK and Luxury, said in a statement released Wednesday.

There have been no exhibitor cancellations as of Wednesday, a spokesperson confirmed to National Jeweler.

Couture will be held June 1 to 5 at the Wynn in Las Vegas, with no delays or cancellations from exhibitors expected, as per a spokesperson.

Show organizers will monitor the situation “based on factual evidence from the CDC, WHO and local health officials,” and coordinate with the hotel.

The Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show will be held June 1 to 5 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and is also not expecting delays or cancellations.

AGTA Gem Fair will take place as scheduled from June 1 to 5 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, AGTA President Doug Hucker confirmed to National Jeweler.

“It’s a fluid situation,” he noted, but said there have been no exhibitor cancellations as of Wednesday.
Lenore Fedowis the senior editor, news at National Jeweler, covering the retail beat and the business side of jewelry.

The Latest

Jeffrey Zimmer Reeds Jewelers
IndependentsOct 16, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Jeffrey Zimmer

Jeffrey Zimmer's decades of leadership at Reeds Jewelers are defined by integrity, a love of sourcing gemstones, and a heart for community.

Sothebys salon new bond street
AuctionsOct 16, 2025
Sotheby’s Introduces Custom Jewelry Service

The new high jewelry design and production process takes 30 days or less from concept to completion, the auction house said.

Oscar Heyman 2025 Holiday Catalog Cover
MajorsOct 16, 2025
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Catalog Is Out, and It’s Spectacular

The holiday catalog for 2025 features never-before-seen images of more than 100 one-of-a-kind masterpieces.

LIM-401 2024 National Jeweler Supplier Bulletin- iD100 Web and Eblast FINAL (2) (1).jpg
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

Foundrae United in Love Campaign Imagery
CollectionsOct 16, 2025
Foundrae Adds To ‘United in Love’ Collection

The brand has released a second installment of its collection of traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.

Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Kathy Corey
IndependentsOct 15, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Kathy Corey

Corey rescued New England chain Day’s Jewelers, preserving its legacy with strong people skills, pragmatism, and a “get-it-done” attitude.

Colorado jeweler Peter Damian Arguello
CrimeOct 15, 2025
Men Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences for 2023 Murder of Colorado Jeweler

Charles Robinson Shay was sentenced to life in prison plus 120 years while his accomplice, Michael James McCormack, got 75 years.

ja_fall_2024_by_headshot_stories_6824.jpg
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the Corner

The upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.

Max Fawcett Claibourne Poindexter
AuctionsOct 15, 2025
Christie's Announces New Jewelry Department Leadership

The auction house named a new global head of jewelry, as well as a new head of the jewelry department for the Americas.

Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Tom Dixon

As chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.

Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher of Shimmer LLC
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2025
Here Are the Winners of the BIJC, JA ‘Emerging Jewelers’ Grant

Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.

Cooper Flagg family at Day’s Jewelers
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Day’s Jewelers Crafts Custom Jewelry for No.1 NBA Draft Pick Cooper Flagg

The parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.

Pragnell Kitulo Garnet collection
SourcingOct 14, 2025
Pragnell Debuts Kitulo Garnet Jewelry

The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.

Astrid & Miyu 2025 12-Day, 24-Day, Solid Gold Advent Calendars
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent Calendars

The trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.

Front of Marla Aaron porcelain Nymphenburg Lock
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’

Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.

Alisa Bunger Frederick Goldman
MajorsOct 10, 2025
Frederick Goldman Names New VP of Sales

Jewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.

Feriel Zerouki, De Beers Chief Trade and Industry Officer
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers

The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.

Fabergé Imperial Winter Egg
AuctionsOct 09, 2025
This Fabergé Egg Could Crack $27M At Auction

“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.

Kessler watch battery recycling program
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High

The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.

Katkim Men’s Collection Shadow Pendant Necklace and Anerise Signet Band
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s Collection

The line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.

Gemfields Rough Rubies
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11M

The rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.

“Storied Diamond Desert Sands of Eternity” engagement ring and wedding band
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey

The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.

Emily P. Wheeler Ombré Collection Campaign
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ Collection

The champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.

MRK x MFA Tsuba Charm Necklace Collection Campaign
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Tsuba Designs Inspire Monica Rich Kosann’s New Charms

Kosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.

Stock image of a gavel and law books
CrimeOct 07, 2025
Men Who Posed as Utility Workers Found Guilty in Jeweler’s Murder

Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo face life in prison for the October 2024 murder of 72-year-old Detroit-area jeweler Hussein Murray.

Zoë Kravitz Wearing Jessica McCormack Tempest Sapphire Pendant and Tempest Diamond Necklace
CollectionsOct 07, 2025
Jessica McCormack Looks to Sea Spirits for ‘Tempest’ Collection

The brand’s first high jewelry collection, “Tempest” plays with movement while calling to mind the folklore of the sea.

Lightning Ridge Rural Fire Brigade
SourcingOct 07, 2025
Columbia Gem House Announces ‘Opals for Outback Heroes’ Fundraiser

Proceeds from its jewelry raffle will go to a volunteer-run fire and rescue group in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy