Smiles at a trade show? Must be something in the water

Genuinely upbeat. That is how I would describe the atmosphere at International Jewellery London, which finishes its first re-launched iteration at London’s Olympia today. 

It was clear to see that business was being done – whenever I dropped by any of the stands to ask how people’s show had been going so far, and not a single one said “disapppointing” – a marked contrast with sentiment from the other shows that have taken place over the last 18 months.

The first day was very busy indeed, and even the designers’ areas on the first floor (where you might reasonably expect footfall to be lower) were thronging with people. Major manufacturers and one-man-bands alike seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the experience.

A packed seminar programme included a lively debate between F.Hinds boss Andrew Hinds, and JewelStreet.com founder Rob Passmore, discussing what shape retail will take in the years to come; advice clinics from UK Trade & Investment; a Q&A with Endless Jewelry’s Jesper Nielsen;  and a talk on the new RJC code of practices with some of the biggest names in the space.

The positivity of the show was no doubt fuelled partly by the resplendent surroundings. Olympia is a far superior venue to Earl’s Court thanks to its enormous, vaulting glass roof – a monument to the ambition and confidence of the Victorians who built it. With sunlight streaming onto a boulevard packed full of visitors (15% up, event director Sam Willoughby told me),  I will be very surprised if this does not signal an industry that is rapidly gaining confidence again.