Vicenza, Italy—In what its new show director described as "open warfare" within the international jewelry trade show business, Vicenza Fiera, producer of Italy's most important international fine-jewelry shows, announced it will launch two new events in 2008, adding to its traditional three—winter, spring and fall—editions.

The first of the new shows, scheduled for March 2-4 in Milan, will focus specifically on the high end of the market. According to Maurizio Castro, Vicenza Fiera SpA director general, the show will launch with 80 exhibitors and expects to draw 300 by-invitation-only retailers. Castro forecasts these numbers to grow to 120 exhibitors and 400 buyers by year three.

Retailers will be selected from the "aristocracy of international retail," he said. Exhibitors will also represent the elite of the world's brands. While Vicenza would not release exhibitor company names at this point, Castro said the best and most recognizable design companies are expressing interest.

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