The 17th Annual JCK Las Vegas event provided jewelry retailers from 72 countries with new business insights to weather the current economy, new products to reach new market segments, and future trends such as nature-inspired and green-themed designs to bring back to their stores. During the five-day Show, retailers representing virtually every market size had the chance to meet with 3,100 manufacturers and suppliers from over 20 countries offering everything from diamonds, gems and watches to equipment technology and packaging -- all of the key products, services and technologies needed for a successful retail business.

"Although retailers and exhibitors are challenged by the current economic state, the Show provided an efficient and effective way to do business; network and learn from the industry's thought leaders and ultimately walk away with actionable steps towards managing their businesses," said Dave Bonaparte, Group Vice President of JCK Events. "Manufacturers reported having very positive results at this year's event by meeting with virtually every level of buyer and merchandiser from large retail chains and independent jewelry stores to wholesale, catalog and even the Home Shopping Network."

Chief executives representing a broad range of the retail distribution channel who were in attendance included Bergdorf Goodman, Blue Nile, Costco, Dillards, Disney, Fortunoff, Home Shopping Network, JC Penney, KMART, Kohl's, Macy's East, Macy's West, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, TJ Maxx, and many others. In addition independent retailers including Bernie Robbins, Birks & Mayors, Deja & Co., Don Muller Gallery, French Designer Jeweler, Finley Fine Jewelry, Fred Leighton; Fred Meyer, Hamilton Jewelers, Hannoush Jewelers, Helzberg Diamonds, I. Gorman, Lily & Co., Lux Bond & Green, Reinhold; XAN Jewelry and thousands of others walked the floor.

Highlights of the five-day event included the Welcome Reception & Fashion Show, sponsored by the Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturers Association; a dynamic keynote presentation by hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons discussing his important African diamond initiative; LeVian's Red Carpet Revue and 2009 Trend Forecast sponsored by InStyle Magazine; the trade show debut of eight Rising Stars; the presentation of the Design Center Retailer of the Year Award to Manika Jewelry in San Francisco and The Clay Pot in Brooklyn, NY; a terrific Swiss Watch by JCK event that featured 22 of the most prestigious watch brands in the world; and education sessions led by Martin Rapaport, Gabrielle Tolkowsky, Shane Decker and other industry gurus.

The JCK Las Vegas floor was buzzing with activity and celebrity sightings including, Kathy Ireland for House of Taylor; renowned Pianist Derek Paravicini and actress Shari Belafonte for Simon G; Playboy's Girls Next Door star Holly Madison for Jacob & Co.; beauty guru Adrien Arpel for Viva Time; American Gladiator Mike O'Hearn for Croton Watch; and Miss France Valerie Begue for Bertolucci. Celebrities who attended the Show supported various manufacturers who were launching new lines.

"We were pleasantly surprised," said Ralph Rossini, President of Honora. "People were more upbeat than we expected and we've had a great show."

"JCK was an extremely successful show for our medium-priced ranged line," said Agostino Magni, President of Rebecca, who was featured in the VicenzoOro Italian Pavilion. "We wrote $3 million worth of orders, so needless to say we are very satisfied with the results."

"There is no recession at Spark. The LUXURY & PREMIERE and JCK Las Vegas events were another record year for us," said Beny Aviram, Owner and House Designer of Spark. "The reason we've had a successful show is that we had many appointments booked prior to the event. Appointments are absolutely necessary."

"The show exceeded our expectations which were lower due to the impact of the recession," said Derek Palmer, Global Marketing Director of Plucenik. "However, sales were better than last year and we attribute that to our strong partnerships with financially strong players."

ABOUT JCK EVENTS:

In 2009, JCK Las Vegas and Swiss Watch by JCK will change day patterns due to the Shavuot holiday. The events will be held Saturday, May 30 - Wednesday, June 3, 2009. The 2009 dates for LUXURY & PREMIERE will be announced shortly. The series of JCK Events are produced by JCK, and are designed to serve the worldwide jewelry industry by offering the most comprehensive and complete buying and selling opportunities on a business-to-business basis. Upcoming events include JCK New Delhi to be held July 5-8, 2008 at the Pragati Maidan Exhibition Centre in New Delhi, India; JCK Toronto to be held August 10-12, 2008 in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Collections by JCK to be held September 24-25, 2008 at the Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada; and LUXURY Bermuda to be held March 15-18, 2009 at the Fairmont Southampton Resort in Bermuda. For more information on any of the JCK Events, please visit us at www.jckshows.com or simply call 1-800-257-3626.