For Immediate Release

Posted: April 1, 2002 Released by MJSA

For Additional Information Contact: Stasia Walmsley, Director of Marketing and Public Relations 1-800-444-MJSA, ext. 3022, stasia@mjsainc.com

Expo New York Shows Evidence of Economic Upturn

Overall, the several hundred exhibitors--which included such leading suppliers as Stuller, Gesswein, and Rio Grande, among others--reported strong sales leads, indicating a reverse in the recent economic downtown.

"I came in with a little optimism and this show--wow!--it's a real indication of the things to come," said Gary Leonhardt of Gannon & Scott, a precious metal refiner in Cranston, Rhode Island. "It's been a show from the days of old. There's nice traffic, and people are asking the right questions."

Alan Bell, director of The Bell Group (the parent company of Rio Grande) reported that their booth ran completely out of catalogs on day one of the show. "Traffic was very strong the first day, and steady the following two days. Attendees came shopping," Bell said. "This remains the only pure supply show for jewelers in America, and from that perspective, [Expo New York] remains important to both exhibitors and attendees. Investing in new knowledge and technologies are critical to our industry, and this show is an opportunity to get 'super-sized' portions of both."

Jewelry designer Kathleen DiResta of New York City came away from the show with a greater knowledge of her craft after attending Behind the Design: Designer Day 2002, a day-long seminar held at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) prior to the Expo. She also found great value in two interactive AJM At The Bench Live seminars with goldsmith and author Charles Lewton-Brain.

" He really made me give more expansive thought to what I was doing and the tools I use," she said. "He gave alternative approaches. While some people want the exact tricks, I like how he made me think about things differently."

Like DiResta, many attendees left the show with new technical and business information from Expo's education program. Seminars, which were held at Pier 94 during Expo New York, produced standing-room-only crowds for sessions on mass finishing, laser technology, CAD/CAM, and bench techniques among other types.

Designer Day, which focused on business strategies, technologies, and artistic resources, attracted more than 100 participants, as did another day-long seminar, Platinum Day Symposium X. Held March 9 at FIT, Platinum Day celebrated its tenth appearance by offering insights into the latest platinum trends and technologies. (Designer Day was co-sponsored by MJSA, AJM Magazine, and the Jeweler's Resource Bureau; Platinum Day was co-sponsored by MJSA, AJM Magazine, and Platinum Guild International USA.

MJSA will now gear up for its next major trade show, LA Showcase, on April 28-29 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. This tabletop show features 75 exhibits of manufacturing supplies, machinery, components, and services, with the focus on cutting-edge services and products. The show will also include a seminar series featuring technical and business information, as well as a safety education program. Three seminars on safety in jewelry manufacturing, in addition to a "Safe Shop" exhibit on the show floor, will address recent code compliance issues that have threatened the Los Angeles jewelry industry in recent months.

Jewelry industry professionals who are interested in either Expo New York 2003 or LA Showcase 2002 should contact MJSA at 1-800-444-6572 and ask for the trade show department, or visit the Trade Show pages on this site.

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