After three successful show days filled with active business, this year’s IJK closed its doors on May 16th, ending Asia’s premium summer jewellery show on a high note despite a slight decrease in its exhibitor and visitor numbers. 408 exhibitors from 24 countries and 13,057 visitors attended IJK 2009, held from May 14 to May 16, at the Kobe International Exhibition Hall.
Opening Ribbon Cut Ceremony on the morning of May 14, 2009
President of Reed Exhibitions Japan Ltd., Tadao Ishizumi (left) and
Mayor of Kobe, Tatsuo Yada (right)
Organised by Reed Exhibitions Japan Ltd. and with special support from the Japan Pearl Promotion Society, IJK continues to enjoy excellent reputation which helped attract quality exhibitors this year from Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Myanmar, Philippine, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, UAE and the USA. Exhibitors showed their exquisite line-up of jewellery and gemstones, while visitors attended from around the globe.
Despite the ongoing bleak economic situation, IJK succeeded in proving once again its position as Japan’s leading trade venue for jewellery and pearls in the western Japanese market.
Exciting Events at IJK
IJK was commenced with a grand opening ribbon-cut ceremony on May 14th, welcoming a total of 34 top industry executives from all over Japan and the world. Among the ribbon-cut dignitaries were Mr. Tatsuo Yada, the mayor of Kobe, and Mr. Robert Wan, the President of Tahiti Perles Company, who held a Tahitian pearl auction during the show period. As well, presidents from leading jewellery retailers from China, Korea, Taiwan, India, UAE, Thailand, and Malaysia joined this important ceremony that kicked off the exciting three-day show. In the afternoon of the same day, a panel discussion chaired by the President of Japan Pearl Promotion Society, Mr. Kyouichi Otsuki, was held. Panelists from various pearl associations and 100 industry members gathered to discuss the future of the pearl business.
Reception Party attended by over 600 VIP members
On the same evening, a grand reception party for VIPs was held at the Kobe Portopia Hotel, where over 600 executives gathered to unwind after a busy day in a luxurious atmosphere filled with great networking opportunities. Mr. Wang Yi Shan, President of China’s leading jewellery chain store hangdong Lantian Jewelry Co., Ltd., proposed a toast whereupon guests fully enjoyed the array of fine drinks and exquisite buffet which included a selection of popular western Japanese cuisine.
Full report on www.ijk-fair.jp
