The September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2009 Now World's Number One

HONG KONG, Sept. 17 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair celebrates its 27th anniversary this year. In 2006, the Fair's expansion compelled the use of two colossal exhibitions venues: the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE), and the fair is the only exhibition in Hong Kong that uses both venues. This year, the Fair sets a new record. With the implementation of product sectorisation by venue, the total exhibition space is expanded to 120,000 square metres that is about 25% increase compared with the 2008 edition. The exhibitors at AWE will showcase raw materials including diamonds, pearls, coloured gemstones, equipment and packaging, while the exhibitors at HKCEC will showcase only finished jewellery. Over 3,000 exhibitors from 44 countries and regions are participating this year, making the Fair the largest jewellery event in the world and the largest fair in any industry ever organised in Hong Kong.

"Our product sectorisation policy and the expansion of HKCEC have enabled exhibitors to expand their exhibition space. Meanwhile the Fair provides Hong Kong exhibitors, who enjoy favourable locations in both AWE and HKCEC, an optimal global trading platform right at home. The total exhibition space and the number of exhibitors are up by 25 percent and 16 percent, respectively, compared to last year," said Mr Jime Essink, President & Chief Executive Officer of UBM Asia, organiser of the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair.

Hong Kong companies account for over 40 percent of the Fair exhibitors. Among overseas participants, Thailand has the second largest pavilion with 301 companies. Among the European countries, Italy has the biggest contingent of exhibitors. Amidst the US economic downturn, 150 exhibitors from the US are joining the Fair this year, confirming the Fair's importance to the jewellery industry. The number of Indian companies is double that of last year, from 67 companies in 2008 to 129 companies in this year. In addition, the Fair will feature, for the first time, group pavilions from Colombia, Malaysia, the Philippines and the Chinese city, Shenzhen.

The global economic downturn has undoubtedly affected the jewellery trade worldwide in the first half of 2009. As signs of economic recovery are acknowledged by country leaders and economists, the jewellery trade is starting to see increased activity. The September Fair is expected to benefit from this rebound; buyers are expected to start replenishing inventory in preparation for the holiday shopping season. Mr Essink added: "The September Fair is one of the top-ranking sourcing trips of serious buyers. Due to cost- cutting, people from the trade will choose to attend the most professional and high-quality event that gives them the best return for their money. To further promote the Fair worldwide and attract more visitors, we doubled our marketing budget and have advertised the Fair in jewellery trade magazines in the international and local media. Moreover, we invited buyer delegations from China, Finland, India, Iran, Israel and Russia, among others."

"I am most pleased that UBM Asia's September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2009 has become the largest in the world. I am proud that the HKCEC's expansion has accommodated the fair's growth to the number one position. This fair is an important part of the HKCEC's prestigious portfolio of exhibitions and will utilise all of our expanded space following the completion of our second expansion this past April. Anticipating further growth of this fair and others, the HKCEC will continue to build the critical mass. Plans are already underway for further expansion as our vision is to remain the premiere destination for Asia's trade fairs," said Cliff Wallace, Managing Director, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

"We are very delighted to see that the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair has become the world's largest jewellery and gem fair and would like to congratulate UBM Asia for its insight in using clear product sectorisation to suit buyers' needs, while its "one fair, two venues" model has proven successful in allowing the Fair to grow to become the world's No.1. With further room for growth, AsiaWorld-Expo is well positioned to contribute to the long-term development and further growth of both the Fair and the industry", said Allen Ha, Chief Executive Officer of AsiaWorld-Expo Management Limited.

    Exciting Highlights

* Three new pavilions

In response to the request of the exhibitors, three brand new pavilions will greet participants this year, injecting new elements to the Fair:

    -- Hong Kong Premier Pavilion (Halls 1D &1E, HKCEC) -- a tailor-made
       pavilion featuring nearly 40 Hong Kong exhibitors, whose creations will
       surely delight both traders and connoisseurs alike. The ample space has
       a stylish decor befitting the exceptional quality of Hong Kong
       jewellery.
    -- International Premier Pavilion (Halls 3B & 3C, HKCEC) -- an assemblage
       of almost 40 prestigious international jewellery companies from 16
       countries and regions, featuring prominent brands and creations with
       unique designs.
    -- Fine Gem Pavilion (Hall 9, AWE) -- a pavilion dedicated to the world's
       finest loose diamonds, pearls and gemstones, gathering about 50
       esteemed exhibitors from 13 countries and regions.

    * The largest Diamond Pavilion in the world

Located in Halls 5, 7, 9 & 11 of AWE, the Diamond Pavilion houses 400 exhibitors, including groups from Antwerp World Diamond Centre and Israel Diamond Institute, to showcase fine cut and polished diamonds in over 15,000 square metres of exhibition space, the largest-ever in the world.

* The biggest-ever Thailand Pavilion

This year's Fair will feature the largest Thailand pavilion ever organised. 301 exhibitors from Thailand are present in both venues.

* Hong Kong Pavilion

With almost 1,200 exhibitors, the Hong Kong Pavilion is the single largest showcase of Hong Kong jewellery, a glittering testimony to the city as the world's jewellery powerhouse.

* Dedicated area for jewellery designers

To encourage original creations, Mezzanine 2 of HKCEC is allocated to the Creation Zone -- Designers' Section, which assembles about 30 jewellery designers from around the world. This section serves as a springboard for designers to build their brands in the worldwide market.

* Group Pavilions

This year, there are 21 group pavilions in both venues, demonstrating the international status of the Fair. Groups are from Belgium, Brazil, China, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and the United States. The International Coloured Gemstone Association (ICA) also has its own pavilion.

* Fabulous special events

A series of special events will be organised during the fair period, among them are the opening ceremony, fair receptions, jewellery parade, pearl auctions and seminars.

One Stop - Two Fairs

The September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair is held concurrently with Asia's Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Fair (AFJ) at AsiaWorld-Expo. Buyers attending the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair can enjoy free access to AFJ.

Free Shuttle Bus Service

For the convenience of registered exhibitors and visitors, the Organiser has arranged a free continuous shuttle bus service to run between HKCEC / Tsim Sha Tsui / Tung Chung and AWE.

Fair Information

The September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair will be held at both AsiaWorld-Expo and Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

    Fair Dates & Opening Hours

    AsiaWorld-Expo.Hong Kong
    21 - 24 September 2009            10:30am - 6:30pm
    25 September 2009                 10:30am - 5:30pm

    Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre
    23 - 26 September 2009            10:30am - 6:30pm
    27 September 2009                 10:30am - 5:30pm

Admission to the Fair

The Fair is open to the jewellery trade, business and professional visitors and members of the press. Visitors who present their business cards or invitation cards and identity cards upon registration will enjoy free admission to the fair. Visitors under 18 will not be admitted.

Industry Support

The Fair continues to have the support from the following leading industry associations:

    Advisory Board:

    * The Hong Kong Jewellers' and Goldsmiths' Association
    * The Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association
    * Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturers' Association
    * Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, China

    Sponsors:

    * The Gemmological Association of Hong Kong
    * Hong Kong Gold & Silver Ornament Workers & Merchants General Union
    * The Kowloon Pearls, Precious Stones, Jade, Gold and Silver Ornament
      Merchants Association

    International Sponsors:

    * Gemological Institute of America
    * Antwerp World Diamond Center, Belgium

Downloadable format of the press release is available at UBM Asia's website at: http://www.ubmasia.com

Notes to Editor

About UBM Asia Limited ( http://www.ubmasia.com )

Owned by United Business Media Limited (UBM) listed on the London Stock Exchange, UBM Asia operates in 13 market sectors with headquarters in Hong Kong. We have over 130 media products in three categories: trade fairs, print and B2B portals. As Asia's leading exhibition organiser and the biggest commercial organiser in the two fastest growing markets in Asia: China and India, we stage the leading events of their kind across Asia. Our 110 events attract an annual attendance of 30,000 quality exhibitors and 1,270,000 visitors from all over the world to meet their target business partners face- to-face for business matching and networking. We publish high-quality trade publications for 191,000 industry professionals to capture the market trends and industry news. Complementing our exhibitions and publications are round- the-clock and industry-specific online B2B portals which provide a series of online trading networks, industry news hub and sourcing and marketing platforms for the world's trade buyers and suppliers. We have over 650 staff in 16 major cities in Asia.

About United Business Media Limited ( http://www.ubm.com )

United Business Media focuses on two principal activities: worldwide information distribution, targeting and monitoring; and, the development and monetisation of B2B communities and markets. UBM's businesses inform markets and serve professional commercial communities - from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewellery traders, from farmers to pharmacists -- with integrated events, online, print and business information products. Our 6,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organised into specialist teams that serve these communities, bringing buyers and sellers together, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.

    For press enquiries, please contact:

     Jennifer Law
     Director of Communications
     UBM Asia
     Tel:   +852-2516-1691
     Fax:   +852-3749-7342
     Email: jenniferlaw@cmpasia.com

SOURCE UBM Asia Limited