An Interview with Wolfram Diener, Senior Vice President of UBM Asia, who is Overseeing the Jewellery & Gem Fair Europe

FREIBURG, Germany, February 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

"…Germany is an extremely important market, from each level, within the jewellery industry. There is a great need for an international business platform which does not yet exist in the market."

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Mr. Diener, is there a need in Germany, for a jewellery and gem platform?

Germany is one of the most import regions in the jewellery industry. Even at various levels within the industry, it involves gemstone processing, world-leading engineering, production of vast quantities of jewellery by a large number of companies and manufacturers, to the design of individual pieces. Germany is one of the strongest economies in the world and holds an affinity for traditional high-value investments. Jewellery and gemstones are still in high demand here, not to mention that Germany experienced record figures for tourism, especially with visitors from Russia, China and India. These are three countries where 'tourism shopping' plays a major role in travels. The sale of jewellery and watches has drastically risen, especially in Munich, Frankfurt and Berlin. In short, Germany is an extremely important market, from each level, within the jewellery industry. There is a great need for an international business platform which does not yet exist in the market.

How does the show meet the needs of the market?

 We are the world's largest organiser of jewellery and gem fairs, with 19 international trade fairs, and are therefore in constant communication with the industry. The desire for a trading platform, in Germany, came from within these communication lines. The demand was not only for a jewellery fair, but for a platform for networking, inspiration, learning and on-site purchasing. This does not yet exist in Germany, nor Europe, and especially with the outstanding range of precious gemstones and jewellery within the mid-range division. At JGF Europe, you will find visitors such as goldsmiths, designers, purchasers, all specialising in various products and materials and from the high to mid-range price brackets. The largest revenue for companies is known to be made in the mid-range, finished product sector.

What makes the host country, Germany, so important in the field of jewellery and gems?

Germany holds a long standing tradition in engineering and craftsmanship. The quality and innovation in the industry has a very high reputation, especially throughout Asia. Until now, the industry was characterised by medium-sized businesses. Due to the high level of education and the infamous precision in machine-built jewellery, it was possible to create outstanding pieces of jewellery. Next to this, however, design as an important topic. German design represents timeless elegance and does not surrender to momentary fashion trends, but creates long-term value. It exemplifies elegance, clean lines and the highest quality.

Germany is an ideal environment for creative, young talent. On one hand, this is determined by the high-level of the education institutions such as the Vocational School for Glass and Jewellery in Neugablonz or the Acadamy of Fine Arts in Munich and Nuremberg. This has produced many independent designers. In Germany, the individuality of each piece is often as important as the quality and name behind the piece. Evidence of this can be seen in the premium segment, where consumers want unique and personal pieces. This also results in a greater acceptance of new colours, designs and materials. We are seeing more and more coloured gemstones, as well as exotic lava rocks and other minerals. The idea of the Jewellery & Gem Fair Europe is to merge the world's supply and demand in a most remarkable way. We are bringing many exhibitors to Europe which had never been present here before. Their fresh and diverse products will definitely interest the affluent industry professionals attending the fair.

Why Freiburg?

Freiburg was chosen for a variety of reasons. Firstly, its ideal location. Freiburg is centrally located within the European Union and is in the middle of the free-trade zone. With a majority of visitors to the show coming from Europe, this means far less bureaucracy, than other overseas trade fairs. Freiburg is easy to reach from the key industry centres like Antwerp, Vicenza, Basel, and even closer, Idar-Oberstein and Pforzheim and commercial hotspots such as Munich and Frankfurt. We are bringing international exhibitors to the doorstep of European retailers and manufacturers. Many of the smaller dealers, goldsmiths and designers simply cannot afford to fly to the major trade fairs in Asia. JGF Europe can be reached within a few hours, simply with a train ticket. Of course the proximity to Baselworld was not accidental. We offer visitors the opportunity to visit two exhibitions, both covering different aspects of the industry.  Freiburg has a large jewellery and gem tradition, stemming from the gold and silver deposits in the Black Forest and also the trading of precious stones. These traditions still exist in the city to date. This amounts to one of the reasons that we receive tremendous support from the City of Freiburg and the Messe Freiburg. Jewellery and gemstones are at the heart of the people of Freiburg. Freiburg city has therefore joined forces with us, to make the Jewellery & Gem Fair Europe a complete success! Lastly, the city itself is charming and alluring. The 'Pearl of the Breigau' boasts an abundance of high quality hotels and restaurants and the hotel prices are also very low by international standards. Freiburg, and its surrounding area is considered the culinary capital of Germany. Nowhere else can you find as many Michelin stars as here, making this visit a reason, in itself, to spend a few days here.

About the organiser

UBM Asia, organiser of highly professional, international, global jewellery trade fairs creates possibilities for business in the jewellery industry throughout the world. More than 100,000 commercial agents visit the UBM Asia jewellery trade fairs, where more than 9,500 exhibitors from around the globe are registered. The Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, which took

place in September 2013, is the world's leading trade fair with over 3,500 exhibitors and around 5,2000 visitors. The regular trade fair taking place in June is Asia's biggest international mid-year trade fair in the jewellery industry. Furthermore, UBM Asia organises jewellery trade fairs in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Shanghai in China; Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata und Mumbai in India; Japan; Istanbul in Turkey; Singapore; Taiwan; Freiburg in Germany and Moscow as well as St Petersburg in Russia.

You can find more information about the Jewellery and Gem Fair Europe here: http://www.JGF-Europe.com

SOURCE UBM Live