AGTA and U.S. Antique Shows to join forces in Las Vegas

by carly_midgley | December 1, 2017 12:18 pm

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The American Gem Trade Association[2] (AGTA) and U.S. Antique Shows[3] have announced their Las Vegas events will soon be co-locating. Beginning in June 2019, AGTA GemFair Las Vegas[4] and Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show[5] will both be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center[6].

“We carefully researched all facets of this partnership prior to making the decision to align with U.S. Antique Shows at the Las Vegas Convention Center,” said Douglas K. Hucker, CEO of AGTA. “Through ongoing conversations with our members, as well as multiple discussions within the board and in committees, we came to the conclusion that it’s time for an evolution for AGTA GemFair Las Vegas. The collaboration with Emerald Expositions[7] was a logical choice; not only is the move mutually beneficial to both of our exhibitors and attendees, but there is also a commonality in the perspectives and goals of each of our organizations.”

The two groups believe the co-location will add to the appeal of both shows by exposing attendees and exhibitors to a broader global audience of buyers and improving the cohesion between the events.

“We are thrilled to join forces with the AGTA during Las Vegas Market Week. As a group, we carefully weigh all decisions that potentially affect the industry as a whole,” said Gannon Brousseau, senior vice president of Emerald Expositions’ Jewelry Group[8]. “We firmly believe that AGTA’s vendors and buyers are crucial to the success of our industry, and our Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show vendors cater to a unique and varied group of qualified buyers. There is tremendous cross-promotional appeal between these two autonomous yet complementary events, and this partnership will ultimately contribute to the prosperity of the entire trade.”

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Jeffrey Bilgore, president of AGTA’s Board of Directors[10], also believes the shift will lead to improvements for the jewellery community.

“There are paradigm changes going on in the industry. We see an exciting future for our exhibitors and buyers; the synergy of AGTA GemFair Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show is incredible,” he said. “We will have a show that is easy to work, and one where a store owner can find profits at every booth. Establishing our independence in Las Vegas provides us with so many opportunities for growth and improvement, and partnering with a like-minded organization like Emerald Expositions allows us to provide a vital and affordable show experience for our members, and to expand our resources in strategic and consequential ways.”

More information on the 2019 events will be available in the new year.

Source URL: https://www.jewellerybusiness.com/news/agta-u-s-antique-shows-join-forces-las-vegas/

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