The summer show season isn’t just a busy time for the jewellery industry. Theft and robbery gangs who target exhibitors travelling to and from events are also on the move.Before finalizing your plans, here are a few tips that can help keep you from being victimized.
• Stay on the lookout for telltale signs, such as distraction tactics and ‘money drop’ scams;
• Do not store merchandise in your car;
• Do not carry bags, since robbers assume they are filled with valuables;
• Ship merchandise using an armoured courier service;
• Store merchandise in hotel vaults immediately upon arrival at a show;
• Do not show merchandise in your hotel room;
• Do not make sales calls on accounts in host cities before, during, or after a show;
• Consider hiring a security guard for your booth if you don’t have enough personnel;
• Do not wear show badges outside the show floor; and
• Keep hotel room doors bolted or chained at all times. Gangs have been known to carry out hotel room invasions.
