VOICE – first international jewellery fair since lockdown

13 Aug 2020

Image: Pesavento 

In a bid to push the international jewellery industry to start up again in the wake (some might say ‘in the midst’) of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) has introduced a new omnichannel event – VOICE (12th-14th September 2020).

An acronym for Vicenzaoro International Community Event, VOICE is formed of three parts: a Summit (in real life and televised), a physical exhibition with 350 exhibitors and an online showroom.

Unlike the usual Vicenzaoro fairs, 95 per cent of the participating exhibitors will be from Italy, reflecting the travel restrictions in other countries around the world. The same constraints – for prospective buyers – has led to digitisation across the board; as well as the daily Summit talks and discussions, the VOICE website will feature virtual ‘rooms’ where buyers and exhibitors can connect. Suppliers will be equipped with laptops, high-spec zoom cameras, optimal lighting and sound equipment to show their jewellery, watches and packaging in the best possible detail. The website will also feature Inspiration Boards with product images posted by visitors.

In a webinar hosted last week by Jewellery Outlook founder David Brough, Vicenzaoro’s event director Marco Carniello reassured participants that,

“All advanced safety techniques are in place for the event. We don’t expect huge numbers of visitors, but it will be a limited number of people in the pavilion at any time, one-meter social distancing will be in place and masks will be mandatory for all.”

After 20th August buyers can download the Voice app and obtain an e-ticket for the event, which aims to cut down queuing.

Left: Fope; Right: Roberto Coin love In Verona Collection

Among the sector’s key players that have chosen to exhibit at VOICE, include Damiani, Mirco Visconti, Fope, Roberto Coin, Pesavento, Karizia, Fabergé, Riccardo Orsato, Alessi Domenico, Daveri Vicenza, Unoaerre, Giordini, Richline, Quadrifoglio, Amen, Aucella, Bruno Mazza, Coscia, De Simone, Mattia Mazza, Enzo Liverino, Annamaria Cammilli, Rosato, Pianegonda and Damaso Martinez. The watch segment will see Swiss producers Corum and Victorinox as well as the German brand Junghans.

The three-day Summit will focus on themes of Sustainability, Innovation and Technology, Design and Trends for the meetings with producers, buyers, opinion leaders, associations, trendsetters and press. An example: ‘How we see the Future’ which will outline the opinions of the new generation of entrepreneurs on cross-contamination with the fashion world, digital innovation, inspiration from new tools. In the afternoon, focus on sustainability, a development area for the market that asks companies for greater attention and innovation, with two CIBJO seminars on the post-COVID repercussions on CSR and sustainability and the entrepreneurial initiative of five African artists and designers.

Carniello explained that the concept of a hybrid show such as VOICE had been considered by IEG before COVID-19 struck “but we’ve accelerated the plans”. He also said that some of the innovations will be used for the Vicenzaoro fair in January 2021. For now, the digital aspect o VOICE means that everyone can take part digitally.

“It’s all open, no barriers – we want to reach the most people across the world.”

Find out more and register for VOICE

 

Source: The National Association of Jewellers