Industry's 'First' show opens in Vicenza

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) January 29, 2010 -- www.tungstenjewellry.com
The total number of exhibitors this year is down from the 1,700 exhibitors reported at the 2009 edition of First. Show organizers said they would not release total buyer attendance figures until after the show closes.

On opening day, the Vicenza Fair welcomed Roberto Ditri, the former managing director and general manager of Marelli Motori SpA, as its new chairman. In his opening address to exhibitors and buyers, Ditri acknowledged the challenging economic environment in which the show is operating this year.

"2010 opens with uncertainty for the world economy," he said. "The 'mini recovery' that the markets are revealing is uncertain and its real consistency and duration are, today still unknown... In this context the jewelry sector must react and it must be supported to do it. Jewelers must continue to play a role in Vicenza and in Italy, and they must find the [Vicenza Fair] to be a strong ally."

Despite much industry optimism for 2010, Ditri's message about the challenges ahead was underscored by the decreased exhibitor numbers, slow traffic and a decline in the number of new designs at a show that was once known for providing a window into the entire year's trends.

A number of exhibitors who spoke to National Jeweler commented on slow traffic on opening day, yet traffic appeared to have picked up by Sunday, with crowds filling the show's main thoroughfare and perusing areas as varied as the high-end pavilion that plays home to brands such as Morellato, Chimento and Staurino Fratelli, as well as the "Glamroom" filled with fashion offerings, including statement jewelry crafted from woven cloth, wood and base metals.

While new offerings could surely be found at the show, exhibitors were primarily expanding upon older collections and were unveiling few new pieces, saying more would be seen at the BaselWorld show, set to take place March 18 though March 25 in Basel, Switzerland.

Designer and exhibitor Marco Bicego, who will be debuting new products at BaselWorld, told National Jeweler that the First show's January date, which crops up so soon after the close of the holiday season, may be too early for buyers to purchase new products, as many are still assessing their needs for the year.
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