#JCKEvents Design is Main Focus for JCK Events in 2016 - JCK Brings in Two Industry Powerhouses

JCK Events Gains Two Industry Powerhouses to Support Design as Main Focus for 2016

JCK Events is proud to unveil its design strategy for 2016 with two additions to the JCK team, an alternative retailer focus, and enhanced offerings. "Now, more than ever, jewelry retailers are looking for designers that have integrity of product and process and JCK wants to be the destination for it. We're aiming high this year and working with the industry's best to re-imagine and elevate our offerings to the designer jewelry community in 2016," states Katie Dominesey, Industry Vice President for JCK Events. High on the list is the addition of Jacqueline Stone as Design Consultant to JCK Tucson and JCK Las Vegas Design Center. Stone will be the eyes and ears for the designer community. An impressive resume, Stone is the founder and lead designer of Salt + Stone, a fine jewelry company based in Brooklyn, NY. She was named one of New York City's Design Entrepreneurs, and has a diverse background in finance, marketing, merchandising, production, product development and fine jewelry including Tiffany & Co. Product Development. Stone can also be seen and heard in the industry as a speaker for The Gemological Institute of America's Lecture Series along with contributing to her weekly columns in National Jeweler's Designer's Diary and The Good Men Project, Evolution of Love. Michelle Graff, Editor-in-Chief of National Jeweler commented, "I've told Jackie this in person and I'll say it here, if she wasn't designing jewelry, she definitely could have a successful career in writing. Her columns are well written, insightful and engaging. I am so proud to see her working as a consultant with JCK. I know she'll be a great asset, both to the shows and to the designers themselves." iDazzle's Monica Stephenson participated in the Blogger Panel at the 2015 JCK Talks "In my role as Design Ambassador, my job is to help both jewelers and retailers alike get the most of the shows. I'll be scheduling appointments, helping retailers discover new talent and most importantly getting small jewelry businesses the attention they deserve. I'm a huge fan of building community and it's an honor to be included in this dynamic team," stated Stone. In addition to bringing Stone on board, JCK will also be backing its efforts by collaborating with a newly formed Design Advisory Group including: Patricia Faber, Aaron Faber Gallery; Zdena Jiroutova, Z Folio Gallery; John Carter, Jack Lewis Jewelers; Andrea Riso, Talisman Collection, and Catherine Jensen, Michael Jensen Designs. Also joining this all-star group will be Monica Stephenson from idazzle. This group is the sounding board for ensuring JCK is vetting exhibitors of high-caliber and creating value with its events. Stephenson is well known in the industry for her blog idazzle.com where she covers the jewelry industry from an insider's perspective. At idazzle.com, Stephenson delves into the true inspirations of jewelry designers, along with reporting trends in the fine jewelry and emphasizing the significance of adornment to readers. JCK's design spaces at both JCK Tucson (February 3-7, 2016) and JCK Las Vegas (June 3-6, 2016) will undergo extensive makeovers in 2016 offering curated, one-of-a-kind finished fine jewelry in ambient and inspiring destinations. New to 2016, JCK Tucson and JCK Las Vegas will introduce a hosting program for elite design-focused retailers. "Acknowledging that designers are not necessarily looking to be carried in only traditional jewelry stores, we have scoured the industry finding the best galleries, boutiques, and alternative retailers. We are investing in our shows and making sure that the right retailers are not only attending, but hosted at our properties in Tucson and Las Vegas," echoes Dominesey on her design-focused strategy. JCK is also investing in unique looks for its design sections. Both JCK Tucson and JCK Las Vegas are getting a makeover with new booth design and layout. JCK Las Vegas' new chalkboard-styled booths and non-linear floor plan will allow designers to draw and show off their inspiration with a unique community feel. Tucson has revamped its offering utilizing two ballrooms, one curated Design ballroom and one Custom ballroom with technology and loose gemstones. JCK Tucson has improved the vetting process of its exhibitors and its transportation to other shows to ensure both the high-level of exhibitors and convenience of the February event. Dominesey finishes with "Overall, it's a very exciting time for JCK. We're adding design competitions, creating events to bring people together, working hard to understand the retailer— essentially re-imagining what it means to exhibit at a tradeshow at any stage in a designer's career. We want to push ahead of what the norm has been and bring some excitement back. JCK is invested in Design and with the collaboration of people like Jacqueline and Monica, it makes the experience not only relevant, but fun."

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