IJL to move to London’s Olympia in 2014
LONDON, February 14, 2013 – International Jewellery London (IJL) will move to a new venue, Olympia, in 2014, it was announced on February 4 at a glittering Champagne reception and Launch Party.
The cream of the British jewellery industry gathered to hear the major news, before celebrating at the glamorous event.
High profile guests included Stuart Laing, CEO of the Houlden Group and Laing of Glasgow, Michael Allchin, CEO and Assay Master of the Birmingham Assay Office, Andrew Morton, Managing Director of Domino Jewellery and Michael Hoare, CEO of the NAG – together with designers such as Sarah Jordan and Kit Heath.
The Champagne Reception and party took place at Fazeley Studios, a stunning artistic venue in Birmingham. IJL’s Event Director Sam Willoughby spoke about what the new move will mean to the show development.
“I am incredibly excited about the opportunities this move allows us. Olympia is an iconic venue with fabulous lighting and as soon as we went to look around, with a number of members from the IJL Advisory Board, we all knew this was the place for IJL’s new home.
“I think this is going to be a really amazing time for International Jewellery London and we can’t wait to share the plans for the future in the coming months. It is a fantastic milestone in the history of the show,” Sam said.
Olympia will give IJL more space and the Grand Hall provides an enhanced layout for the show with two floors and a stunning gallery area. With the capacity to grow by 50%, there are plans to launch dynamic new parts of the show for 2014 and in coming years.
Earls Court, IJL’s home for over 50 years is set to be redeveloped into new residential housing in the next few years, although timing is still not confirmed.
Stuart Laing, IJL Advisory Board Member, said, “Moving the UK’s leading jewellery trade show to Olympia presents a fantastic opportunity to refresh the whole show and take full advantage of the exciting prospects the new location offers. It’s going to be a great venue for everyone involved with IJL and I am really looking forward to next year!”.
It was also announced that the timing of the show will change to a more productive three day event.
“Having Olympia as the venue and keeping the same dateline was more important to us than the length of the show,” Sam Willoughby said.
“We will be having a late night shopping evening on the Sunday and the last day will be a full day, giving exhibitors and visitors ample buying and selling time. Ultimately it will make everyone’s time at the show more productive so a win win for everyone.”
With this being such a landmark time for the UK’s leading jewellery show, the 2013 show is set to be spectacular.
“This year’s IJL is going to be one you won’t forget as we’re planning to leave Earls Court with a bang! We will have impressive new exhibitors, a new partnership with renowned Jewellery Trend forecasting service Adorn Insight, a Champagne partner – Thiénot, enhanced show favourites, the best in international design including designers from the US in a new area brought to you by JCK, and the runway will really rock!” said Sam Willoughby.
The IJL Champagne Reception and Launch Party took place on the evening of 4th February 2013 at Fazeley Studios in Birmingham www.fazeleystudios.com
IJL 2013 will run from 1 – 4 September 2013 at Earls Court, London
