The exhibition at Iberjoya january 2007 confirmed competitiveness of the industry

The fair, which took place between 18th and 22nd January, was visited by some 23,014 professionals, a 7.7% increase compared to January 2006

International supply and demand played a prominent role at this edition.    
 

Having welcomed 23,014 trade visitors, Iberjoya - January 2007, the International Jewellery, Silverware, Watch and Related Industry Exhibition, an event organised by IFEMA, staged its thirty-eighth edition between 18th and 22nd January at FERIA DE MADRID. This figure, which represents a 7.7% increase compared to that recorded last year, once again reflects the attraction of this event among professionals. IBERJOYA is considered to be one of the most important fairs on the European circuit of international fairs for the industry.

The huge selection of new features and collections presented throughout the exhibition measuring 15,000 square metres and encompassing 520 stands, along with the presence of a number of leading manufacturers, designers and brands at the fair from the most important jewellery-producing regions of Spain, not to mention the participation of importers and exporters and 158 foreign companies from 17 countries, all made up a highly competitive showcase, one that enabled visitors to prepare for the sales campaigns of coming months.     

The progressively strong influence that Iberjoya exercises at an international level also became one of the key aspects of this edition and one of the characteristics most highly rated by both visitors and exhibitors alike. The direct participation of foreign companies accounted for somewhat more than 30% of the total figure. Added to the national representatives of the industry, this international dimension made up an exhibition where visitors were able to discover the latest products and trends, as well as the complete collections of each of the exhibiting companies, all within a single venue protected by the best security measures.

Under the heading of foreign visitors, we might highlight the attendance of some 1,236 buyers from 50 countries, as well as a significant increase in the number of professionals from the United States, Brazil and Venezuela, not to mention up-and-coming markets such as India and Turkey. From Europe, the most significant presence at the fair  corresponded to Italy, France and the United Kingdom. As at previous editions, Portugal was once again the best represented country at the fair, based on the attendance of some 600 professionals. The high quality and considerable variety of the Iberjoya exhibition, as well as the promotional campaigns that are implemented by the fair organisers and the International Guest Programme, which was enhanced at this edition by a specific measure aimed at the American Continent and carried out in collaboration with the Chamber of Trade and Industry of Madrid, continue to boost the profile of this event on all five continents.    

In view of these figures, Iberjoya - January 2007 confirmed its role as a key business forum and an effective marketing tool designed to encourage trade activity. This trade showcase enables professionals to analyse the current state of the market and to take part in the increasingly strong drive on the part of the business sector to boost activity within the industry.      

Fashion and the Latest Trends on Show

Proof of the industry's dynamic drive is the fact that the exhibitors also participate in the activities promoted by Iberjoya in order to accentuate the fashion aspects of the products on show at the exhibition. These activities include the Multimedia Trends Presentation that was organised during the traditional Gala Dinner. Thanks to the creativity of the latest ideas in jewellery, time-pieces and silverware, as well as the innovative contribution made by related industry, this presentation was able to offer a special perspective on the most stunning international trends in all segments.   

A video-world diamond, accompanied by a series of giant screens, a performance and light and sound effects were employed to introduce various lines and designs that made up four main themes: Colour and ostentation in PASSION FRUIT; mild motifs in SWEET LOVE, reworked combinations of precious materials in ADVENTURE GAME and a series of decidedly contemporary pieces in URBAN CHIC. The trends in time-pieces were resumed at BRILLIANT TIME, which highlighted a series of richly decorated faces and bracelets.

Silverware opted for a combination of styles, epochs, materials, textures and shapes, giving rise to a series of personal and long-lasting objects of value. Through a focus on design, brand appeal, variety of design and a series of increasingly creative finishes that are easier than ever to maintain, silverware has renewed its appeal, becoming a basic and essential accessory that is also unique.

Under the heading of related industries, companies that manufacture jewellery cases, padding and packaging presented their spring collections, based on the use of light materials of attractive and refreshing design. With regard to machinery, visitors were able to see the latest advances in software and equipment for design and modelling purposes, as well as discovering a range of innovative technologies for micro-fusion and polishing, not to mention the finishes offered by the latest trends.

Homage Presentations and Other Initiatives   

The Iberjoya Gala Dinner also provided an ideal setting for the industry to pay homage to a number of prestigious jewellery professionals who have managed their businesses for more than 50 years. Among them Pablo Yagüe Sánchez, Juan Borrilla Cerro, Pedro Bueno Martinez, Santos de la Torre del Pozo, Pilar Fernandez Pato and Antonio Folgueras Llorente. For its part, the DUPLEX Group joined this initiative and paid homage to four professionals within the industrial field: the Jesús, José Mª, Luis and Pedro Gracia brothers, representatives of the company Argyor.

Iberjoya also wished to open another channel for promoting business initiatives within the industry that are worthy of special recognition. In this respect, it singled out the company Argentia and its agreement with UNICEF in the Basque Country for the implementation of a charity-based project.

Jewellery-Sculptures and Unusually Rare Gems: The Star Turns of the Exhibitions at This Edition

Coinciding with the trade exhibition, Hall 10 at Iberjoya also hosted the presentation of two spectacular exhibitions, events that enjoyed considerable media coverage and professional interest. On the one hand, "Sanz by Manuel Carrera" presented a selection of eight magnificent sculptures that testify to the genius and imagination of the prestigious creator, Manuel Carrera.

On the other hand, an exhibition of the Diorita Gems Collection was organised by Mundogem and sought to enable visitors to discover the magical and unknown world of precious stones and the extraordinary formations that Mother Nature  can produce. The exhibition was complemented by a series of projections regarding the origin of the main gems and by the film entitled "The World of the Diamond". 

Trade Meeting for the Time-Piece Sector in Spain

As is traditional, the NexoTime Forum took place on the day before the fair was inaugurated. This trade meeting for the time-piece sector in Spain is promoted by the magazine of the same name and organised by the Nexo Group, in collaboration with the Professional Group of Watch-Makers of the Madrid Region. The event also enjoys the support and sponsorship of Iberjoya-Ifema. On this occasion the meeting tackled the theme of  "Falsification: A Question Exclusively for the Brands or for the Entire Industry?", featuring the participation of Victoria Ruiz de Velasco and Fernando Yandiola, legal advisors in these matters at Richemont Iberia and the Professional Group of Watchmakers, respectively.