#TucsonGemShow - JCK - The New Kid In The Desert Part One

This year JCK Tucson opens the doors to its inaugural at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort, a AAA 4-Diamond property, hosting 120 exhibitors, featuring luxury, silver, fashion, bridal, designers and welcoming over 3,000 buyers from around the globe.  

http://tucson.jckonline.com/

Photos are of the hotel and property of the JW Marriott Tucson  

Daily themes will highlight each product category, and which Show Specials will be offered.This is a great way to plan you days in Tucson - the daily themes are:

Sunday, February 2
               3:00 PM – SuperBowl JCK Kick-Off
               Salud Terrace

Monday, February 3
               THEME: FINISHED JEWELRY
               Shop the finished jewelry themed days for the ideal bookends to your week in 

               Tucson—uncover new lines and explore the latest trends to complete your shopping

               experience

Tuesday, February 4
               THEME: FASHION JEWELRY
               Discover the latest trends and affordable collections as colors, textures, and new

               materials are brought to life by our exhibitors presenting fashion jewelry products.

Wednesday, February 5
               THEME: SILVER
               Find an array of fine silver jewelry, accessories and more as we bring one of the 

               most popular areas on the JCK Las Vegas show floor to Tucson.

Thursday, February 6 (two themes)
               THEME: DESIGN
               From ornate products and new techniques to custom pieces and twists on classic 

               styles—JCK Tucson’s designers are sure to provide you with an assortment of 

               collections that will entice even the most unique customer.

               THEME: LUXURY               Every day, shop luxury for high-end jewelry designers and well-known brands 

               whose collections, elegance, and craftsmanship are sure to exceed all expectations.

Friday, February 7
               THEME: BRIDAL
               The cornerstone of every store—bridal products at JCK Tucson offer a wide 

               selection of both the latest trends and classics in engagement sets, wedding bands, 

               and semi-mounts, at all price points to present your customers with the perfect 

               pieces for that special time in their lives.

Saturday, February 8
               THEME: FINISHED JEWELRY
               Shop our finished jewelry themed days for the ideal bookends to your week in 

               Tucson—uncover new lines and explore the latest trends to complete your shopping 

                experience.

Pre-registered buyers including Ben Bridge Jewelers, Seattle, WA, Pave Fine Jewelry, Oakland, CA, Reeds Jewelers, Wilmington, NC, Jewelry By Design, Woodbridge, VA, and Hamra Jewelers, Scottsdale, AZ, to name a few, are getting ready to see the newest products as seasoned JCK and LUXURY exhibitors are abuzz with excitement for the launch of the new show!

If you aren't staying at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort there are some really great events that JCK has added to the schedule...brilliant opportunities to escape the crazy hectic pace of the shows...each day head out and join these easy startups and wind downs.

Start your day with...
6:30 AM – Southwest Trekking Hiking Tour of Sonora Desert
Leave from JW Marriott Starr Pass lobby

7:00 AM – Mitakuye Oyasin Morning Ritual
Salud Terrace
Begin your day by reflecting on the connection we all have with nature and each other, finding focus and creating lasting memories. In a ritual that is centuries old, you will have the opportunity to make your intentions known to the universe through the traditional burning of sage.

...and wind down while making new friends!
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM – JCK Happy Hour
Salud Terrace

6:00 PM - 6:30 PM – The Legend of Arriba Arajo – Tequila Toast
Salud Terrace
This is the perfect way to celebrate with old friends and create new ones - “we are all related."

Along with all the Fabulous Exhibitors - there are several Industry support companies at JCK Tucson - from the American Gem Society and Jewelers Mutual Insurance to Jewelers for Children.

Qualifications for Registration

JCK IS OPEN TO ALL JEWELRY INDUSTRY TRADE PROFESSIONALS

• If your company has been approved to attend a JCK event (JCK Las Vegas, LUXURY, JCK Toronto, LUXURY Privé New York, LUXURY Privé Panama) within the last 3 years you will be automatically approved.
• If this is your first time attending or your company has changed, we request that you provide the additional information listed below.

If you do not meet the above qualifications, you must provide the following:

• Copy of your business license or sales tax certificate
• Copies of itemized invoices from two different suppliers of finished jewelry or jewelry related products within the past year

...and last but not least - Getting There!
JCK Tucson will be providing shuttle service to three key locations:

           Downtown Tucson - Palo Verde - AGTA GemFair

Visit the other 38 shows or just find a great bar or restaurant Downtown! Shuttles will run ever 30 minutes beginning at 8:30 am, the last shuttle leaves the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort at 6:00 pm.

Shuttle Stops Include:

Downtown Tucson                                      Palo Verde Simpson Street                                                Michigan Street

                                                                            Tucson Expo CenterAGTA GemFair- Tucson Conv. Ctr 

Look for Part Two where we take a look at some of the amazing brands at JCK Tucson.

#TucsonGemShow - Top 5 FAQs and General Information

# 1Misnomer - How do I register for the Tucson Gem Show?

You don't - the Tucson Gem Show is actually just under 40 individual shows at different venues throughout the City of Tucson during the same two week period at the end of January through the beginning of February. 

To pre-register you must go to the website of each show - some allow pre-registration and some don't.  The easiest way to accomplish this is to go to the Tucson EZ-Guide page and on the left click through to each show - read the show description - have a look at the vendors that will be exhibiting - and click through to the websites of the shows that work best for you and your business to check for registration information!
http://xpopress.com/AZ-show-schedule.html


How do I know which shows I need to go to?

You are going to get this answer over and over - the Tucson EZ-Guide page is always the most current information about all of the Tucson Gem Shows: The easiest way to accomplish this is to go to the Tucson EZ-Guide page and on the left click through to each show - read the show description - have a look at the vendors that will be exhibiting - and click through to the websites of the shows that work best for you and your business write down the dates and registration information! 
http://xpopress.com/AZ-show-schedule.html

You can also look up the resources you are already using - this gives you the opportunity to talk to the vendor face-to-face and let them know the quality and type of components you need...you will be surprised how many will purchase goods to meet your needs once you've established a personal connection.

Also - ask your peers - odds are that they are going and may have some suggestions!  ...there are conversation threads everywhere from the various Artisan Forums to Etsy!

General suggestions: Goldsmiths love the AGTA, GJX and JCK Tucson Shows. Beaders tend to hit the Holidome, Best Bead and Freeway Shows. For Silvermiths and Metal Clay Artisans - the Freeway Shows are a must, the Kino Sports Complex shows and To Bead True Blue.

I can't stay for two weeks - what dates are my best plan?

The easiest way to accomplish this is to go to the Tucson EZ-Guide page and on the left click through to each show - read the show description - have a look at the vendors that will be exhibiting - and click through to the websites of the shows that work best for you and your business write down the dates and registration information! 
http://xpopress.com/AZ-show-schedule.html

Once you have a list of shows and dates you can choose the best dates that overlap as many of the shows as possible...don't expect to make it to everything - I have been attending for a decade and still haven't figured out how to do that!

I have supplies I need to pick up but what else can I do in Tucson?

I think that anyone who says I can't afford to go to Tucson is nuts!  The best part of Tucson is the education...from the FREE Seminars at the AGTA to the fabulous MJSA "At The Bench" demonstrations in the Tools Hall you will never get the opportunity to talk to the experts gathered for this auspicious event.  Antoinette Matlins charges a premium to teach people to use Gemological Instruments - her two seminar "Gem ID" is FREE!

There are also paid courses from GIA and hundreds of workshops on every type of Jewelry Making there is!  

The Tucson Bead Show and Too Bead True Blue both offer free demos and paid workshops:
http://www.thetucsonbeadshow.com/workshop_list.php
http://www.tobeadtrueblue.com/workshop_list.php

The JOGS Show offers a huge selection of worshops from JewelryTools.com:
http://www.jewelrytools.com/classes/

Classes at the Whole Bead Show: http://www.wholebead.com/class_AZ14.html

The Best Bead Show has a really fun assortment this year:  http://www.bestbeadshow.com/BestBeadShowClasses/BestBeadShowClasses.aspx

This is the assortment of learning opportunities that I was able to find - I am sure there are more...

OK - I know which shows I want to attend but how often will I find myself in the presence of hundreds of Gem & Jewelry companies - how can I expand my horizons?

Don't hibernate in your niche - take an afternoon and head up to the Fine Mineral Show for the most incredible mineral specimens on display...or check out the museum grade Dinosaurs and Fossils at the Arizona Mineral & Fossil Show.


Is there a shuttle or mass transit that can be used to get around town or do I need a car?

Not only are there shuttles but 2014 marks the introduction of "Gem Ride"...from the City of Tucson and Parkwise it is a shuttle around the Downtown shows.
For their latest shuttle info follow:  https://www.facebook.com/ParkWiseTucson
...on Twitter @ParkDTTucson

Shuttle information can be found in the free show guides available at the various venues.

More on Gem Ride below...

Bottom Line - check out as much as you can!  Enjoy!