Industry game-changers to be recognised at 40th anniversary celebration of Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong this September
PRESS RELEASE
World’s No. 1 fine jewellery event celebrates four decades by honouring 40 extraordinary individuals shaping the future of jewellery
Industry game-changers to be recognised at 40th anniversary celebration of Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong this September
HONG KONG, 31 January 2023 – Informa Markets Jewellery is celebrating the 40th edition of Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong (JGW) – previously known as the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair – by honouring the exceptional achievements of 40 extraordinary individuals who have helped shape and continue to make a positive difference in the jewellery industry today.
The engine driving a global jewellery portfolio consisting of the biggest and most iconic B2B fairs and events in Hong Kong and other key cities around the world, Informa Markets Jewellery is also behind flagship publication, JNA; one of the industry’s most popular B2B online communities – JewelleryNet, and two of the sector’s most prestigious awards programmes – Jewellery World Awards (JWA) and its regional edition, JWA Dubai.
To commemorate JGW’s 40th edition, JWA is launching a months-long recognition campaign, which will culminate in a Hong Kong celebration in September – the fair’s first in-person gala event in the city since 2019.
JWA is purposely taking on the “Extraordinary 40” theme and a unique selection process this year to highlight JGW’s industry milestone. It also serves as a fitting highpoint to nearly a year-long celebration commemorating four decades of JNA, Asia’s leading jewellery and gemstone trade publication. Coincidentally, it was JNA that launched the predecessor to today’s JWA about 12 years ago – the JNA Awards.
“By recognising the achievements of our 40 JWA champions, we are also honouring the 40-year legacy of JGW and JNA, which is a celebration of the very best in the industry,” said David Bondi, Senior Vice President of Informa Markets in Asia.
“Beyond the Awards, we see so many shining examples of individuals who have achieved incredible success even under the most dire circumstances. They are trailblazers, innovators, educators and creatives. They are ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things, especially in the last three pandemic years. Whittling down our winners list to the fabulous 40 has been impossibly challenging because there are so many truly deserving of this award. By honouring our 40 jewellery champions, however, we hope to send out the message that every gemstone cutter, every jewellery artisan and every designer out there matters. They are the true gems in our very unique industry.”
JWA’s “Extraordinary 40” winners were handpicked by Informa’s international team comprising in-house experts and independent third parties who possess deep knowledge and experience in distinct areas of the industry. The Awardees span different geographies and areas of specialisation, including jewellery design and manufacturing; core product categories such as diamonds, coloured gemstones, pearls and technology, among others, and advocacies and outstanding business practices encompassing social responsibility, sustainability, education and innovation.
The selection process commenced last November and will conclude in March.
“All of the Awardees possess the core values that make our industry great – the continuous dedication to the pursuit of excellence, the boldness to go beyond their comfort zones to learn and try new things, and the passion to inspire others while achieving business success,” said Celine Lau, Director of Jewellery Fairs at Informa Markets Jewellery.
“JWA, in a way, mirrors our ever-changing and ever-growing industry, and reflects the September Hong Kong Fair’s 40-year journey. What started in 1983 as a trade show with only 110 exhibitors is now recognised as a positive force for our community. Pre-pandemic, the B2B fair brought together thousands of exhibitors and buyers from over 130 countries and regions, and will do so again with Hong Kong and Mainland China reopening their borders to the outside world this year. Even more significantly, our flagship jewellery fair has fortified Hong Kong’s position as the most powerful sourcing destination for the global jewellery industry. ”
Extraordinary 40
The 40 JWA 2023 winners will receive personalised award announcements across all of Informa Markets Jewellery’s social media channels as well as coverage on JNA, press releases and eNewsletters. The awardees will also be invited to participate in a high-profile seminar series, which will be held during JGW’s show days in September.
JGW is making its full return to its original two-venue, product category-specific format in Hong Kong after three years of pandemic disruption. Its jewellery materials section will be showcased at the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) from 18 to 22 September 2023 while categories spanning finished jewellery, packaging solutions, tools & equipment, and jewellery industry-related technologies will be presented at the HKCEC from 20 to 24 September 2023.
Also seeing action this year is Jewellery & Gem ASIA Hong Kong (JGA), previously known as the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, which is set for 22 to 25 June 2023 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).
About the Jewellery World Awards (JWA)
JWA celebrates innovation, best business practices and excellence in the jewellery and gemstone industry. Formerly known as the JNA Awards and established by Informa Markets Jewellery in 2012, JWA has evolved to embrace a broader range of entrants, irrespective of size, area of specialisation and geographical location. For more information, visit jwawards.com
About Informa Markets Jewellery
Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our global jewellery vertical, Informa Markets Jewellery, offers in-person and web-based sourcing experiences, digital solutions and dedicated B2B platforms that bring international buyers and quality sellers together in the fine jewellery, gemstone, and fashion jewellery and accessories markets. Our resources, industry experience, influence and focus as a partner are enhanced by our global jewellery portfolio consisting of fairs and events in key cities; a powerful digital platform – JewelleryNet; a dedicated Jewellery Media team, led by flagship publication, JNA; an education-based programme – Jewellery & Gem Knowledge Community, and the industry’s most prestigious awards programmes – Jewellery World Awards (JWA) and its regional edition, JWA Dubai. To learn more, log on to imjewellery.jewellerynet.com
