Antique show records biggest opening day ever

Las Vegas--The trade-only antique and estate jewelry show in Las Vegas ended on a positive note, with a number of changes made to the show bringing in more buyers. 

With an increase of 25 percent in attendance on the first day, the show saw the biggest opening day in its 18-year history, according to U.S. Antique Shows, which organizes the Las Vegas trade show along with antique shows in Miami, New York and Los Angeles that are open to the public.

“The show has been very busy for us and there has been lots of trading, selling and buying,” Charterhouse & Sons Vice President John Greiner said.

Maurice Moradof, owner of Yafa Signed Jewels, added, “This year, in Las Vegas, we sold many significant pieces to interested buyers. The Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show continues to improve year after year, demonstrating that the antique jewelry market is very strong.”

The strong momentum of the show can be attributed to a number of changes made beginning this year.

“The improvements made to this year’s show was largely based on feedback we received from our exhibitors,” said Dan Darby, Emerald Expositions vice president and U.S. Antique Shows general manager.

“The redesign of the show floor, attendee badging system and thoroughly vetting attendees who can access the show proved successful. We received an overwhelming amount of positive remarks from both dealers and attendees who felt that the new show floor design was easier to navigate and shop.”

As a result of the new floor plan, he adds, more than 90 percent of the show exhibitors have renewed their booths for next year.

The next show on tap for U.S. Antique Shows is the New York Antique Jewelry & Watch Show, scheduled for July 25 to 28 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan. An entire calendar of show dates for 2014 can be found here.

National Jeweler’s parent company Emerald Expositions owns U.S. Antique Shows--it is one of a group of shows purchased with the acquisition of George Little Management LLC earlier this year--as well as the JA New York shows and Couture.