Held between 9 and 12 May 2015 in Arezzo, the biggest goldsmith district in Italy, the 36th edition of OroArezzo closed with record figures and growing importance. With a unique focus on Italian jewellery, the fair featured 650 companies from traditional gold districts including Arezzo, Vicenza, Naples and Milan with a 35-percent increase in the number of exhibitors compared to last year. A total of 550 selected buyers from over 80 countries and regions were invited to join this event and approximately 17,000 visitors were recorded. Carlo Calenda, Deputy Minister for Economic Development of Italy announced on the last day of the show that a sum of one million euros will be spent on hospitality to buyers next year, doubling the budget of 2015.
Andrea Boldi, president of Arezzo Fiere e Congressi Srl told Hong Kong Jewellery that he was satisfied with the fair’s performance and expected the number of exhibitors to reach 800 in the next edition, “but not over that”. He emphasised that despite his intention to step up the attractiveness of the fair it did not necessarily mean to invite more people. “Here we have small stands but behind them are big companies with good quality products.” Comparing the market position of OroArezzo to VicenzaOro Dubai, he said while the latter features an international portfolio of exhibitors that offer diamonds, gemstones and jewellery, OroArezzo is an international fair with a strong focus on Italian goldsmithing and silversmithing, which is the core business in Arezzo. It also gives jewellers who could not go abroad an opportunity to meet international buyers. While the fair has a traditional focus on ‘Made in Italy’ jewellery, Boldi said that they may include some international exhibitors for next year’s show. He hoped that the number of visitors will increase by another 30 to 35 percent next year.
Regarding fair arrangement, the new OroArezzo / Tech Pavilion of 2,000 square meters was introduced. The organiser collaborated with Italian Association of Jewellery Machinery Manufacturers and Exporters (AFEMO) to bring 70 exhibitors specialising in jewellery machinery and technology to the show. Christopher Burger, vice president of Gemvision, a producer of CAD tools, said although the show was “smaller than Vicenza”, they experienced “higher percentage of closed sales relative to leads”. Seltek, which specialises in 3D printing and rapid prototyping, also responded positively to the new pavilion. Both had experienced better sales compared to last year.
In addition, the ‘Contemporary/ Metropolitan’ competition which specifically catered to the 60 companies exhibiting in the new Contemporary Pavilion, was held for the first time to promote innovative craftsmanship. Celebrating creativity and design, ‘Premiere 2016’ returned to the show for the 25th year. All winning works were displayed during the fair.
Gold / Italy
Coming up during 24 to 26 October 2015 is Gold / Italy, the second goldsmiths and jewellery fair in Arezzo, organised by Arezzo Fiere e Congressi with a focus on Made-in-Italy jewellery and the union of fashion and gold. Special sections include ‘Bijewel’, featuring fashion jewellery, ‘Cash & Carry’ for immediate delivery and ‘Jewel / Tech’, dedicated to new technologies in goldsmithing. For more information, visit www.goldinitaly.it.
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