The SoHo Experience by AJS proved itself once more as a diverse, tradeshow event with just the right amount of Southern Hospitality and all the trimmings.
The event which took place March 10 – 12 at Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta had a weekend filled with top-notch education, immersive experiences, leading industry vendors, interested shoppers, and a plentifulness of opportunities to foster new relationships and reconnect with old friends.
Pre-Show education – consisting of 1-hour sessions and 2-hour masterclasses – was led by SoHo Pros who are industry experts in their fields. The curriculum was geared towards five areas of interest; Retailing, Digital & Live Marketing trends, Sales, and Custom Design. The program curated by Director of Education Cindy Chandler was designed to provide retailers with the “answers you need to move your business forward.” Of widespread appeal for all attendees, was a masterclass on tapping into the power of your iPhone given by Ian Van Slyke, Founder of Mac Learn.
Friday afternoon debuted a lively and engaging SHOW SNEAK PREVIEW hosted by Gem Shopping Network’s Tiffany Bayley via the private 24/7 Atlanta Jewelry Show Facebook Group. Participating vendors chatted with Tiffany and viewers about their products during the 3-hour broadcast. By 6:00 pm, attendees flocked to an evening “icebreaker” ready to socialize and catch up with friends.
An impressive lineup of exhibiting companies brought the best of products and resources to target attendees’ essential business needs. Experiences and interpersonal connections were on full display and included more live-streaming by Tiffany Bayley with vendors and buyers, and a “Build a Bliss Bag Bar” which served as a fun example of the kind of interactive experience you can implement in your own business. The AJS Kids Jewelry Camp was nothing short of thrilling for AJS “Rockstar” campers ages 6-16. Campers used professional tools to learn hand engraving and jewelry-making techniques. All show attendees were welcomed one hour each day if they wanted to pick up some skills of the trade.
New exhibitors were made to feel welcome with daily champagne toasts and Saturday night’s social event, Soho Night Lights, brought show attendees out in large numbers cheering each other on with Karaoke and then dancing the night away.
The “Atlanta Jewelry Show always knocks it out of the park, providing the best experience for vendors and retailers, and creating a wonderful community,” said exhibitor, Rebekah Anderson, Graduate Gemologist (GIA) and Association of Jewelry Appraisers and owner Earth Pebbles Gemology.
“We found some great pieces from a vendor new to our store that has been a part of the show for a while, so you never know what you might find,” said buyer, Jan Fergerson, Ford, Gittings & Kane, Rome, Georgia.
“I love the AJS! It is a great place to network and shop for the latest jewelry styles. My family has been going to the AJS as long as I can remember,” said buyer, Jennifer Beatty Wright’s Jewelry, Fallston, North Carolina.
Additionally, the Atlanta Jewelry Show served as host for a GIA Gem Identification Lab Class facilitated by a GIA Instructor, and the AGS/Southeastern Guild who presented an informative and well-attended session on Crime Trends and Best Practices for the fine jewelry industry presented by FBI Special Agents.
The Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Fall Show will be held August 26 – 27, 2023. Visit the AJS website, atlantajewelryshow.com, for photos, videos, educational resources, and AJS community updates.
