31 Oct, 2017
“The challenge is to set up a completely new format for the entire region”
Your team just concluded a road show dedicated to VOD, how do you evaluate the results and what are your expectations?
The roadshow was managed by the VOD team and headed by our Show Director Mr Luca Veronesi, and we found it to be an extremely successful operation throughout the GCC and its neighboring countries. It gave us the opportunity to explain the new concept and philosophy of the show in more detail, the fact Dubai is moving from its B2C show Dubai International Jewellery Week - by merging with our B2B show VICENZAORO – to key opinion leaders in the region.
Our other reason for the roadshow was to have the opportunity to invite new retailers to visit both Dubai and the show, and we met many interesting people along the way. We visited a great mix of countries such as Lebanon, Pakistan, Africa, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Bahrain, Kuwait – some of which are very close to and familiar with Dubai and others which aren’t so much. The roadshow allowed us to make the linkage between Dubai, these countries and the way they do business, but it is a long-term operation. The final aim of the project is to become the number one show in the region, with our target being Dubai 2020.
VICENZAORO Boutique focused on Green Jewellery, what would be the theme for VOD?
While we didn’t launch an official theme for the show, I would say it is ‘connecting the world’. Dubai is one of the most popular of the GCC counties, yet one of the strategical issues we face is opening doors to new markets that are currently missing from our platform – countries like Vietnam, Laos, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and a number of Far Eastern counties too. Dubai represents the perfect platform for international business thanks to its facilities, connections and opportunities that it can offer. The theme is connecting minds and connecting the world. We need to reinforce the message that Dubai isn’t just part of the GCC – it can represent one of the most prestigious and fascinating capitals of the new world. It represents new ways of operating in up-coming jewellery communities too - Africa being one, for example.
How many Italian companies are participating in VOD? What about the number of buyers hosted?
Italy has a long and strong tradition with the Dubai jewellery industry, which began even before the formation of the UAE. There will be around 50 Italian companies exhibiting at VOD Dubai International Jewellery Show, but we also need to consider the fact there are hundreds of other brands already dealing with Dubai who don’t need to attend the show. They already have presence and business in the city.
All together we will have more than 600 brands in total and will reach more than 300 hosted VIP buyers from more than 25 countries, so we can proudly say we represent one of the new global landmarks for jewellery.
What kind of initiatives are planned for VOD?
Thanks to the hard work of Emanuele Guido, General Manager DV Global Link together with Luca Veronesi, we have a lot of initiatives planned this year – we don’t only create shows and concepts, but launch experiences related to the industry that we represent. In terms of local exhibitors, we have the likes of Dhamani, Mahallati, La Marquise, Malabar Gold and Diamond, Amwaj, Peopley, Renee Jewellers and more who they will launch their new collections during VOD. We will also have a number of top European brands and international brands like Nsouli, Itan, Hasbani, Leading Italian Jewels, Superoro, Chiampesan, Luca Carati, Ferrari Firenze, Garavelli and many others presenting their collections at the B2B section of the show. These brands will also be presenting new production solutions and trends throughout the show.
We have just launched an important alliance with Arab Fashion Week which will open the show’s door to some of the most important celebrities and fashion opinion leaders from around the world, while combining fashion, jewellery and accessories over the weekend.
During this edition of VOD we will also be launching the new Trendvision book, which focuses on forecasting the new trends in jewellery, diamonds and watches. Each year the association launches a new study that’s represented in this beautiful coffee table book, that dictated the new trends 18 months in advance. It’s important for dealers and retailers as it gives them the chance to see how the industry is moving on, which designs will be popular with consumers in the future and what the new consumer attitude will be. We discuss this information through seminars during the show, too.
In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge that faces VOD? How are you planning to overcome it?
Our biggest challenge is to set up a format that’s completely brand new for the entire region - there is currently no other B2B show in this region or in its neighboring counties. It’s simply not part of the culture to have a show in which you can only deal with trade. This model is very well established throughout the rest of the world, and we think it’s the number 1 thing that the GCC region needs – to host a show where the entire community can meet, talk and do business.
As this is a new concept for the Dubai dealers, at the start we found it was quite difficult for them to understand at the benefits that it could offer them. However they are slowly growing more conscious that they need a new platform to trade – one that allows them to enlarge the business platform by creating a space where businesses can mix and match. This show is the solution to the problem – once a year, there is now a place where they can discuss, buy, sell, deal with and create new linkages among the industry.
What are your long term inspirations for the Middle East region as a whole?
The Middle East is one of the most strategic places in the world – not only is it very close to Europe, but it’s a natural linkage between the east and west and the north and south. The Middle East may have a strong focus on culture, heritage and traditional business relations, yet on the other hand we believe Dubai itself can present new orders of business as well as new platforms to experiment in dealing with the new digital generation as well as new economies like Africa and its neighboring countries.
