It is officially that time of the year where exhibitors are getting ready for the biggest jewellery show in India – IIJS Premiere which will be held between 4-8 August, 2022 at Bombay Exhibition Centre. This year, the show will host 2700 exhibitors, and there has been registration from around 397 new companies who have been currently put on waitlist. “We have gotten a request of 4000 stalls, out of which we have managed to accommodate 2700. This will be the biggest jewellery show ever to be held,” says Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC in an exclusive interview with IJ.

Booth allotment for IIJS Premiere was scheduled to take place today, however, the same has been rescheduled to July 2, 2022. “There has been some sudden changes and we are trying to reorganise the floor plan and make some changes so that everybody benefits,” added Ray. IIJS had initially asked all booth representatives to come to Mumbai, where they would allot all 2700 companies booths in one single day.

While the need to include new companies is a valid one, many exhibitors believe that 397 is a massive number. Approximately more than 300 old exhibitors from different categories had put in a request for larger booth space, from 9 sq-mt to 18 sq-mt. However, to accommodate new exhibitors, the organisers are giving an upgrade of 12 sq-mt only. So, many old exhibitors are wondering why the Council is prioritising adding so many new exhibitors over giving the existing exhibitors who have been part and parcel of the show for many years the requested booth size. “We have received requests from 397 new companies, but we are not sure how many we will accommodate. The exact number will be known at the time of allotment,” adds Ray.

“The pool size of new entrants of exhibitors can be reduced for sure to accommodate larger booth spaces for old exhibitors who had requested for the same. How they do this is up to the management. We understand they want to make space for new exhibitors, but a better balance can be put in place,” says Darshit Hirani of P Hirani, Mumbai. There were many new participants last year at the Bengaluru show, and around 397 new ones have been added this year – so, exhibitors are requesting the organisers to relook at this number.

Every exhibitor who had requested for a larger booth space has got 12 sq-mt at best and this will not make any difference. Of course, there will be more space, but it will not allow for doing something different with the booth, essentially it will be similar to the previous space. Exhibitors won’t have the option to create different sections and play around with their booth spaces.

“The rule is very simple. Preference will be given to those who participated in IIJS in 2020 and in 2021 at the Bengaluru edition. Old exhibitors will always be given priority but right now we are in a position to give them an upgrade from 9 sq-mt to 12 sq-mt. The council has been transparent about the entire process, we have shared the formula and the floor plan with them,” adds Ray.

Loose colour gemstones exhibitors are also in a fix as some of them have been allocated booths in Hall 6. “Last year, because of Covid, some of us were allocated stalls in Hall 2 which badly affected our trade. So, we requested the council to allot stalls for all loose colour gemstone companies in Hall 1 along with diamond and gold jewellery exhibitors, like the previous years. They have accommodated the same and we are thankful to the council. However, they have still placed some of us in Hall 6. We have put in a request to bring those companies to Hall 1 as well. This will be hugely beneficial as we will get to attract buyers who are looking to buy gold and diamond jewellery,” says Anil Punjabi of Tahilram Tirthdas Jewellers, Mumbai.

Picture courtesy: gjepc.org