Record visitor attendance and delighted exhibitors
Once again, this year the visitor figures can only be described as overwhelming: 101'700 visitors from over 100 countries results in a new record for BASELWORLD and an increase of 8% compared with the previous year. Feedback from the exhibitors esteemed the visitors’ knowledge as outstanding.
This year those companies exhibiting were delighted with the level of business transacted at the show and record sales.
Jacques J. Duchêne, President of the Exhibitors’ Committee, made the following statement at the close of the show: “We take pleasure in reporting that the atmosphere has been excellent. As exhibitors, we are extremely pleased and have achieved very positive sales. In view of the annual improvement in the quality at BASELWORLD, I am thrilled to be able to repeat my previous statement: it is an honour for us to exhibit in Basel”.
François Thiébaud, President of the Swiss Exhibitors at BASELWORLD, also asserts: "This show was a superb event for us. We have recorded constant growth in a very strong global economic context. Without a doubt, BASELWORLD plays a key role in this.”
For Alberto Colangelo, Communication Manager at Zenith International, the show was a great success: "Our exhibition stand attracted an outstanding flow of visitors both from specialist traders and also journalists. We have recorded a two-digit growth in figures compared with last year.”
The number of business transactions completed at BASELWORLD emphatically underlines the significance of this show. “BASELWORLD is extremely important for us. This show went fantastically well for us”, commented Olivier Bernheim, CEO of Raymond Weil.
The unique character of the World Watch and Jewellery Show offers opportunities for networking and exchanging information that were used to full effect. Pascal Ravessoud, Marketing Manager for Harry Winston, concludes: "This show is enormously important for exhibiting our new ranges. We were able to secure some very good business deals”.
On behalf of jewellery exhibitors, David Yurman, the owner of the David Yurman company, voiced his approval: “BASELWORLD 2007 is our most successful show to date. Our participation in Basel continues to be a very good investment for our brand. The event is uniquely international and co-exhibitors represent the most prestigious brands.” Georg Wellendorff, Managing Director of Wellendorff, is convinced: "For us, the BASELWORLD World Watch and Jewellery Show is unrivalled as the leading global jewellery show. Here we meet an exclusive and international clientele and the entire jewellery world meets up at this event”.
Guiseppe Picchiotti, the owner of Picchiotti, also commented favourably on success at the show: "Without doubt: this show is the most important for us and it went simply brilliantly this year”.
For Francesco Spanedda, Marketing Manager of Pasquale Bruni there is also no doubt: "2007 was even better for us than 2006. Pasquale Bruni chose to exhibit at BASELWORLD as the only international show, because this event is vitally important for our sales. It also permits us complete freedom to express our creativity.”
On the show’s final day, only positive feedback was heard from other sectors also represented at BASELWORLD. Robert Taché, CEO of Taché, therefore made the following comment: “BASELWORLD is a prestigious showcase for leading international diamond dealers to contact their most important buyers. It is the key market hub for business contacts with established and new clients.”
On behalf of the Country Pavilions Winchell Cheung, Director in Germany for the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, expressed his delight with the way the show went: “Visitors to the Hong Kong Pavilion ordered more products than in 2006. In particular, new contacts with dealers from Russia, Brazil and the Middle East were especially encouraging. Basel is still the most important show for our watch and jewellery sectors.”
"BASELWORLD Village" a popular new feature
The new BASELWORLD Village located in Basel’s city centre emerged as one of the highlights at this year’s World Watch and Jewellery Show. Every evening, visitors, exhibitors and journalists could meet up at this venue and enjoy the relaxed, but elegant surroundings. The dedicated restaurants, bars and lounges outside the exhibition halls delivered a unique networking platform. BASELWORLD Village can be described as a magnet for international guests and it satisfied a real need.
Renewed growth in media interest
The tremendous media interest is reflected in the number of 2,758 accredited journalists from over 70 countries, which corresponds to an increase of 9 % compared to the previous year. The entire range of leading specialist journals for the luxury goods sector was represented in Basel. International reports on BASELWORLD in the daily press, business press, TV and radio are constantly increasing. “The quality of interviews with journalists and the number of media contacts were especially pleasing for us”, comments Pascal Ravessoud, Marketing Manager of Harry Winston.
The event organisers of BASELWORLD can now look forward to the future with optimism. One thing is clear for the Show Director, Sylvie Ritter: "This was the best BASELWORLD ever. Moving onwards, we will devote our efforts to sustaining this achievement and developing our success even further. This show will remain the key and most prestigious event for the international watch and jewellery industry.”
The BASELWORLD 2008 World Watch and Jewellery Show will take place from April 3 to 10, 2008 at the Exhibition Center Basel.
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