CMJ reflects on successful first edition of ‘Access’
The Company of Master Jewellers (CMJ) is reflecting on a successful first edition of its new ‘Access’ one-day trade show.
Taking place the day after its traditional two-day members-only exhibition, Access, which was sponsored by specialist insurance broker TH March, opened its doors to any independent jeweller in the UK and Ireland, irrespective of whether they’re a CMJ member or not.
The CMJ’s managing director Patrick Turner was pleased with how things went. “We launched Access because we realised the pressures on suppliers to get in front of retailers were rising and we wanted to make sure that the opportunity remained with the CMJ to support both our own exclusive member-only events as well as widen the prospect of meeting potential new partners at an all-access platform for independent retail,” he said.
“We have been overwhelmed by the retailer attendance, which validates our belief that this was a show that was missing from the industry calendar.”
Visitors to the event liked what they saw, including Robert Gilgannon, owner of Charlbeck Jewellers in Corby. “This was obviously our first time attending and the event was very well organised — we will definitely attend any future shows,” he said.
The CMJ has said that it is “now conducting a comprehensive evaluation as part of long-term planning for future editions.”
