IEG partners with Emerald Expositions, strengthening foothold in US

Premier_Trade-Show-

The Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) bolsters its position in the American market by signing a partnership with Emerald Expositions LLC (EEX), a leading business events trade show operator in the US.

IEG and EEX will partner in strengthening the presentation of Italian jewellery manufacturers in the US market at events organised by the American company. These include COUTURE and PREMIER trade shows – both of which took place during the Jewellery Market Week at the end of May and early June in Las Vegas.

The new agreement is part of IEG’s long-term strategy to broaden its foothold in the US, which by itself represents more than 43 per cent of the world's total trade show market.

In March this year, IEG acquired a 51 per cent share in FB International Inc. – a US headquartered trade show display outfitter that provides coast-to-coast services, working with the country’s leading exposition companies.

The Italian jewellery sector, which IEG represents, recorded US exports of €1.17bn in 2017, 15.8 per cent higher than the amount registered in 2016.

As a leading trade fair organiser in Italy, IEG is already one of the world’s leading jewellery show operators. Its flagship VICENZAORO system has an international presence, organising Italy’s leading jewellery trade shows, as well as events in the US, India, Hong Kong and the UAE; where the VOD Dubai International Jewellery Show has established its position as the key springboard to the Middle East and North Africa, as well as Central Asia and India.

Headquartered in California, EEX currently operates more than 55 trade shows, as well as numerous other face-to-face events. In 2017, it reported a turnover of close to $350m, connecting more than 500,000 global attendees and exhibitors and occupying more than 650,000sqm of net exhibition space.

Its new PREMIER show debuts in 2019 at the Las Vegas Convention Center from 31 May–4 June, and will bring together the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show and AGTA GemfairTM Las Vegas.

“For the Italian Exhibition Group, this new partnership with a fair organiser of the size and calibre of Emerald Expositions LLC is a most exciting development,” stated Marco Carniello (pictured), director of IEG's Jewelry & Fashion division.

“Not only does it strengthen our presence in the international jewellery sector, but it provides a range of new opportunities for ‘Made in Italy’ in the critically important US market,” Carniello added.

“Italian Exhibition Group has an established reputation for creating opportunities for Italian companies in one of their most important markets, the United States,” said Gannon Brousseau, senior vice-president of Emerald Expositions.

“We are thrilled that IEG has determined that joining PREMIER in Las Vegas is an opportunity that will enhance the success of their brands, as well as strengthen their position within the overall jewellery landscape,” Brousseau added.