IWJG August 2012 Los Angeles Show Report

Let’s put a lid on Los Angeles and the final IWJG Summer Show of 2012.

Several of our members joined Kurt Rothner at his house on Lake Arrowhead and it sounds like they all had a great time. Some of the guys were talking in the Hilton lobby on Saturday evening and one or two were complaining about the warm, humid weather in Los Angeles when Vern Massey reminded them that the weather in LA might not be perfect but it was still better than any place in the country for mid August... and it was!!

Summer shows are always a challenge. Pick any date in the summer and about 30% of our membership is either getting ready to go on vacation, just getting back from vacation or are actually on vacation with family, so attendance is obviously going to be affected. Los Angeles was no exception but we still had between 500 and 600 members and guests at the Hilton. With that many dealers in one room, if you had the right merchandise at the right price or if you were looking to buy at fair prices there was action to be had. You had to work for it but it was there. Prices seem to be holding their own in watches and are all over the place in diamonds but there was still plenty of action.

Adrian Kleiman (Argentina) and Newton Ng (Florida) both said they had good shows. Californian Gabe Arik (Nolan) was very happy with their show results. Miguel Quintero (Mexico) and Raj Kothari (California) along with Matteo Chillemi (his girls) reported in with good shows. Temuri Nanikashvili (New York), Roman Sharf (Pennsylvania), Tom Milani (New York) and Alex Roiz (Pennsylvania) all had good show reports. Marisela Reyes (Canada??), Tommy LaBret (Michigan) and Mark Nance (Texas) all said they had good shows in Los Angeles. Chicago dealer Fred Hakimian (along with many other members) was very happy with his business at the August show in LA and Gary Zumalt (Missouri) reported in with Los Angeles being one of his better events. There were some of our members that found the summer shows (including LA) to be a little soft, but the above reports were typical for Chicago, New York and Los Angeles for Summer 2012. We will say it again, with 600 dealers in one room if you have the right merchandise at the right price or if you are looking to buy at realistic prices, there is business in the IWJG room. It might not come as easy during the summer months, but if you dig in, the action is there. Some of the hottest action comes late in the day on Tuesday. If you leave early you miss it and the members that come on Tuesday afternoon can’t find you.  Don’t take our word for it, ask any of the above members about how their show went. Remember today’s world is filled with uncertainty, but no matter what goes on our strength is in the IWJG Membership. We are stronger together! Talk about strong!!

Monday night was a strong blast at the Hilton Clubroom. The IWJG took over the entire place and hosted an evening of food, drinks and entertainment for our members and guests. We had Leon Hughes and his Original Coasters Band doing all of their great hits plus this year we had a girls group doing great renditions of all the girl groups chart toppers from the 50's and 60's. The evening ended when our members brought both groups on stage for an extended version of "Shout" that had everyone in the room on their feet and dancing (ask Connie Massey about her new career as a Go-Go Dancer). We would love to mention every one that had a good time but the room was packed and we would run out of space. We have never before seen so many cameras all being used (Howard Frum has plenty of pictures) at the same time. A good time was had by all. Thank you for coming to the shows and supporting your IWJG.

For updates, check your e-mails, visit the IWJG website at www.IWJG.com or join us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/theiwjg or Twitter at www.twitter.com/iwjg.

Serving the Best Membership in the World!!!
Olga Cortez Bullock, Joe Nelson, Christina Ledoux and the IWJG Staff

About the International Watch and Jewelry Guild (IWJG)
Since 1985, the IWJG has been conducting 12 to 14 annual cash and carry trade show events throughout the US. The members only shows are supported by over 8,200 of the world's foremost professional watch and jewelry dealers from 75 countries. The IWJG members and shows stake claim to hundreds of millions of dollars in watch and jewelry inventory. For general questions or information on becoming a member visit our website at www.iwjg.com or call us toll free at 800-554-4992. You can also visit us on Facebook at http://www.iwjg.net/facebook for more information or Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/iwjg.