13 May 2020

JMA received a letter from Informa Markets on May 8, 2020, announcing its unilateral and unconsulted decision to change the date of Jewellery & Gem ASIA Hong Kong ("June Fair") from June to November 26 to 29, 2020, which will fall on the exact same dates as our annual exhibition - "JMA Hong Kong International Jewelry Show” ("JMA Show"). JMA’s Executive Directors Committee ("Committee") urgently called and held an immediate Extraordinary General Meeting to discuss the matter concerned. The following summarizes the viewpoint of the Committee:

1) Informa Markets' abrupt and uninformed rescheduling will cause severe harm to exhibitors and the entire industry. It is a known fact that most global exhibitions in the first half of 2020 were cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Informa Markets' coercive act to move registered exhibitors of the June Show to another date without proper consent is inconsiderate at this sensitive period where the compassionate understanding of each other’s situation is most needed. Its decision came without public consultation of registered exhibitors; it only demonstrates ignorance of the industry's need for support to revitalize and steer growth.

2) It has always been the tradition for JMA to organize the JMA Show in November in Hong Kong for many years. Informa Markets’ unilateral decision to put two exhibitions together on the same set of dates will cause extra burden on the exhibitors, not only on the financial aspect but also on manpower, stock and other areas. Yet, it fails to demonstrate any proposals on handling the overlapping of exhibitors who have already signed up for both the June Show and the JMA Show. As such, Informa Markets' decision is inconsiderate of the current economic environment and will cause great distress to the whole jewelry industry who are already suffering at this arduous time.

JMA has formally sent a letter to Informa Markets to contest the decision. We also alleged that Informa Markets has yet to give a reasonable plan on how to resolve the issue of overlapping exhibitors.
At the same time, we strongly urge Informa Markets to cancel the rescheduling of the June Show, and a refund should be arranged to the affected exhibitors. As a considerate member of the jewellery industry in today's challenging market environment, Informa Markets should lead by example of corporate social responsibility and be understanding of the exhibitors' difficulties.

JMA will continue to monitor the situation closely and announce any updates or replies from Informa Markets in this website from time to time.

Best Regards,
Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturers' Association