ITC Los Angeles



		API Vicenza Holds Mini Trade Show in New York

		March 18, 2003



		MARCH 18, 2003 - NEW YORK -- In the 37th-floor Sky Lobby of the Marriott Marquis Hotel, 22 exhibitors laid out their wares for the third annual API Vicenza Mini Jewelry Trade Fair, held March 17-19. The first two days of the show, which boasts an intimate setting conducive to one-on-one conversations, were open to all and drew primarily American wholesalers and chain stores. The third day was reserved for New York-based Bel-Oro International and its clients. "People come to see the latest collections, and it gives the exhibiting companies a chance to improve their position in the market and understand what the market wants," said Tranquillo Loison, president of both API and the Linea Italia jewelry company. "It's a different way to work. I think it's better for our association but also for the customers." API, an Italian acronym that translates roughly to the Association of Industrial Producers, is a consortium of about 200 small- and medium-sized Vicenza-based jewelry companies. More than 30 API companies applied to come to the minishow. Spots, however, were limited to 22 to keep the show intimate and manageable, Loison said. While orders are placed at the show, its primary function is to allow the wholesalers and smaller companies to meet face to face. "My partner and I decided that this might be as good a time as any to see if there's anything new we might be interested in," said show attendee Thomas Gorman, president of the Pittsburgh-based wholesaler Keppie Kiger. "They told us that the companies here do not exhibit in Las Vegas or New York, so they theoretically have something we haven't seen. I also like the idea that it's a small group." For more information on the show, contact the Italian Trade commission at (323) 879-0950 or visit www.italtrade.com.

		Source: National Jeweler

		www.national-jeweler.com