GJEPC conducted a walking tour of the IIJS Signature facilities for the media on Feb 16, with Shailesh Sangani, Convener, National Exhibitions, GJEPC, explaining how things would work once the event kicks off on Feb 18 at NESCO, Goregaon.

The entire event was planned and executed in three weeks flat, and the Convener felt it was necessary to highlight the behind-the-scenes work that has gone into putting up one of the largest jewellery trade shows in Asia.

“IIJS Signature 2022 is being held after a gap of two long years,” Sangani said. “The GJEPC had announced the show slated on 6th of January at the Jio World Centre, but the third wave came upon us, and by industry consensus, we decided to postpone it. Fortunately, as fast as the Covid cases peaked, the surge tapered off equally quickly. By late January, it was time to mobilise into action once again and the exhibitors were given a 21-day prior notice to get ready for the show, which was scheduled for 18th February. In the meantime, the venue, too, shifted from Jio World to NESCO, as the Reliance Group needed to complete leftover construction work. That brought us back to our home ground, BEC, NESCO,” informed Sangani.

Dispelling the concerns about the NESCO ground having been a Covid centre that had an 1800-bed facility, Sangani said that currently only four patients were admitted there. The Council has put in place strict safety measures and has erected large barricades dividing the show premises from the Covid centre.

IIJS Signature has been divided into Hall 1 and Hall 6 (located near Gate 2), which will have exhibitors showcasing diamond and gold jewellery; Hall 2 (renamed Grande) will house loose diamonds and gemstones and laboratories and education institutes; and Hall 7 will be the machinery and allied section. For the first time, a special pavilion is being dedicated to silver jewellery exhibitors in Hall 1.

There will be eight coffee shops, three large cafeterias, and around 20 golf carts to ferry the show visitors from one hall to another.