Taking place at Messe Basel in Switzerland, international trade show for watches, jewellery and gemstones, Baselworld, closed the doors of the 2018 edition reporting an eight per cent increase in the number of visitors on the first two days.
Although this year’s show was two days shorter than previous editions, the overall number of visitors remained unchanged. The new format, fewer exhibitors and shorter duration, was positively received.
At the closing press conference, Baselworld’s MD Sylvie Ritter summarised that this year’s edition proved to be successful. An overwhelming majority of the exhibitors reported very satisfactory business results. Exhibitor feedback included comments from Rolex’s CEO Jean-Frédéric Dufour said: “We are very happy with this year’s edition of Baselworld. This annual event remains a ‘must’ for the Swiss watch industry, its evolution and its dynamism, which was proven by the strong participation and the avid enthusiasm.”
Patek Philippe’s president Thierry Stern added: “We are very satisfied with the positive feedback that our new products for 2018 received from our partners in the specialised trade and from the press.”
Jean-Claude Biver, president of LVMH Watch Division and CEO of TAG Heuer, sees the following advantages: “The whole world comes together in Basel...Baselworld is the business platform.”
Chopard’s co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele commented: “Baselworld remains one of the most important networking opportunities for our group. It represents a unique window to meet our international business and media partners in a very condensed time frame. We felt the overall mood was very positive and the level of business conducted highly satisfactory.”
François Thiébaud, president of the Swiss Exhibitors’ Committee, said: “Baselworld 2018 was a good year and the Swiss exhibitors were satisfied with this year’s edition, while Messika’s CEO Valérie Messika highlighted global advantages: “Baselworld is our most important trade show because we are present in 60 countries with 400 points of sale.”
Maria Carola Picchiotti, member of the Picchiotti family, continued the dialogue, saying Baselworld is where “one meets all of the relevant partners in the specialised trade and media representatives.” Positive feedback was also heard in the gemstone sector, for example, Groh + Ripp’s owner Bernd Willi Ripp noted: “Our Hall 3.0 was well frequented.”
René Kamm, CEO of the MCH Group, said: “I believe that Baselworld’s present dimensions with 650 brands are optimal. We now have a tailwind for 2019.”
A host of international brands will exhibit at Baselworld 2019 from 21-26 March; definitive commitments including Rolex, Swatch Group, Patek Philippe, LVMH, Chopard, Breitling and Chanel.
For the next edition, the show will also work on new developments: The management will work closely with exhibitors to define new formats for the various sectors; these new formats will offer medium-sized businesses a presence at Basewlorld in line with their needs.
For more information about Baselworld, click here, and watch videos showcasing highlights of the 2018 trade show, here.
