The 43rd edition of Oroarezzo, the IEG – Italian Exhibition Group event dedicated to Made in Italy production and technology for the gold and jewellery sectors, opened on May 11. Until Tuesday, May 14th, in the halls of Arezzo Fiere e Congressi, a comprehensive offering ranging from gold and silver manufacturing to jewellery creation and new machinery, displaying Italian ingenuity and know-how. Responsible sourcing and jewellery design are also highlighted during an event that will accommodate 400 buyers from 60 different nations.
OROAREZZO: ALL THE CONDITIONS FOR EXCELLENT BUSINESS
In his opening remarks, Maurizio Renzo Ermeti, President of the Italian Exhibition Group, emphasized that “Oroarezzo is held in the heart of Italy’s most important gold and jewellery export district and is a showcase of the workmanship that only Made in Italy can achieve with unparalleled creativity and the most advanced technologies.” The evolution of Oroarezzo, which we have shared with local stakeholders since last year, is beginning to bear fruit: the number of exhibitors is expanding, approaching 400, and the number of countries from which our hosted buyers come is increasing: over 60. We have also opened out to the world of fashion with major brands for such a unique event as “Precious Fashion”. Career Day brings together young people to bring about generational change in the business. In summary, everything is in place for a successful business.
AN INCREASINGLY FUNCTIONAL VISITOR EXPERIENCE
«The appointment with Oroarezzo, which has always been held here at Arezzo Fiere,» stated Ferrer Vannetti, President of Arezzo Fiere e Congressi, «is always a crucial occasion within the annual trade fair program, to which we are glad to provide an increasingly more suitable location. The gold and jewellery display has already profited from the infrastructure changes, thanks to close collaboration with IEG’s superb organizing. For us, this has meant making significant investments over time and confirming our vision of where we want to go: we want to encourage exceptional functionality and a complete relaunch of the facility. We are preparing for new events and a new phase of trade fair development.
HISTORY AND TERRITORIAL IDENTITY ON DISPLAY
Arezzo Mayor Alessandro Ghinelli stated, “The appointment with Oroarezzo confirms the importance of an identifying sector for our territory, where gold and its workmanship have their roots in the city’s most ancient history, to the point of decisively characterizing its current economy and development.” Simultaneously, Oroarezzo is strengthening its position as a national and international reference point for the sector by showcasing the excellence of Made in Italy jewellery and goldsmithing, a vital and dynamic sector in which design and quality are combined with innovation and sustainability, all of which are critical for market resilience. The city is ready to welcome operators, buyers, and visitors while also providing an equally valuable backdrop to the event».
STRATEGIC SECTOR ON A NATIONAL LEVEL
According to Alessandro Polcrì, President of the Province of Arezzo, “The gold district of Arezzo” is a driving force for the provincial economy and has a strong tradition. A living fabric that has kept up with the times, demonstrating in recent years a strong ability to respond to diverse crises, especially those related to international conflicts. This is a vital area, not just for the Province’s economy, but for the entire country, which is experiencing growth as a result of investments in innovation and processes. The Province of Arezzo supports our jewellery enterprises by collaborating with the realms of education and employment to train specialized figures to make the industry more avant-garde and to foster generational change
APPEAL FOR INTERNATIONAL BUYERS.
«The 2024 edition confirms the relevance of Oroarezzo in the international gold and jewellery exhibition calendar,» stated Massimo Guasconi, President of the Arezzo-Siena Chamber of Commerce. «An event capable of attracting hundreds of firms and, more importantly, a consistent selection of the most qualified foreign buyers. The aim is that, despite the tough geopolitical environment and resulting trade tensions, the upward trend that has typified our jewellery in recent years may be sustained. Heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped organize the event, beginning with IEG, the most prominent company in the Italian trade show industry».
JEWELLERY SECTOR IN SEARCH OF MARKET STABILITY
“Our sector needs peacetime,” remarked Mauro Benvenuto, president of the Provincial Council of Arezzo Goldsmiths and Silversmiths. «Escalating wars cause price changes in raw commodities, which raises concerns for businesses. We are entrepreneurs, so we are convinced that it will be a great trade exhibition. IEG did an outstanding job for Oroarezzo. During these four days, we will see how the market has responded to recent swings in raw material prices and whether the increases will be absorbed.
ITA SUPPORTS OROAREZZO AND IEG’S JEWELLERY AGENDA
“The partnership with IEG,” said Matteo Masini, manager of the Italian Trade Agency’s Consumer Goods Office, “allows us to promote Italian events and companies in Italy and abroad.” The number of buyers hosted for this edition of Oroarezzo has been mentioned, which is due in part to our investment in promotional resources and the efforts of our offices. This thus opens up potential for businesses to target markets that are not always easily accessible. In the gold and jewellery sector, for example, we have already received more than double the expected number of Italian companies to attend the SIJE trade show in Singapore. We have accompanied the return of linkages between businesses and overseas markets, and the rise of Oroarezzo is one such example».
AN IMPORTANT EVENT FOR ATTRACTING NEW MARKETS
«The goldsmith district of Arezzo completed an incredibly brilliant year,» stated Hon. Tiziana Nisini, Vice President of the 11th Public and Private Employment Commission. «Exports increased by 9.4%, putting it on par with and surpassing the other two districts. Oroarezzo is not only an opportunity to take stock of unquestionably strong data, but also to attract new markets at a time when wars threaten to shut down some of the existing ones. Our entrepreneurs are undeniably dynamic, and they have been able to withstand and overcome the multiple crises that have occurred one after the other, while also providing job solutions. Local administrators and legislators can and must support them by offering answers, particularly in the areas of training and school-to-work efforts.
A SHOWCASE FOR THE TUSCAN ECONOMY
“Once again this year, Oroarezzo is offering an excellent visibility opportunity for high-end Tuscan goldsmithing, a strategic sector for the economy of the province of Arezzo and for the entire region,” said Leonardo Marras, Tuscany Regional Councillor for the Economy, Productive Activities, Credit Policies, and Tourism. «If the year 2023 ended successfully for Tuscan exports, it was also due to a strong performance on international jewelry markets, which was influenced by the rise in the value of gold. The Arezzo gold area therefore confirms its position as a leading industrial reality in the sector, building on the favorable trend of recent years. In this context, Oroarezzo strengthens its position as a national and international reference for the jewellery industry.
AT THE SHOW, FOCUS ON RESPONSIBLE SOURCING AND JEWELLERY DESIGN
The afternoon featured a discussion on responsible sourcing as part of the event “Responsible Sourcing, Between Opportunity and Compliance” organized in collaboration with TCA SpA. Today, Sunday, May 12th, the topic will be “Surface treatment for jewellery, gold, and fashion accessories between tradition and innovation” (11 a.m., Events Area), in partnership with the Italian Association of Metal Finishings (A.I.F.M.). The importance of communication in jewellery will also be discussed in the talk “If communication is a luxury” (2 pm, Events Area), as well as the role of the sales outlet in the talk “If jewellery stores no longer existed” (3 pm, Events Area), both of which are organized in collaboration with Federpreziosi Confcommercio. The focus will next shift to design with the Première Competition award ceremony (5.45 pm, Events Area) for the best Italian manufacturer. The theme of the 2024 edition is “Love and Beauty”.