Doha Jewelry and Watches Exhibition to Return on Feb 23 for 13th Edition

Doha, December 02 (QNA) - Doha's Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) will return in 2016 for the 13th edition between February 23-27 at the new Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC), the event's organizer Qatar Tourism Authority announced. For the first time since its inception, the DJWE will feature jewelry and watches workshops for enthusiasts and designers to learn from experts on creating their own pieces. It will be held across over 29,000 square meters of exhibiting space, an increase of 16 percent on the 2015 edition. A significant number of new exhibitors, from Qatar, KSA, France, Germany, Italy and Australia take part in this year's edition. In all, exhibitors from over 27 countries are set to feature this year. A number of educational seminars will be delivered on jewelry and watches throughout the week, enabling an even finer discernment of quality pieces. The exhibition is also offering free, on the spot, gem assessment provided by the International Gemological Institute, the DJWE's laboratory and education partner, for visitors looking to validate the quality of their stones. "DJWE is an admirable example of Qatari success, and after the significant year we've had for business events, I am delighted that the industry will kick off 2016 with one of the world's leading jewelry and watch exhibitions," said Hamad Al Abdan, QTA head of exhibitions, during a press conference to reveal details about the exhibition. "Qatar is undoubtedly the pre-eminent location in which to appreciate the highest quality of products, and I call on exhibitors to take on this opportunity to showcase their creations in this unique setting." Uniquely among the world's jewelry trade shows, the DJWE permits exhibitors to sell directly to the public an opportunity not to be missed during the 2016 edition at the DECC. Visitors to DJWE will be able to survey and select from a wide range of exquisite jewelry and watches investments that they will undoubtedly adore for decades, especially with even more rigorous selection standards for exhibitors at DJWE 2016 suggest that the quality of the products on display will be truly extraordinary. Now in its thirteenth year, DJWE is well established as a notable event on the regional calendar de luxe. Many celebrated brands will be returning to the exhibition in 2016, including each of the 500 that attended the 2015 edition, while many more than previously will be participating for the first time in 2016, and an unprecedented 30,000 visitors are expected. Al Abdan said that current year's indications suggest that QTA's strategies that aim to increase tourist numbers by three times by 2030 is on the right track. The number of exhibitions held in Qatar between 2013 and 2015 has grown by 35 percent, Al Abdan said, expecting a 5-percent increase next year with 58 confirmed events on the QTA calendar. Jaber Al-Ansari, Group CEO of DJWE organizer, Elan Group, said that while DJWE's standing has risen to become the leading exhibition in the region, this year's edition will see new features and improvements in a number of areas. "Since the Elan Group took over the organizing of the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition, it has succeeded in building an international profile in the exhibitions industry, with DJWE now considered one of the biggest exhibitions of its kind in the region," Al-Ansari said. "At ELAN we are striving to ensure that DJWE 2016 will be the biggest, most luxurious and best edition ever, with an unparalleled visitor experience. Visitors this year will experience easy registration that is available via an improved online application, and VIPs will have special access to a private viewing room. Visitors will also be able to take part in workshops offered by a number of exhibitors, and we have partnered with the International Gemological Institute to provide a free and on-the-spot certification of gems. This year, pearls and men's watches will feature prominently, with specially crafted visitor routes to facilitate easy navigation between exhibiting brands," he added. DJWE's international credentials are re-affirmed with the participation in the 2016 event's organization by Fira Barcelona, one of the most important trade fair organizations in Europe, and Spain's market leader. Miquel Serrano, Fira international business development director, expressed his pleasure to be involved. "We are delighted to be part of the organization of DJWE 2016 in association with QTA and ELAN," he said, "and with our Qatar partners we are working hard to create a magnificent event for February." DJWE's burnishing international credentials are underlined by a significant number of new exhibitors, from Qatar, KSA, France, Germany, Italy and Australia. In all, exhibitors from over 27 countries are set to feature this year. Speaking on behalf of DJWE 2016 diamond sponsor QNB, Yousef Darwish, general manager of group communications, said QNB is pleased and proud to continue its sponsorship of the exhibition. "We have sponsored DJWE for many years now, and as Qatar's economic expansion and development continues, it is important to continue to support this spectacular and highly successful show which in 2016 promises again to be highly beneficial for the local economy." As the Qatari government's tourism planning, regulation and promotion arm, QTA works in partnership with stakeholders to plan, regulate and promote the development of a sustainable and mature tourism sector that contributes to Qatar's future and positions the country as a leading tourism destination. DECC is Qatar's central multipurpose venue located in the heart of West Bay, the business district in Doha. Arranged over an area of 47,700 square meters, it offers a versatile venue for business and entertainment events. In addition, DECC hosts a number of state-of-the-art meeting rooms ideal for training, business meetings, seminars and workshops. ELAN Group was established in 2004 with the ambitious task of bringing international and unique advertising concepts to Qatar. By introducing the latest media tools to the market, and with the support of globally experienced partners, we laid the foundations and set global standards for the country's advertising sector. Fira de Barcelona is one of the most important trade fair institutions in Europe and the Spanish market leader, especially for trade and industrial shows. It has a portfolio of over 80 shows of different frequencies with 30,000 exhibitors, both direct and represented, and receives two million visitors from over 200 countries.(QNA)