The second annual INSTORE Show concluded on August 12, 2024, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.
Held from August 11 to 12, the event coincided with the Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference (August 9–10), with the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) co-locating for the first time.
The show featured networking, educational seminars, and buying opportunities for independent retailers, exhibitors, and industry professionals. INSTORE’s Cram Day Conference on August 10 included seminars on lab-grown diamonds, hosted by the GIA Alumni Collective. The Bench Pressure Challenge, a returning event, attracted interest from attendees.
2024 America’s Coolest Stores Celebrated
On the evening of August 11, the show hosted the Play It Cool Party, which celebrated the winners of the 2024 America’s Coolest Stores contest. Copper Canary from Meridian, ID, and Dianna Rae Jewelry of Lafayette, LA, were awarded first-place honors.
Educational Sessions and Keynote Presentation
The educational program for the show featured a range of speakers, starting with Shane Decker’s keynote on August 12. Decker discussed strategies for building a high-performance sales team, a session that resonated with many attendees. Other presentations included Gus Garcia of LOUDR, who spoke on attracting holiday buyers, and a panel of independent retailers exploring strategies for crafting an engaging shopping experience.
Exhibitor and Attendee Reactions
Attendees and exhibitors were satisfied with the show’s location and business connections. Efi Bassali of Bassali Jewelry shared positive feedback on his experience, stating, “We wrote orders for our 14K gold trend pieces with unique inlay, interesting chains and fluted styles.” Local retailers Barb Rosin and Trudy Frank of Gitter Jewelers reconnected with vendors and discovered new ones, such as Kimberly Collins Colored Gems and Paragon Couture Group.
Bench Pressure Challenge Winners Announced
The Bench Pressure Challenge, a key feature of the event, took place over two days. It included two main challenges: the Mystery Box Challenge and the Timed Challenge. The former saw participants craft jewelry from a surprise selection of materials, while the latter tested their speed in resizing, setting, and finishing pieces within a three-hour timeframe.
“We’re immensely grateful to all the exhibiting companies that support The INSTORE Show,” states Matthijs Braakman, chief executive officer of SmartWork Media, which produces The INSTORE Show and INSTORE Magazine. “Their involvement is crucial in empowering INSTORE to produce an exceptional networking, conference, and buying opportunity for independent retailers. These companies provide the backbone of our event, allowing us to offer a platform where industry professionals can connect, share insights, and make important business decisions. We hope you will all join us again in September of 2025, as your continued participation is key to the success and growth of this significant industry event.”
Susan Eisen of Susan Eisen Jewelry won the Mystery Box Challenge, while Jimmy Butts of Sissy’s Log Cabin took first place in the Timed Challenge. Both winners were presented with trophies for their efforts.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Next year’s INSTORE Show will be held from September 14 to 15, 2025, with the pre-show Cram Day scheduled for September 13. The venue will once again be the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.
