Vicenzaoro grows before your very eyes – notes & thoughts for the September edition of VO

Applause, please: Vicenzaoro celebrates the successes of yet another edition weeks before its commencement – the organizers have already announced a full roster of exhibitors. From September 6-10 in Vicenza, 1200 jewelry brands will be showcased, and the industry will collectively delve into the premiere edition of Trendbook 2026+, to gaze into the sparkling future as if through a crystal ball. In the backdrop of the September fair – a revolution. The Italian Exhibition Group has begun the largest investment in the 70-year history of VO.

We already wrote about the ambitious plans of the jewelry fair organizers in Vicenza in our summary of the January edition. Marco Carniello, Chief Business Officer of IEG, announced then that the construction of a new hall at the Vicenza Expo Centre, covering 22,000 square meters, would soon begin. Words quickly turned into reality. The reconstruction of the exhibition space started in February. Vicenzaoro’s Marketing Manager, Michela Amenduni, discussed the progress in a great interview with David Brough for Jewellery Outlook:

“It is a huge investment by the Italian Exhibition Group – we are allocating 60 million euros for the reconstruction. Since Vicenzaoro has become a truly global event, we need much more space. The new hall will increase the exhibition area by as much as 20%. It will be a modern, highly functional space,” said Amenduni.

 

The Shine “under construction”

We will admire the final changes by 2026. In the meantime, the IEG team has ensured that the transformation period is as comfortable as possible for exhibitors and fair participants. Temporary halls have been prepared for the September edition, and thoughtful navigation, signage, and maps will be available to guests, ensuring a smooth flow for the event. Strategically, the IEG investment aims to further strengthen Vicenzaoro’s global position. Today, VO is one of the most important B2B events for the jewelry industry in Europe, but each subsequent edition shows an increase in attendance among guests and brands from outside the old continent. The new space and additional exhibitor spots will allow further development of the international offer and reputation of VO – highlighted Michela Amenduni in the interview with Jewellery Outlook. I am full of admiration for the #GoldenTeam for these bold steps and new ventures. It is a good time to congratulate changes in the IEG structure: in the spring, Marco Carniello was announced as the group’s Chief Business Officer, and Matteo Farsura was promoted to Global Exhibition Manager in the Jewelry & Fashion Division.

Roberto Coin

360 Experience

Since the upcoming Vicenzaoro is already “SOLD OUT” for exhibitors, we have a complete insight into the list of brands that will present themselves in the golden city. The forefront features the crème de la crème of “made in Italy” brilliance. We will see new products from Damiani, the refined sparkle of our favorite – Roberto Coin, floral compositions by Annamaria Cammilli, sculptural wonders by Palmiero, grand luxury at Chantecler, and many, many more collections from top Italian houses and manufacturers. Among the foreign exhibitors – giants from Europe, Asia, and the States, and even sunny Australia. My beloved Autore will be there, the legendary Fabergé, fairy-tale Butani, chic Carrera y Carrera. Artistic flair will await magpies in the Design Room section, and Alessio Boschi and Alessia Crivelli will act as mentors in the “The 8” project for young talents. Vicenzaoro is a “360 experience” – jewelry exhibitions will be accompanied by showcases of technological innovations, raw materials, gemstones, packaging, a large section dedicated to watchmaking, a rich program of discussions and lectures, cultural events organized by the city as part of VIOFF. Of course, I am most looking forward to the premiere of Trendbook 2026+ – an extensive compendium of knowledge about trends and the future of jewelry developed by Trendvision Jewelry + Forecasting, an independent institute of the Italian Exhibition Group. It is the largest publication of its kind in the world – a “bible” for all players in the sparkling industry, especially designers and creative directors. The Trendbook will be available in digital and printed versions – as an old-school magpie, I am already preparing a spot in my suitcase to bring home a beautiful analog edition.

Postscriptum

My meeting and collaboration calendar for the September fair is like the VO exhibition space – SOLD OUT [laugh]. In August, I will introduce you to the brands I will visit with the blingsis camera during my visit to Vicenza on Instagram. The press invitation to the next edition of VO is a success and an honor – the IEG team places great importance on the quality of influencer collaborations. I am proud to once again prepare a report from this inspiring, energetic event. I have written about the VO atmosphere dozens of times – it is an unrepeatable mix of professionalism, quality, hospitality. Vicenza, here I come!