In a first for Indian trade fairs, the Indian Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Show (IFJAS) has gone virtual, a trend we are likely to see more often this year.
Starting yesterday on 1 June, more than 200 exhibitors and 1,000 buyers have registered for the event.
While inaugurating the fair, organiser EPCH chairman, Shri Ravi K. Passi, said the current Covid-2019 crisis has led them to think outside the box.
“As a physical fair could not be organised we decided to create a platform in the form of a virtual fair in which exporters of fashion jewellery and accessories are participating,” he explains.
“The show is going to have fashion shows, webinars and craft demonstrations by the artisans as well.”
The president of IFJAS, Shri Vinit Bhatia, adds that in difficult times, EPCH created an opportunity in the form of a virtual fair for the fashion jewellery & accessories manufacturers as going virtual is the only way to go forward.
“It will not only provide business to the exporters but also provide livelihood to the artisans,” he says.
He urges overseas buyers, buying agents and volume buyers to come and source from the first virtual fair IFJAS.
The first day of the fair was a success and got a good response from both exhibitors and visitors, with more than 400 buyers ‘attending’ the virtual fair.
“Since buyers cannot travel, it is a great opportunity to stay in touch with them as well as to do business in this difficult time,” says Christian Rai, president of the Buying Agents Association.
“Going virtual is the only way to survive in the long run.”
