By Scott Guginsky, JSA, & Jennifer Heebner, Editor in Chief
This is the fourth in a multipart series of articles about security measures in the jewelry industry.
Last week we covered off-premises crime, which includes trade show-related crimes—our focus this week—reported to the Jewelers Security Alliance (JSA).
In 2023, 41 out of 100 off-premises crimes were show related (41%), compared with 30.8% the previous year. In 2021, the figure was just 5.9%. In 2022, JSA received just 20 reports of trade show losses.
JSA data also reveal that in 2023 there was a 105% increase in the number of trade show-related losses reported to JSA compared to 2022. Meanwhile, the average amount from a trade show–related loss in 2023 was $245,000. For sure, the most frequent crime scenes are show related.
“JSA has taken a more active role in working closely with trade show organizers to ensure proper security and safety concerns are addressed,” says Scott Guginsky, JSA executive vice president. “JSA also shares intelligence with law enforcement regarding the professional criminals who target trade shows.”
In 2023, the most active state for off-premises losses was Nevada, accounting for 25% of losses. California was next at 24%, followed by New York at 13%, and Florida at 8%. Other states where losses were reported were not detailed in JSA’s 2023 Annual Crime Report.
Guginsky and his team offer these safety tips to industry members planning to participate in trade shows in 2025.
- Check with your insurance company that you have adequate insurance coverage when shipping, traveling with, or exhibiting jewelry while attending jewelry shows.
- Ensure that you have a complete list of all jewelry that you will be exhibiting during the show. This includes grading information, serial numbers, and photos of unique pieces. In the event of a loss, it will be important to provide this information to law enforcement and your insurance company in a timely manner.
- Be careful when moving bags between the show and your hotel room, including laptops, large purses, and other items. Organized theft groups could mistake your bags for jewelry goods or target your other valuables, such as laptops. JSA has assisted law enforcement with several cases where bags that jewelers were carrying were switched with similar looking bags by these groups.
- Ship your goods to and from the show by armored courier service. Verify end-of-show shipping arrangements several days before the show closes. All received shipped boxes should be accounted for and never left unattended.
- Vault your goods at the show site immediately upon arrival and keep your goods secured, except during exhibit hours. Never leave merchandise or any valuables unattended in the booth before or after show hours. Do not bring your goods to your hotel or Airbnb. You must safeguard your goods with special care during show setup and breakdown, which are particularly vulnerable times. JSA has seen an increase in reported thefts during these times.
- Do not leave showcases unlocked except to take out or return merchandise.
- Even with intense buyer traffic, and during setup and breakdown, you must always control the merchandise at your booth. If you do not have enough personnel to control your merchandise at the booth, consider hiring a security officer. JSA has seen a surge in unattended bags being taken from within exhibit booths. Never store unattended bags underneath tables. Promptly return your goods to the show vaults or appropriate safe or guarded locations when the show closes for the evening. Goods not placed in show vaults, booth safes, or guarded locations overnight can disappear.
- Private and unauthorized hotel room shows present a serious security risk to you, your customers, and to other hotel guests. Keep your goods safe in show vaults. When staying in hotel rooms, ensure your hotel room door closes properly. Consider leaving a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door. Criminals might reconsider burglarizing hotel rooms if they hear your room’s television is on.
- Don’t identify yourself as a jeweler in public places such as hotel lobbies, restaurants, taxis, and buses. Be careful in discussing jewelry business in public places away from the show. Do not wear your show badge away from show areas, and do not carelessly discard your badge upon departure so that others might find and use it.
- All attendees need to be prudent in wearing and carrying high-end jewelry and watches when traveling to and from shows and in restaurants and other public places. Throughout the U.S., violent street robberies involving people wearing expensive watches and high-end jewelry is at an all-time high.
- While exhibiting at shows, be cognizant that all attendees are required to always display show credentials around their neck. If you become aware of an attendee that doesn’t meet these requirements, bring it to the attention of show personnel. Report any suspicious activities or behaviors observed while at the show.
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