With so many of our readers in the gem trade, we thought it was worth including these JSA trade show security tips for both exhibitors and buyers. They may not be gem-specific, but they’re about something just as important—keeping you safe, along with the gems and jewelry you’ve worked so hard to bring to – and take home from – the show. – gr
Trade Shows and Security: A Message from Jewelers Security Alliance
Trade shows are valuable opportunities to reconnect with friends, industry colleagues, and meet future customers. However, proper security practices must be a top priority for everyone involved.
Show management, show security, and law enforcement work hard to keep the shows—and the city—safe. But the responsibility also lies with exhibitors and attendees to follow sound security protocols.
Exhibitors, in particular, must adhere to key security rules to reduce the risk of injury or loss of merchandise. Many losses connected to trade shows can be prevented by shipping goods to and from the show using armored courier services.
Before, during, and after trade shows, exhibitors must follow standard security recommendations for traveling salespersons. This includes precautions regarding unattended vehicles, hotel stays, and other common risk points.
Exhibitors face heightened risks in hotels, car rental agencies, restaurants, parking lots, and while traveling to and from the show city. Criminal groups may use tactics such as money drops, hotel room invasions, distractions, vehicle thefts, and even thefts on the show floor to target merchandise.
Point by Point – Tips from the JSA
INSURANCE COVERAGE
Verify with your insurance company that you have adequate insurance coverage when shipping, traveling with, or exhibiting jewelry while attending jewelry shows.
INVENTORY CONTROL
Ensure that you have a complete, documented listing 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 is essential to provide this information to law enforcement and your insurance company in a timely manner.
GPS TECHNOLOGY
Consider utilizing GPS trackers or similar devices such as Apple AirTags for personal luggage, bags, and containers stored in exhibit booths. These devices are inexpensive and can be easily purchased. This device enables you to track your personal property by using your phone.
ARMORED COURIER SERVICE
Ship your goods to and from the show by an 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.
SHOW VAULT
Vault your goods at the show site immediately upon arrival and keep them 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.
BE CAREFUL WHEN CARRYING BAGS
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 jewelers were carrying were switched with similar-looking bags by these groups.
NO HOTEL ROOM SHOWS
Private and unauthorized hotel room shows present a serious security risk to you, your customers, and to other hotel guests. Do not do private hotel room meetings with merchandise. Keep your goods safely in show vaults.
BOOTH CONTROL
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 manage your merchandise at the booth, consider hiring a security officer through the show.
IMPORTANT NOTE – 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 to 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.
SHOWCASES LOCKED
Do not leave showcases unlocked, except to remove or return merchandise.
NO PARKING LOT TRANSACTIONS
No one should conduct jewelry business transactions in the parking garage. You should also not transport jewelry from your vehicle to the show. JSA recommends hiring security escorts.
IMPORTANT NOTE – Organized theft groups conduct surveillance of parking garages and parking lots. JSA has seen jewelers that were targeted and robbed in the past.
BE DISCREET
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.
BE EXTRA VIGILANT IN CROWDED AREAS
Professional pickpocket teams are known to target individuals wearing high-end watches. JSA has seen an uptick in distraction thefts, where subjects are able to remove watches while the victims don’t realize they have been the victims of a watch theft.
IMPORTANT NOTE – JSA has historically seen that trade show attendees have lost jewelry due to distraction thefts at gaming tables, bars, and restaurants after leaving the show. Professional theft groups are monitoring those after-hours locations looking for unattended pocketbooks and bags.
SHOW ATTENDEES – PERSONAL JEWELRY
All attendees must exercise discretion when wearing and carrying high-end jewelry and watches, particularly when traveling to and from shows, dining in restaurants, and visiting other public places. Throughout the U.S., violent street robberies involving people wearing expensive watches and high-end jewelry are common.
IMPORTANT NOTE – 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 rooms television is on. If you decide not to utilize the hotel room safe, lock it anyway, which will act as a decoy for potential burglars.
SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING
While exhibiting at shows, be cognizant that all attendees are required to always display show credentials around their necks. If you become aware of an attendee who 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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