The World Watch and Jewellery Show welcomes its international audience from 3 to 10 April 2003 with a new brand identity. Some 2,167 exhibitors will present their innovations and collections in a net exhibition area of 112,686 m2 in Basel and Zurich. The complete reorganization of the halls in Basel, the expansion to Zurich and the new corporate identity "BASELWORLD, The Watch and Jewellery Show" are the most striking new features for the 2003 Show.

The World Watch and Jewellery Show reveals itself with a brand new corporate identity at this year's show. Monica Guarnaccia, Show Manager for Marketing and Communications, explains the significance and the objectives of the new brand image: "BASELWORLD is a symbol of prestige and quality, and it underlines our commitment and obligation to continue strengthening the leading position of this event within the luxury goods industry." The new corporate identity symbolizes and embodies the numerous innovations that have been put in place over the past three years, the most significant perhaps being the complete rearrangement of the exhibition halls in Basel and the expansion of the Show to Zurich.

The 2,167 exhibitors of BASELWORLD will for the first time present their innovations and products not only in Basel, but also in Zurich, covering a record area of 112,686 net m2 (gross: 167,000 m2). With the help of the new concept "one show - two locations", the Show Management has been able to increase the net exhibition area by 18% over last year.

With the move of the Country Pavilions to Zurich, there is a reduction of the number of exhibitors in Basel. Here, 1,377 occupy a net exhibition area of 97,482 m2 of exclusively branded goods. The average exhibition area per stand has increased from 43 m2 to 71 m2. This corresponds to an increase of 63%. The creation of the new Prestige Hall and the boost in quality of all the sectors strengthens BASELWORLD's premier status as the most important platform for the watch and jewellery industry. Indeed, the complete reorganization of the exhibition halls in Basel has made it possible for many new prestige brands to attend.

Russian Pavilion is located in Zurich in 2003, Hall 2. At the BASELWORLD in 2003 Russia is represented by the Adamas, Almaz-Holding Companies, Moscow Jewellery Group, Jewellery House "Pasha", Kostroma Jewellery Plant and the Gulidov Krasnoyarsk Non-Ferrous Metals Plant

Irrespective of the difficult climate, BASELWORLD continues to play an important role for its exhibitors that no other marketing tactic can match. Rene Kamm, CEO of MCH Swiss Exhibition Ltd., emphasizes the significance of the Show as an engine for the industry as a whole: "All the changes introduced this year at BASELWORLD are aimed at creating ideal conditions for visitors and exhibitors alike. Considering the current world economic situation it is essential that the industry has a platform which unites the key figures among the exhibitors, purchasers and media."

BASELWORLD Forum 2003

This year's BASELWORLD Forum deals thematically with the difficult economic climate in relation to the luxury goods sector. The speakers this year are: Paola Durante, Luxury Goods Analyst for Merrill Lynch Italy, who will speak on "Luxury and Economy" and paint a macro picture from an investor's point of view. Stephane Truchi, Managing Director of Ipsos France, will describe consumers' requirements, expectations and purchasing habits in "Luxury and Society". Michael J. Silverstein, Senior Vice President and Director of the Chicago Office of The Boston Consulting Group, will discuss "Luxury and Strategy" and the production and distribution of luxury goods.