At the same occasion Sylvie Ritter, Managing Director Baselworld said that even before it starts, all signs for show appeared to be propitious. “At the opening ceremony of last year’s show, we spoke about a year in which “the industry has been revitalised and there are fewer clouds in sight”,” she elaborated. “This return to full health has been confirmed throughout the whole of the year just gone by; so let us assume that 2011 is going to turn out to be just as positive and that the entire industry will thus be able to continue to progress.”
At the conclusion of the show, Duchene summed up exhibitors’ experience at the show saying: “We, as exhibitors, are very satisfied and have achieved highly gratifying sales. The expectations for this year’s Baselworld were exceptionally high – precisely after two particularly positive months at the start of the year. And they were certainly fulfilled. Given the current global political developments, however, we will be treating this pleasing and optimistic result with caution.”
François Thiébaud, President of the Swiss exhibitors reiterated that : "This was an excellent show for us. We achieved splendid sales, and we feel a great sense of satisfaction. Baselworld’s global reach has played a key role in this over the past few days." Whether it was the watch sector, the jewellery sector or the brands, all expressed their positive satisfaction.
However some reports from the fair indicate that while the high-end jewellery segment got a good response, low end, commercial jewellery did not do as well.
The watch segment saw the launch of new editions and collections, which met with good response, and companies exhibiting in this section expressed focus on Asia market specifically India, China and Middle East.
On a concluding note, Sylvie Ritter, said after the show “This was one of the best Baselworld (shows) of all times. We will do everything possible to ensure that we successfully establish ourselves at this new high level. Due to the construction work for the new buildings at the Basel exhibition site, Baselworld 2012 is being held from March 8 to 15, 2012 in Basel.