Informa Markets and MCH Group – two of the world’s powerhouses in global trade events – are collaborating for the first time. Informa Markets operates the world’s leading B2B network for the jewellery industry and organises flagship events including JGW (Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong). MCH Group brings over a century of experience and has created some of the world’s most influential cultural platforms, including Art Basel.
Together, they are creating Basilia Jewellery & Watch Fair: A new international stage where Asia, Europe and the wider global industry come together. It’s a place where new connections are forged, where industrial and commercial ecosystems converge annually and where the jewellery and watch industries have an intercontinental gathering designed around their current realities and needs.
Basilia will debut in Basel in April 2027.
Bridging the structural gap between Asian supply and European demand
The inaugural edition of Basilia will be held in Hall 2 of Messe Basel and will bring together more than 400 exhibitors. Manufacturers, designers, brands, retailers, wholesalers, distributors and sourcing specialists will gather to explore new opportunities, expand their networks and forge strategic partnerships.
By bringing participants from Asia, Europe and other key international markets under one roof, Basilia provides a dedicated platform for sourcing and commercial exchange. The event is designed to facilitate connections across the value chain, enabling companies to identify new opportunities, strengthen existing relationships and engage with partners from different regions and markets.
Basilia is not a fair that homogenises – it celebrates distinct cultural identities
Rather than imposing a uniform presentation model, Basilia is conceived as a city, structured to accommodate the diversity of its international exhibitors. Its concept reflects the distinct identities and cultural backgrounds that contribute to the global jewellery, gemstone and watch industries. The show will come to life through a series of immersive districts and neighbourhoods: Jewellery Neighbourhoods, Diamond & Gem Districts, Watch Valleys, European Districts, a Swiss District, a Tech Hub and other dedicated spaces. Each will reflect the energy, character and identity of the world’s leading centres of creation, production and trade. Every district has its own personality. Every turn will bring a new discovery.
Basel: A natural meeting point connecting Asia, Europe and beyond
Located at the heart of Europe and well connected to major international markets, Basel provides the accessibility, infrastructure and accommodation capacity required for an event of this scale. Messe Basel offers one of Europe’s most advanced exhibition venues. Local authorities are supporting the initiative. Hotels have committed the accommodation capacity needed to support its long-term growth. Restaurants and tourism stakeholders are also mobilising to welcome the international community, including a significant influx of visitors from Asia.
Margaret Ma Connolly, President and CEO of Informa Markets in Asia, says, “Partnering with MCH Group was a natural choice. Both of our organisations are leaders in creating platforms where business thrives and meaningful connections are made. Together, we are building a global event that responds to the industry’s evolving needs while celebrating the diversity that makes it so dynamic.”
Celine Lau, Director of Jewellery Fairs at Informa Markets, adds: “We go where the market needs us most and where we can create genuine value. Sourcing has never been more complex. Buyers are looking for trusted partners who truly understand the challenges they face. Basilia bridges that gap by directly connecting buyers with specialised suppliers who bring authentic expertise and fresh perspectives. This is particularly important as we now serve a far broader and more diverse audience – from independent retailers to emerging markets across Europe and beyond.”
Andrea Zappia, CEO ad interim of MCH Group, comments: “Basilia is a platform designed around the future of the jewellery and watch industries and their evolving needs. By combining Informa Markets’ global reach and deep understanding of the industrial ecosystem with MCH Group’s expertise in creating world-class event platforms, we are establishing in Basel a new kind of international stage – one conceived from the outset to connect supply and demand across continents. Together, we bring the scale, expertise and credibility required to build something truly global from day one. We are excited about what we are building together.”
And because a business platform thrives on ideas as much as it does on opportunities, knowledge sharing will be a defining feature of the event. Seminars, panel discussions and expert-led conferences will punctuate four days of networking, dialogue and industry exchange.
