FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Couture 2009 Focused on Delivering Unparalleled Retailer Event Experience during 2009 Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week

Couture 2009 brings back, by popular demand, retailer educational programs; and introduces its newest VIP Retailers

New York, NY (May19, 2009) – The Couture 2009 Show, May 28 – June 2 at the Wynn Las Vegas will inspire Couture retailers with the world’s best and most exclusive collections of timeless classics and fashion-forward designs while enhancing the retailer’s experience throughout the six days of Couture 2009.

Back by popular demand are education sessions for Couture retailers. In 2009, America’s Best Jewelers will host four, time-sensitive and practical Breakfast Workshops where America’s Best Jewelers will share with Couture retailers best practices in marketing and retail operations. No other jewelry education event provides retailers with the opportunity to interact and learn from other retailers in a highly intimate setting.

Marie Helene Morrow of Reinhold Jewelers in Puerto Rico, America’s Best Jeweler Workshop speaker says, “I am looking forward to participating as a retailer panelist at one of America’s Best Jeweler Education Seminars at Couture 2009. As a Cornerstone Retailer attending the Couture show for more than 10 years, I am delighted to see an education element to give retailers real-world information to help their business operations. I find this year’s Couture event to be the most important to attend for both retailers and exhibitors because it will be a great opportunity to communicate and strengthen important business relationships.”

The America’s Best Jewelers Workshops will take place from Friday, May 29 through Monday, June 1 from 8AM – 9AM in the Mouton 1 Ballroom at the Wynn Las Vegas. Topics to be addressed during the morning workshops include leveraging social media networks to driving consumer traffic to your store location, how to creatively manage your existing inventory, running successful events, and other critical topics using traditional and non-traditional approaches in helping retailers advance their stores’ operations. The workshops are open to qualified jewelry retailers only and space is available on a first-come-first-serve basis. For full details on the America’s Best Jewelers Breakfast Workshops at Couture 2009 visit www.abjnetwork.com.

In addition to the highly unique educational retailer workshops, Couture has introduced a new VIP retailer program. This exciting new program seeks to recognize retailers, who have been collectively identified as important clients who have demonstrated consistent support and commitment to the Couture event and its designers. The 2009 launch program has been a raving success with more than 400 VIP retailers already confirmed for Couture 2009. The VIP program is the ideal launch pad for retailers to enter the highly coveted Couture Cornerstone Retailer program.

Couture 2009 will ultimately play host to the world’s best and most progressive jewelry retailers. The combined Cornerstone and VIP retailer program is comprised of more than 1,000 retailers confirmed to be at Couture 2009.  The Cornerstone and VIP Retailers represent the stores who have been the most loyal to the Couture event and have consistently supported the designers. Retail stores accepted into either the Cornerstone or VIP retailer program must pass a carefully-vetted process whereby they must meet requirements established by the Couture community.

With the addition of these exciting retailer programs, Couture 2009 further secures its position as the oasis to the jewelry retailer community during Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week. Set in an intimate and luxurious environment at the Wynn Las Vegas, the most exclusive and exquisite collections floor, the private designer ballrooms, and breathtaking views from the timepiece villas, will give all retailers the most unrivalled industry event experience in 2009. Couture 2009 is open to all qualified jewelry retailers. Retailer badges from any Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week event will expedite admittance to Couture 2009.

For more information about Couture 2009 and registration, please visit www.Couture09.com. For other inquires, please contact Maria Palombini at 646.654.4959 or Maria.Palombini@nielsen.com.

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About Couture 2009
Couture is the world's most exclusive annual collection of leading international design icons and emerging stars designers and the best of Couture retailers. Set in the magnificent Wynn Resorts, Couture is the only destination where more than 85% of the world's most recognized designers and brands exclusively choose to show during Las Vegas Market Week. Now in its 14th year, Couture continues to be the benchmark for the industry standard for excellence making it the unparalleled event experience for the most prestigious designers and retailers in the world. Couture is an event produced by Nielsen Business Media.

About Nielsen Business Media
Nielsen Business Media, a part of The Nielsen Company, is a leading market-focused provider of integrated information and sales and marketing solutions, helping businesses go to market more effectively and efficiently. Serving more than 30 individual industries, spanning entertainment, media and marketing, retail, travel and performance and design, Nielsen Business Media provides business-to-business products and services in print, online and in person. With more than 40 publications, over 135 trade shows and conferences, and 195 digital products and services, Nielsen Business Media offers insight, analysis and face-to-face contacts to help professionals better understand their markets, serve their customers and grow their businesses.
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