Inside JIS Fall 2026: Sara McDonough on Jewelry, Holiday Buying and Miami’s International Connections
As jewelry retailers prepare for the holiday season, JIS Fall 2026 returns to the Miami Beach Convention Center October 16–19, bringing together more than 600 exhibitors and buyers from the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean and beyond. Open exclusively to qualified jewelry trade professionals, the event offers opportunities to purchase inventory for immediate delivery or place future orders, with collections spanning fine jewelry, watches, gemstones, lab-grown diamonds and accessories. This year’s programming also includes trend talks, introductions to new exhibitors and networking opportunities.
Miami Living interviewed Sara McDonough, Event Director of JIS Events, about the show’s origins, its approach to connecting retailers with suppliers and Miami’s role as a meeting point for the international jewelry industry. Ahead of the fall edition, McDonough shares what she hopes buyers discover, how changing consumer preferences influence the show floor and why relationships remain central to her work. She also discusses her path into the events industry, her interests beyond jewelry and her advice for enjoying Miami between business commitments.
Miami Living (ML): How did JIS begin, why was it created, and why was Miami chosen as its home?
Sara McDonough: JIS, or Jewelers International Showcase, launched its first trade-only jewelry show in 1979 with a focus on creating a marketplace where retailers could connect directly with manufacturers, wholesalers, and suppliers and purchase inventory around key seasonal buying periods. Nearly five decades later, that mission is still very much at the heart of the show. Miami is a natural home for JIS because South Florida is an important commercial and jewelry hub connecting the United States with Latin America and the Caribbean. Miami International Airport also offers exceptional access to those markets, making the city an ideal meeting point for our international community of buyers and exhibitors.
ML: What makes JIS different from other major jewelry trade shows?
Sara McDonough: One of the things that distinguishes JIS is that it is first and foremost a buying show. Retailers come ready to do business, and exhibitors are prepared to sell. Buyers have the flexibility to purchase merchandise for immediate delivery directly from the show floor or place orders for future shipment, which is particularly valuable during important inventory periods. JIS Fall is also strategically timed ahead of the holiday selling season, so retailers can make meaningful purchasing decisions when inventory needs are top of mind. The show’s international reach is another major differentiator, particularly our strong relationships with buyers from Latin America, the Caribbean, Florida, and the broader U.S. market.
ML: What do you hope buyers and retailers discover at JIS this year?
Sara McDonough: I hope buyers leave JIS feeling that they discovered both what they came looking for and something they did not expect to find. There is tremendous variety on the show floor. We want retailers to find products that make sense for their customers, while also discovering new designers, trends, and ideas that can help differentiate their businesses. Just as importantly, JIS is an opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and build new ones, because those connections are a major part of how the jewelry industry does business.
ML: What do you think is driving the growing interest in alternative materials and lab-grown diamonds?
Sara McDonough: Today’s consumer has more choices than ever, and that is influencing what retailers want to explore on the show floor. There is growing interest in materials and products that offer different price points and opportunities for self-expression. Lab-grown diamonds are part of that broader evolution because they give consumers another option within the diamond category, while alternative materials allow designers and brands to experiment with color, texture, scale, and price in different ways. For retailers, the important thing is having enough variety in their inventory to respond to different customers rather than assuming there is a single approach that works for everyone.
ML: With more than 600 exhibitors, how do you select the brands featured at JIS, including emerging companies and designers?
Sara McDonough: Our goal is to create a show floor that reflects the breadth of the jewelry/accessories/gifts industries and gives buyers a strong mix of established suppliers and newer companies. We look at what our retail community is seeking, where the market is moving, and how we can provide meaningful variety across product categories and price points. We also want JIS to be a place where buyers can maintain relationships with trusted suppliers while discovering businesses they may not have encountered before. New exhibitors and emerging companies are an important part of keeping the show fresh and giving retailers reasons to explore beyond the vendors they already know.
ML: What advice would you give visitors to help them get the most out of their time at JIS?
Sara McDonough: I always recommend doing some planning before arriving. Review the exhibitor directory, identify the companies and product categories that are priorities for your business, and leave room in your schedule to explore. Some of the most valuable discoveries at a trade show happen when you walk an aisle you did not originally plan to visit or start a conversation with a new supplier. I would also encourage attendees to take advantage of the education, trend programming, networking opportunities, and other experiences happening throughout the show. JIS is designed to connect and get a broader view of what is happening across the industry.
ML: On a personal note, tell us about yourself, your passions beyond jewelry, and how you began your career.
Sara McDonough: I have always been drawn to work that brings people, ideas, and businesses together, which ultimately led me to the events industry and to JIS. What I enjoy most about this role is being able to work with such a dynamic community. Jewelry is an incredibly relationship-driven industry, and I love seeing the connections that happen at the show and watching those relationships grow year after year.
Outside of work, I’m passionate about food and wine, reading, travel and sports...especially the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the Buffalo Bills and US Open Tennis. I think having interests and experiences outside of your professional world gives you a broader perspective and makes you better at connecting with people.
I began my career in New York City at Bloomberg LP, working in sales and customer service while also planning numerous staff events. That experience provided an early foundation for my career in the events industry, and each step along the way has reinforced how much I enjoy creating experiences that bring people together and help businesses grow.
ML: Finally, for those visiting Miami, what advice would you give them for making the most of their time in the city?
Sara McDonough: Miami is one of those places where business and lifestyle come together naturally, so I would encourage visitors to experience both. Give yourself time outside the show to enjoy the city’s restaurants, beaches, art, architecture, cultural mix, and sporting events. Whether you're catching a game or exploring the local arts and dining scene, there's something for everyone. Miami has such a strong Latin American and Caribbean influence, and that energy is part of what makes hosting JIS here so special. At the same time, I always remind attendees that JIS Fall is an important buying event, so come prepared to make the most of your days at the show and then enjoy Miami when the work is done.