A Pearl-Guide Pearl Walk -- What a great idea!

I originally found this site by searching for Tucson and pearls. The post was Caitlin's "2 Weeks of Pearls in AZ". It's saved in my favorites and I still use the link to go to the site. Such a great article

I think people would be willing to come to Tucson just to do a P-G pearl walk. Getting into the shows without a wholesale business license can be a problem.

Students can get into most shows, so if you took, say, the AJP course with GIA, you could sign up - timing is important, because they usually want to see a recent course completion letter.

The prime show, AGTA, is the hardest to get into if you want to purchase. You have to show wholesale jewelry-related business receipts of at least five thousand dollars in the previous year, plus other business documentation. But, if you get into the AGTA show, you can use your badge to sign up for any other venue. I suppose that would go for students, as well.

The best way to do a pearl walk would be to do the AGTA and the GJX show across the street. That way you wouldn't have to drive to another show. As long as you're in town, the Holidome show has Evergreen Trading and Majestic Pearls. It takes an entire day to see the Holidome show and it's easy to get lost. REALLY. I always take the floor map, mark what I want to see, and still get turned around. Their numbering systems for the booths are confusing. Or maybe it's just me

To see the shows at Tucson is overwhelming, especially for someone like me who has claustrophobia. From vast convention centers to rows of motel rooms, they are all over town, in every nook and cranny, and sometimes along the side of the road!

Beaders have more options because most of the bead shows are open to the public. If you are interested, Colored Stone magazine posts information on all the shows with hotels, maps and shuttle info: http://www.tucsonshowguide.com/tsg/

Look at the links listed at the lower part of the page for last year's show descriptions to get the info to register for each show. Pre-registering, even for retail shows, will save time when you get there. If you are interested in going to Tucson, you need to book a room now -- you can always cancel later if you change your mind.

Too Much Information! Sorry
Blaire