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RAPAPORT... Baselworld 2013 opened April 25 in the new $460 million complex designed by architects Herzog & De Meuron. Organizers expected 100,000 visitors from 100 countries to attend the event before the show closes on May 2, and so far attendance appears to be in line with forecasts. This year at Baselworld, watches and jewelry are being displayed side by side.  Around 1,000 new stands were inaugurated at Baselworld 2013 and all the exhibitors in Hall 1, representing global watch and jewelry brands, are now receiving visitors in impressive two and three-story exhibit spaces. However, not everyone is happy with the new layout of the show. The vast majority of exhibitors in the relocated Hall 3, mostly those representing diamonds, precious stones and pearls, feel that a lot could be done to improve their visibility, the facilities and access to their area. Additionally, the exhibitors believed that if organizers respond swiftly to their feedback, it might be easier to swallow the 30 percent to 50 percent increase in booth prices this year. There are 1,460 exhibitors from 40 countries at this year's show, down from 1,815 companies from 41 countries exhibiting in 2012. The exhibition space is now more compact, 141,000 square meters compared with 160,000 square meters at the previous venue, but the new structure is designed to provide greater visitor comfort and convenience, according to organizers. In 2010, Baselworld reported 1,915 exhibitors from 45 countries, but the number fell to 1,892 exhibitors in 2011.
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