What you need to know about the Tucson Gem Shows

Last year after a break of many years Justin and I travelled back to sunny Tucson for the annual Tucson Gem Shows that take over the city. There are over 40 shows spanning a 3 week period and the whole city is geared up for visitors. If you have always wanted to go and are thinking of coming down – now is the time to start planning and booking!

DATES

The shows start late January and go through to mid February. The main wholesale shows are from February 2-7 but there are many other shows close by and around Tucson that retail customers can visit. For a full list of shows in an easy to read format pick up a small Tucson EZ Guide in town or click here.

GETTING THERE

Getting in and out of Tucson at this time of the year can be challenging unless you make your booking soon. A better option might be to fly to Phoenix and drive down. I hear it is a beautiful drive and takes 2-3 hours. Once in town there are several transport options. Hiring a car is the most obvious but it can be challenging and/or costly to park at many of the shows. During showtime however there are several shuttle buses that move visitors around the city to the various show locations and these buses are plentiful and safe. Click here for details. The 2016 route info is not available yet but this will at least give you the general idea. The other option which we love is the Sunlink trolley line which runs from downtown to the university precinct.

STAYING THERE

There is plenty of accommodation in Tucson but again the sooner you book the more choice you have. We stay at the Marriott University Park. It is on the trolley (light rail line) that takes you directly to several of the shows downtown and so very convenient. For discounted rates at several of the city hotels the best option is to book through the AGTA bookings site. Some hotels are massively discounted through here. You don’t have to be an AGTA member to book through here at all. Hotel Bookings.  For less expensive rates try the various online booking sites and AirBnB who seem to have a large availability of rooms in shared homes.

THE MAIN SHOW

The main show in town will of course be US!

We will be available for appointments from Monday Feb 1 – Saturday Feb 7. Like last year we have decided to show privately from the Marriott University Park Hotel. This gives you the opportunity to talk with us on a more personalised level with no distractions. Of course there is no obligation to purchase and we’ed love you to pop in and say hello.

Booking to appointments will be open in late November so watch out for that.

We are also planning a few dinners so if you are in town and would like to join us we would love to see you.

THE OTHER SHOWS IN TOWN

There is something for everyone at these shows and I always say if you can’t get it in Tucson in February it probably doesn’t exist.

Here are some ideas in no particular order:

Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show

GIGM Shows / Globex Gem & Mineral Show

Rapa River Gem & Mineral Show

JG&M Exposition – Simpson Street

GIGM Shows / Howard Johnson Gem & Mineral Show

FINAL TIPS

Winter in Tucson is spectacularly warm in comparison to much of the USA. If you are looking for a long weekend break out of your heavy coats I can recommend it highly – make it worthwhile and stay in one of the resorts in the area. I notice that the Westin La Paloma hotel rates start at just $199 a night! So come see us, take in some shows, play a round of golf or hike the beautiful mountains surrounding the city.

I’m sure there is lots more I can tell you but at least here are the essentials to get you started. Please leave a comment below if you have a special tip.