An estimated 50,000 people will visit Tucson for the opportunity to explore 43 shows at 41 locations during the upcoming Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase, February 2-17. To coordinate all aspects of this multifaceted annual event, the MTCVB continuously collaborates and communicates with all participating City of Tucson departments as well as Pima County and the State of Arizona. The MTCVB is the only entity that touches every aspect of the Gem Show and serves as the repository for all information.

Here are some show highlights and resources:

• The “Gem Show” is much more than a single event at one location. Rather, there are thousands of participants and attendees atmore than 40 sites around town. Dozens of shows take place at the same time – in giant white tents, at hotels and resorts and at exhibit halls.

• Most of the gem and mineral shows around Tucson are free and open to the public, hours vary. There are several “wholesale only” shows that require a badge and tax-exempt number for admission.

• Details, including show listings, hours of operation, parking locations and transportation options (accurate shuttle schedules and maps) can be found on tucsongemshow.org
• Download the Gem Show shuttle map
• Download the Turquoise Route shuttle map (includes Doubletree Reid Park, Windmill Inn, Gem Mall, Holidome, TCC, Simpson Street Shuttle Hub)

• Bookmark the mobile friendly site (tucsongemshow.org) for up to date listing, parking and transportation information and shuttle routes. Simply open the link on any smartphone and “save to your homescreen” for one-touch access to the Gem Show online.

• Follow the Gem Show on Twitter @TucsonGems or use hashtag #TucsonGemShow

• Got a question? Call the Gem Show Hotline at 520-622-GEMS (4367)
• Scan and share this QR code for quick access to the official Gem Show website

Parking

• Limited parking is available at most shows (please check with individual shows for details) and parking will continue to be available at Congress St. and I-10 frontage road (West side), open daily 8am-8pm.
• Daily fee for most lots (public and private) is $5.
• Additional downtown parking is available in numerous locations. For more parking information, call ParkWise at 520-791-5071 during business hours, Monday-Friday.

Downtown Construction

• There will be construction during the show as Tucson prepares for its SunLink Modern Streetcar, and delays and inconvenience should be minimal.
• Please see the Tucson Modern Streetcar website for more information, and download this PDF map for best routes to navigate downtown.

Gem Show Guides

• When visiting gem shows, look for our newly branded information racks containing the following free information from the Tucson CVB and partners: Official Gem Guide, the Visit Tucson Official Travel Guide, the new Uniquely Tucson Destination Downtown guide, and gem show shuttle maps.
• For guests’ convenience, scan the QR code on the rack for quick access to the official Gem Show website.
• The Tucson CVB distributes the only “Official” guide to the Tucson Gem Mineral & Fossil Showcase. Information is all-inclusive, accurate and continuously updated online at tucsongemshow.org
• A PDF of the Official Gem Guide is available for download on tucsongemshow.org
• The printed gem show guide is available at all show locations, the Tucson Visitor Center, Tucson International Airport, Tucson Convention Center, select City offices such as Parkwise, and from the concierge at area hotels.

Gem Show Hotline

• The Tucson CVB will again help host the “gem-show hotline”, 520-622-GEMS
• Hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday – Friday, February 2-17
• Outside of these hours, the line will roll over to the City of Tucson’s non-emergency 911 number. This means visitors will be able to reach a representative for assistance any time of day.
• Visitors may also obtain personal assistance at the Tucson Visitor Center, in La Placita Village, seven days a week.

Welcome Program

• The MTCVB Welcome Program spans nearly 300 businesses across the metro area with colorful window clings, information tables and special offers by select merchants and CVB partners.

Economic Impact and Factoids

• The Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase attracts tens of thousands of buyers, collectors, dealers, curators and guests forthe premier event of its kind in the world.
• Dozens ofshows at varied locations and venues throughout metropolitan Tucson make up the Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase.
• Centerpieces of the showcase include the American Gem Trade Association‘s (AGTA) wholesale-only AGTA GemFair Tucson, at Tucson Convention Center, and the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society‘s (TGMS) public show (the show that started it all in 1955), also at Tucson Convention Center.
• Other shows take place in hotels, conference centers, and temporary tents, from one end of town to another.
• Future Dates: February 1-16, 2014, January 31-February 15, 2015
• Estimated attendance: 55,000
• Estimated economic impact: $100 million* (*Read the 2007 Economic Impact Report)

Misc

• Gem Show Frequently Asked Questions
• History of the Gem Show
• Gems & Minerals year-round

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013 at 2:47 pm and is filed under Travel & Tourism. Tags for this post: City of Tucson, Fossil, Gem, Gem Show, Gem Show Hotline, Gem Show Shuttle, Mineral, MTCVB, Pima County, Real Gems, Showcase, State of Arizona, Tucson Gem Show, Visit Tucson. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.