ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the central event in the Polish amber industry, an annual international tradeshow called Amberif. Archaeological evidence shows that workshops specialising in amber art in Gdansk date back to at least the tenth century. The research also investigated how the modern Polish amber industry continues the tradition of amber crafting in a globalising economy while working towards proving to the world that Gdansk is the international capital of amber art. Amberif is a professionally organised annual trade show with a focus on amber products. The layout of the two levels physically separated the larger companies on the ground floor from the individual artists on the upper level. The four days of Amberif were filled with special events as well as the actual business of buying and selling amber. In talking with people before, during, and after the trade show, it became clear that Amberif is the highlight of the amber industry's year between businesses.
