Registration information and form

Excitement builds for
MJA event

continued from page 1

Jewelers: if you’ve been too busy to relax or have much fun yet this summer, hold on. It’s only a short wait until Diamonds by the Bay: An intimate showing and getaway.

The new Michigan Jewelers Association event will be held in Traverse City September 12-14, and it promises to be a whole new experience.

“After many months of hard work and planning, the MJA Board of Directors is proud to offer this intimate showing and getaway,” said MJA President Kevin Kiska, of Kiska Jewelers in Grosse Pointe Farms. “Our directors have tremendous enthusiasm for the new format.”

The MJA event offers one last summer getaway in beautiful northwest Michigan before the rigors of the fall season begin. Members will headquarter at the stylish Park Place Hotel in Traverse City’s enchanting downtown, a location that provides ample opportunities for sampling local wines and gourmet foods, unique shopping, spectacular golf, world-class beaches, leisurely and rugged hiking—in short, the ultimate northwest Michigan summer adventure.

“I’m looking forward to meeting my colleagues here in Traverse City. We are expecting a great time,” said George Wildman, of Federico’s Design Jewelry in Traverse City. “Downtown is hot this summer: lots of new restaurants, lots of remodeled stores, not to mention all the outdoor possibilities—Traverse City is better than ever.”

The event was designed with Michigan jewelers in mind, according to Jim Fiebig, owner of Fiebig Jewelers in Sturgis and second vice president of the MJA board.

“From past events we know that our members are knowledgeable and interested in furthering their education, so this event features exceptional professional development opportunities, along with many chances to network and learn from each other,” said Fiebig.

“Choosing what may be the most desirable area in the state ought to be a big draw too. There’s plenty to do, but also plenty of freedom to choose how to spend your time at this getaway weekend event.”

“Jewelry retail is and always has been a relationship business,” said Fiebig. “But with the huge shows, it’s easy to lose track of relationships and spend hours roaming from booth to booth. We want to reawaken and revitalize those crucial relationships—both between retailers and vendors, and among retailers themselves.”

A golf outing on Friday at the Grand Traverse Resort’s newest Gary Player signature course, the Wolverine, starts things off. The course is in great shape and excellent for all levels of players, according to Wildman. That evening, attendees can mingle and meet at a welcome reception at the hotel.

Saturday’s schedule offers a bit of everything. The morning will feature two sessions of professional development seminars, with industry experts speaking on everything from keeping your smile in a tough economy to understanding the legal intricacies of jewelry retail.

The afternoon will allow attendees to browse the secured Vendor Hospitality Floor, where a select list of suppliers can get to know members and discuss jewelry needs for the coming seasons without the pressures of the traditional show floor.

“Some vendors can see only dollars and cents,” said Fiebig. “For this showing we sought vendors who understand dollars and sense—and with that sense comes greater sales.”

An afternoon wine-tasting pre-reception on the vendor floor will showcase the best in local and regional wines. During a reception early Saturday evening, trainers from the Diamond Promotion Service (DPS) will offer an informal presentation; an elegant dinner will cap off the day.

Sunday morning will begin with the Jewelers Breakfast, where winners of the Jewelry Design Contest will receive their awards.

Following the breakfast, participants can choose another professional development session or spend more time on the Vendor Hospitality floor before the event adjourns, around noon.

The event’s planners are pleased to have found a diverse, talented and expert line-up of speakers.

Bob Olmstead, of Wild Retailers in Austin, Texas, has helped hundreds of executives, entrepreneurs, employees, managers, owners, non-profits and others remain competitive despite the difficult circumstances all business have faced in the current economy. He has written for Instore Magazine and other trade publications.

Cecilia Gardner is executive director and general counsel of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC), as well as general counsel to the World Diamond Council, an international association whose purpose is to end the trade in conflict diamonds. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Women’s Jewelry Association and serves on the AGTA Gemological Testing Center Board of Governors and as a director of the United States Kimberley Process Authority Institute.

Kate Peterson, of Performance Concepts, has over 25 years experience in jewelry retailing, in every capacity of management, operations and training. She is a member of the Board of Governors of the Jewelers’ Education Foundation of the American Gem Society and the Board of Directors of the Diamond Council of America.

Mike Sabo and Jay Lell, of DPS, both have extensive experience in jewelry retail. Lell is a graduate gemologist and former instructor of the Gemology Institute of America who combines his training acumen in sales and marketing with an extensive jewelry product knowledge background.

Sabo was vice president of sales for William Schneider Jewelry Inc. before joining DPS in 1996. A member of the Missouri Jewelers Association Board of Directors, he enjoys helping retail jewelers become successful diamond merchants, using his expertise in sales and marketing.

A panel discussion featuring five members of the MJA board will provide an opportunity to hear leading retailers share their success stories. Panelists include George Wildman; Jim Fiebig; Becky Beauchine Kulka, of Becky Beauchine Kulka, Inc. in Okemos; Barbara Binkley, of Cooper & Binkley Jewelers in Brighton; Gerry Klaver, of Posts Jewelry in Holland.

MJA members should have received a Diamonds by the Bay brochure and registration information in the mail. For another copy or for more information, contact Amy Jolley at 517-372-5656 or ajolley@retailers.com.

Registration information and form

Return to July/August Michigan Retailer Page one • MRA home

Wanted: jewelry designers

If you’re a designer of fine jewelry, it’s time to show off your talent. The 14th Annual Michigan Jewelers Association Jewelry Design Competition is underway, and entry forms and jewelry must be received between August 18 and August 22.

The MJA Jewelry Design Contest is nationally recognized, drawing entries from talented jewelry designers across the state.

As an entrant, you’ll compete for awards with other artists and professionals in your category, and your work may be featured in trade publications.

Awards are given in two categories—Individual Goldsmith and Goldsmith/Manufacturer—and in two divisions, based on the retail value of the piece. Additional awards given include the Judges’ Choice and the Spectral Award, which represents the “People’s Choice” and is sponsored by Spectral Gems of Birmingham, Michigan.

In addition, the winner of the Judges’ Choice Award will be entered into the “JA Affiliate Design Competition.”

Awards will be presented at the Jewelers Breakfast, Sunday, September 14, during the Diamonds by the Bay event in Traverse City.

MJA members should have received a brochure that provides detailed rules of entry and an entry form in the mail. For another brochure or more information, contact Kammy Johns at 800.366.3699, ext. 1205, or by e-mail at kjohns@retailers.com.