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Industry News: GIA Moves In NY, Launches Kids’ Website; MJSA Announces Expo Seminars, More February 19, 2014 (0 comments)
Michael J. Belleveau, Longtime Executive, Launches Consultancy For Luxury Businesses
Skillman, NJ—Michael J. Belleveau, a former CEO and executive at luxury companies such as Cartier, Bvlgari, Baccarat, and Swiss Army, has launched MJB Associates, a consulting business to serve the luxury jewelry and watch industry.
With a focus on growing top-line sales, Belleveau offers expertise in distribution management and expansion (including e-commerce and cross-channel conflicts between branded retail and wholesale aspects of business), sales force optimization, and retail sell-through and owned retail management.
He can perform customer base and sales force coverage analysis including financial evaluation of an independent vs. fully employed sales team, and geographical locations and territory boundaries; wholesale customer management, including maximization of national accounts, retailer and consumer promotions, integration of national accounts with independents and retailer marketing, co-op concepts and management; analysis of distribution opportunities and new sales channels, and sales force training. He also can offer expertise in e-commerce integration, interaction with brick & mortar business, and all aspects of branded retail development, including juxtaposition with wholesale business, market positioning and potential physical locations, and retail standards and KPI measurement.
For information, contact MJB Associates via email: belleveau@att.net or call (917) 375-1469.
GIA To Temporarily Suspend Rush Service In NY Lab
New York, NY—In preparation for its relocation to the International Gem Tower (50 W 47 Street), GIA’s New York laboratory will suspend its rush or same-day service, and “48-hour Identification Report Express Services” from March 3 to March 21. The lab anticipates resuming both services on Monday, March 24, but warns that date is subject to change. Clients are asked to please check with the Client Service Department for updates; (212) 221-5858 ext. 3724 or NYCSR@gia.edu.
Separately, GIA announces the launch of its new GemKids website (image at top of page). The interactive site, geared to students age nine to 12, is user-friendly for both desktop and mobile devices and features gemstone facts, a glossary, and tools for educators to use. The lessons are adapted from GIA’s Junior Gemologist program, which offers 10-15 year-old students the opportunity to discover the world of gemology through hands-on, practical training.
The “Gem Explorer” section of the site highlights 15 popular gems, such as diamond, ruby and pearl, with information about each, including fun facts about color, history and lore, name origin, image galleries, a location map, and micrographs of the gem under different microscope magnification levels. The “Find My Gem” feature lets students explore different gems based on their birthday, favorite color, or by country of origin. Additional gems will be added on an ongoing basis.
Common gemological and geological terms are defined in the “Gem Glossary,” which also offers an audio pronunciation and descriptive image for each entry. Parents and educators can use the “Classroom Guides” to prepare interactive programs on gemology, geology, and birthstones, or to prepare Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for earning a merit badge.
MJSA Expo NY Announces Seminars, Workshops for 2014 Show
North Attleboro, MA—MJSA has announced its slate of speakers for MJSA Expo New York, to be held March 9-11 at the Hilton New York. Along with its seminar series, the association has also planned MJSA Journal LIVE, a two-day series of demonstrations, one-on-one consultations, and presentations by some of the business leaders, authors, and master jewelers who have appeared in its pages. With insights into tools and techniques, business, inventory, and marketing management.
Featured presenters include:
- Joel McFadden of Joel McFadden Designs, who will conduct a three-part series of Jewelry Making 101 demonstrations on stone setting, sponsored by the MJSA Education Foundation with bench and tool sponsor Stuller, Inc.
- Jewelry makers and designers Elizabeth Garvin and Gary Dawson to coach attendees on bench business tips and repairing and repurposing jewelry.
- Business coaches include Andrea Hill of StrategyWerx, consultant Marlene Richey, Ann Arnold of Arnold Advisory Group LLC, Matthew Perosi of JewelerWebsites.com, Eugene Brill of Jewelry.com, and Cindy Edelstein of Jeweler’s Resource Bureau, for one-on-one sessions on basic business operations issues, online marketing, photography, and merchandising a designer line.
- CAD/CAM experts Steve Adler of A3DM, Charlie Herner of Green Lake Jewelry Works, and Zsombor Antal of Best Cast.
- Casting experts J. Tyler Teague of JETT Research, Teresa Fryé of Techform, Linus Drogs of Au Enterprises; and Ted Doudak of Riva Precision Manufacturing.
On Monday, March 10, Swarovski will sponsor a full-day program of hands-on workshops, focusing on techniques for creating crystal jewelry and accessories, with Nick Regine, star of the "Professor of Crystal" educational series running on YouTube and in MJSA Journal.
MJSA’s regular seminar series, which takes places on Sunday, March 9, includes:
- Fashion Trends 2014 and Beyond. Barbara Raleigh of International Design Source Ltd., a popular speaker making a return appearance, will show fashion trends influencing jewelry for 2014 and 2015, in a lively, visual presentation.
- "Made in USA” Made Simple will explain the laws and regulations controlling "Made in USA" statements, and also present MJSA’s submission to the FTC requesting changes in the "Made in USA" rules. Speakers: Mark Hanna of Richline Group; Peggy Jo Donahue of MJSA; and Suzan Flamm of Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
- Fair Trade & Ethical Practices: What You Need to Know. A panel of speakers will discuss the adoption of responsible business practices by companies throughout jewelry supply chain, and the surge of interest in fairly mined and fairly traded gems and metals. Panelists: David Bouffard of Signet Jewelers Ltd., Torry Hoover of Hoover & Strong; Anna Bario of Bario-Neal; and Suzan Flamm of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
Click here for more information and free online registration.