Articles and News
Industry News: PGI Competition Deadline; Edge Adds Two Experts; JBT Names Board April 02, 2014 (0 comments)
Deadline Nears For Platinum Innovation Awards
New York, NY—The deadline to enter the 2014 Platinum Innovation Awards is April 10, with live product due to Platinum Guild International (PGI) by April 25 for the Round One judging by editors. The awards will be held at JCK Las Vegas, May 30 through June 1 at Mandalay Bay. (The 2013 Best in Show, by Sylvie Designs, is shown left).
Click here for more information and to enter.
Edge Retail Academy Adds Two New Industry Experts To Its Team
Las Vegas, NV—The Edge Retail Academy has added renowned jewelry industry specialists Larry Johnson and Grant Walsh to its mentoring team. Owners of their own respected consulting firms, Johnson and Walsh will add to the Academy’s expertise in the areas of merchandise display and succession planning.
Johnson is the founder of Larry Johnson Consulting Services and author of The Complete Guide to Effective Jewelry Display. He has presented seminars on the subject at industry tradeshows, and been a featured columnist in INSTORE and Canadian Jeweller. As a business mentor for the Edge Retail Academy, Johnson will provide a case-by-case analysis of a jeweler’s displays, offering specific strategies that will sell more merchandise at better margins.
Grant Walsh is the founder of Walsh Family Business Advisory Services and director and founder of KPMG Enterprise Centre for Family Business in Ottawa, Canada. He frequently writes articles on family business, and has authored publications on the challenges of multi-generational succession. A proven expert in management and ownership succession for over 17 years, he helps family-owned jewelry retailers develop plans that improve the economic growth of their business and promote family harmony.
His role on The Edge Retail Academy team will be to help families assess their readiness for transition, identify options for management and ownership, develop a wealth planning program, and implement ‘Codes of Conduct’ to prevent potential conflict and ensure a successful transition to future generations.
JBT Holds Elections; Announces Board And Slate of Officers
Warwick, RI—The Jewelers Board of Trade announces the election of the following officers and directors to its board. Serving a one-year term:
- Chairman: Richard Weisenfeld, Pranda North America, Inc., Cranston, RI
- First Vice-Chairman: Todd Wolleman, Leo Wolleman, Inc., New York, NY
- Second Vice-Chairman: Michael L. Kaplan, Rocket Jewelry Box, Inc., Bronx, NY
- President: Dione D. Kenyon
- Secretary: Brenda M. Pimentel
- Treasurer: Alisa D. Dumond
Richard Weisenfeld is the organization’s first second-generation board chair, having been preceded by his father, the late Mort Weisenfeld, JBT Chairman from 1984-1985.
Re-elected for two years are:
- Ann S. Arnold, Arnold Advisory Group, LLC, Norwood, NJ (also appointed to JBT executive committee)
- Anthony J. Capuano, HSBC Bank USA, N.A., Rehoboth, MA
- Edward N. DeCristofaro, LDC, Inc., E. Providence, RI
- Philip Holden, The Gordon Company, Inc., Ft. Lauderdale, FL
- Basant Johari, Kuber Manufacturing, Inc., New York, NY
- Roderick H. Lichtenfels, W. R. Cobb Company, E. Providence, RI
- Richard Weisenfeld, Pranda North America, Inc., Cranston, RI
- Todd Wolleman, Leo Wolleman, Inc., New York, NY
- Elected to the Advisory Board for two years were Richard Greenwood, A. F. Greenwood Co., Inc., New York, and F. Daniel Pharr, Pharr Valuation & Business Svcs. LLC, Richmond, VA
- Remaining on the board in their terms are:
- Phyllis Bergman, Mercury Ring (Div. of Interjewel USA, Inc.), New York, NY
- Brian D. Fleming, Carla Corporation, E. Providence, RI
- Kevin Green, Seiko Corporation of America, Mahwah, NJ
- Michael L. Kaplan, Rocket Jewelry Box, Inc., Bronx, NY
- Richard Katz, Samuel Aaron, Inc., Long Island City, NY
- Richard LeStage, LeStage Manufacturing Company, Attleboro Falls, MA
- Avi Raz, A & Z Pearls, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
- Pinny Rubin, Quality Gold Inc., Fairfield, OH
Basel Diamond Show Exhibitors Applaud as Show Closes
Basel, Switzerland—The Diamond Show drew hundreds of diamond buyers and 70 exhibitors from American, Belgian, Hong Kong, U.K., Israeli and Indian diamond manufacturing and trading centers to the iconic Markthalle venue here.
The exclusive focus of the show on diamonds and diamantaires created a special “diamond community atmosphere” and exhibitors broke out in spontaneous applause and whistles as the show came to a close.
“We are extremely pleased with the overall number of visitors that attended our event and the level of activity recorded. The atmosphere at the show was very special. For a few days this week, the show created a family community of diamantaires who enjoyed each other’s company as they traded diamonds. We are proud that our show was truly up to the standard of the magnificent diamonds offered for sale,” said Mordy Rapaport, Director of Rapaport Exhibitions, show organizer. Next year’s “The Diamond Show – Basel 2015” will be March 19, 20, 22 and 23. The show will again be closed on Saturday due to the Jewish Sabbath. For more information, potential exhibitors contact: info@thediamondshow.net and visitors contact: visitor@thediamondshow.net.
