Below if information on: The Women In The Know Conference West presented by the Women's Jewelry Association on Friday, August 15, 2008. Please watch this page for full details or visit www.womensjewelry.org or call WJA headquarters at 708-361-6266, or click here to download the full brochure.

2008 Conference Information

A Great Educational Opportunity for Retail Jewelers!

WJA WOMEN IN THE KNOW CONFERENCE

Friday, August 15, 2008, Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, Los Angeles, California

TO SIGN UP, VISIT www.womensjewelry.org OR CALL WJA HEADQUARTERS AT 708-361-6266

Cost (before July 15) including all sessions, lunch and post-conference cocktail reception is $170 for WJA Members, $195 for non-members.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

9am – 10am
Morning Keynote Presentation: Hearts on Fire – The Branddaddy of Diamonds
Susan Rothman, Co-Founder, Hearts On Fire®
From peddling Moroccan leather goods on the streets of Boston to creating the world’s most recognized and successful diamond jewelry brands, the Hearts On Fire® story is a remarkable one. Susan Rothman will share how she and her husband Glenn got their business education early on in the leather and fashion industry, paving the way to a career as diamantaires, and ultimately rocking the diamond world with Hearts On Fire. You’ll hear first-hand how they came to differentiate their company with Hearts On Fire; the tagline, The World’s Most Perfectly Cut Diamond,® and the unique value proposition that supports it all. You’ll hear how they put their heart and soul in the business and put their savings on the line. Listen closely, because from entrepreneurship and implementation to branding and merchandising, the Hearts On Fire story isn’t fairytale it’s textbook.

10am – 11am
General Session Presentation: Marketing Luxury
Laurie Hudson, Partner, Luxury Brand Group
Ernest Hemingway said, “The rich are different from you and me.” But the truth is, they’re not just different from us — they’re different from each other. Today’s luxury consumer ranges from “baby boomers” to trust-fund babies. So, what is the best way to capitalize on those with all the capital? Laurie Hudson will share her experience and perspective on this ever-evolving luxury market. Whether you’re selling a thousand dollar ring or a hundred thousand dollar ring, a page from Laurie’s playbook is worth reading, highlighting, and making notes in the margins.

11-11:15 Break

11:15-12:15 Breakout Sessions (Each session will run once in the morning from 11:15am – 12:15pm and once in the afternoon from 2:45pm – 3:45pm, giving participants the opportunity to attend 2 breakout sessions.)

BREAKOUT SESSIONS OPTIONS:
Option 1) Marketing to Moms
Maria T. Bailey, Founder and CEO, BlueSuitMom.com
THIS SESSION OFFERED IN THE MORNING ONLY
Every year moms spend approximately 2.1 trillion dollars on everything from diamonds to diapers. They shop for themselves, their children, their home, and their business. And they love talking about what they bought, where they bought it, how much they paid, and how much they saved. We know this – and them. Heck, we are them! So, how come we have trouble marketing to moms? Hear how you can get your share of the trillion dollar mom market!

Option 2) INKED: The Art of Press and Publicity
Amy Levy, President, Amy Levy Public Relations
“If a tree falls in the woods and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” If you know anything about PR, you know the answer is no. Whether you are launching a new line, opening a new store, managing a crisis or staff change or have gotten a celebrity to wear your earrings on the red carpet, you have an opportunity to secure editorial space in the press about your company. Amy Levy, will share her proven strategies to help you reach your target audience, raise consciousness levels about your jewelry designs or business and secure features in magazines.

Option 3) Making Your Metal – and Your Money – Go Further
Mark Maxwell, CMBJ, Jewelry Design and Manufacturing Instructor, The Gemological Institute of America
Vilma Vallillee, Ph.D., School of Business Professor, The Gemological Institute of America

At the time of this writing, gold is up to $923 oz. with platinum hitting $2016. And the next time I hear the phrase “all time high,” I think I’ll hit an all-time low. In this unique tag-team presentation Mark Maxwell and Vilma Vallillee will tell you how to make your most of your metal and your money. They’ll cover everything from designing for weight and alternative materials to protecting your cash flow and pricing strategies. Just think: you’re getting two of GIA’s renowned instructors for the price of one. See, it’s all about economies of scale.

Option 4) Surviving the Sandwich
Alan Robbins, CLU, ChFC, CFP, Investment Specialist, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network
A recent survey found that more than 60% of us either are or expect to care for a parent or relative. With our parents growing old and our kids growing up, we find ourselves stuck in the middle. They call this phenomenon the “sandwich generation” and it doesn’t take long to realize that taking care of everyone else really takes its toll. Find out what you can do now to prepare for the simultaneous financial and emotional demands.

Option 5) Adventures in Gemstone Mining
Edward Boehm, President, JOEB Enterprises & Laboratory Services
For most jewelry professionals, gemstones are a phone call or tradeshow away. But for Edward Boehm, they’re about 8,000 miles, 3 plane changes, and 1 shower in 2 ½ days – away. They’re in the eastern ranges of the Andes, the remote corners of Minas Gerais, and along the mountainous Mogok terrain. And he wouldn’t have it any other way. Grandson of his namesake, Edward J. Gübelin, and renowned international gemstone buyer in his own right, Edward is one part white-collar professional, and three parts Indiana Jones. Through amazing stories that will literally transport you, Edward will explain the culture and the commerce of gemstone mining. So, sit down and buckle up, because we’re going to cover a lot of territory, and it just could get rocky.

12:15pm - 1:30pm LUNCH AND NETWORKING

1:30pm -2:30pm
Afternoon Keynote Presentation: Innovative Solutions for Everyday Challenges
Maria T. Bailey, Founder and CEO, BlueSuitMom.com
It’s the night of your daughter’s dance recital and you get sent on a business trip. Or that “to do” list you create every Monday is longer, not shorter, by Friday. And how come we’re always running — late. Plus, ever try getting your kids to school on time and yourself to work on time? What is the best way, and time, to tell your boss you’re pregnant? Oh, and what are we having for dinner tonight? Maria T. Bailey is the Founder and CEO of BlueSuitMom.com, the mother of four and a former Fortune 100 executive. Maria has made it her mission to provide the information and tools women need to help balance their family responsibilities while maintaining a career. Named “One of America’s Best Work/Life Balance Resources” Maria will share innovative solutions for everyday challenges. Don’t be late.
2:30pm – 2:45pm Break
2:45pm-3:45pm Breakout Sessions

3:45pm -4:00pm Break
4:00pm – 5:00pm Award for Excellence Presentation

Hear from our Women of Excellence. Find out what they did, how they did it, and if they’d do it all again.

Award for Excellence Recipients
Erica Courtney, Jewelry Designer
Susan Elliot, Dean of Students, The Gemological Institute of America
Victoria Gomelsky, Editor, Couture International Jeweler
Jeanne Larson, Executive Director, The Collector Fine Jewelry

5:00pm – 6:00pm Cocktail Reception