SUN CITY WEST, AUG 12, 2006 - Kicking off preparations for an exciting holiday season the Arizona Jewelers Association will hold its annual convention at the Arrowhead Country Club. With exciting guest speakers, a dazzling design competition, and several exciting announcements this year's convention is already drawing a lot of interest. Lasting from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. this year's convention is projected to be larger and more exciting than last years.
This year's event will feature six speakers flown in from around the country for this one-day event. The speakers will include the Editor in Chief of Professional Jeweler Magazine, Mike Mallow; Don Kay, the owner of Mason Kay Jade, one of the top Jade experts in the world; Ofer Goren, of International Diamond Exchange or IDEX Online, the only global, real-time and neutral diamond marketplace; Jay Lell, Former Training Director for two of the nation's top diamond grading groups, and now a Director of Training for Rappaport, Jay Lell will be speaking on quality customer service; and several more topics. Annual attendee from Flagstaff, Pete Wolff says, "At this convention, every jeweler can learn something to make them better."
Besides speakers, there will be a highly competitive design competition. Last year Treasures of Glendale captured the Best of Show prize for their third year running. This year there appears to be some superb designers gunning for the Best of Show prize. Each year the Best of Show prize is awarded to the design with the most votes from all the jewelers attending. The other ten awards are awarded by a panel of judges assembled by the AJA board. This years panel includes an art teacher, a TV personality, a Cardinals Cheerleader, a leading industry gem dealer, as well as a leading diamond dealer, and one of the state's top appraisers.
At the convention, the AJA will also launch their new website portal for both consumers and AJA members. The website will provide useful tips for consumers on buying and caring for their jewelry as well as a Search Tool for AJA jewelry stores. The AJA members will have access to various newsletters, alerts, and a forum to discuss a variety of topics and keep in touch with one another.
