(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK — In light of the rapidly spreading Omicron variant of COVID-19, the Board of Directors of the 24 Karat Club of the City of New York have decided to postpone the Club’s 2022 Banquet by two months, from Saturday, January 14 to Saturday, March 19, 2022. The Banquet will be held at its same venue, Cipriani South Street, the newly renovated historic 1906 Beaux Arts Battery Maritime Building that now serves as a premier event space in the city.
All other industry events traditionally taking place the same weekend, including Jewelers of America’s annual GEM Awards, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance’s and Jewelers Vigilance Committee’s annual luncheons, and various other meetings, also have been postponed or changed to virtual events. The Gem Awards will be held Friday, March 18, and both JVC and JSA will hold their respective luncheons in person on Friday and Saturday, March 18 and 19.
“While we had all hoped the pandemic would be behind us by now and we could again gather to celebrate, the safety of our members and guests is paramount. For this reason, the Board felt it prudent to postpone the banquet by two months,” says Club chairman Bobby Kempler. Kempler also noted this is the first time in 100 years that the historic Banquet will be held on a date other than its traditional January weekend.
For information about the Banquet, contact John Kennedy, 24K Club Secretary, jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org.