(PRESS RELEASE) Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Cultured Pearl Association of America (CPAA) is extending the deadline for entries to its 11th Annual International Pearl Design Competition (IPDC). The new deadline for entries is Friday, Dec. 18, 2020.
The live judging portion of the contest routinely happens in a restaurant in New York City during the last week of October. However, because of COVID-19, a lack of a vaccine, and concerns surrounding indoor dining, CPAA does not feel it is safe to for judges and staff to meet in person. CPAA is extending the deadline for entries to Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. At that time, CPAA will determine a safe way to conduct live judging. CPAA apologizes if this move interferes with any plans on the part of entrants, but know that the association is concerned about the safety of individuals who participate in live judging.
For information about entering the contest, click here. To purchase an entry, click here.
A reminder: This year, the cost to enter is $175 for your first two entries. Third entries and beyond (up to five total) are $150 apiece.
Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless
When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time.
"We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them.
Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."
