Press Releases

IJO Conference Set for Aug. 13-17

It will be held at the Marriott Downtown in Kansas City, MO.

Published

3 years ago

May 31, 2021

Press Releases

(PRESS RELEASE) Plans are underway for IJO’s conference to be held Aug. 13-17 at the Marriott Downtown in Kansas City, MO. COVID restrictions have been lifted and the schedule is packed with educational seminars, networking, food and fun.

“We’ve had to cancel our last two conferences due to COVID-19,” said IJO President & CEO Jeff Roberts, “so we’re all anxious to get back together. We have such a loyal group of members and 75—80% of them attend both shows every year, so they’re as anxious as we are.”

Randy Erickson from Erickson Jewelers in Iron Mountain, MI added, “I didn’t realize how much I would miss getting together with my IJO family to learn and recharge. Now that we’re counting in weeks — 11 of them — I just can’t wait. IJO shows have a different vibe from any other, and each time I attend I return home with knowledge and ideas that help my business.”

All IJO vendors will be present and the huge buying room at the convention center will be more than accommodating. Jeff Wynkoop, Quality Gold vendor and representative to IJO’s Board of Directors, stated, “Socially, it’s been a rough ride, but we made it. I can’t wait for all of us to be together again. I miss seeing my IJO family.”

If you’re not already an IJO member and would like to learn if you’re eligible to attend, call Penny Palmer at IJO Headquarters — 800.624.9252. Or email penny@ijo.com. For eligible retailers, IJO will pay for one airline ticket and four hotel nights to enjoy the IJO experience and understand the value of membership.

You Wouldn’t Cut Your Own Hair. Why Run Your Own Retirement Sale?

After being in business for over a quarter of a century, Wayne Reid, owner of Wayne Jewelers in Wayne, Pennsylvania, decided it was time for a little “me time.” He says, “I’ve reached a point in my life where it’s time to slow down, enjoy a lot of things outside of the jewelry industry. It just seemed to be the right time.” He chose Wilkerson to handle his retirement sale because of their reputation and results. With financial goals exceeded, Reid says he made the right choice selecting Wilkerson to handle the sale. “They made every effort to push our jewelry to the forefront of the showcases,” he says, lauding Wilkerson for their finesse and expertise. Would he recommend them to other jewelers who want to make room for new merchandise, expand their business or like him, decide to call it a day? Absolutely he says, equating trying to do this kind of sale with cutting your own hair. “The results are going to happen but not as well as if you have a professional like Wilkerson do the job for you.”