INSTORE IS PLEASED to announce our distinguished group of 12 judges for the 2023 America’s Coolest Stores contest.
They drew on their knowledge of the jewelry industry as well as their particular expertise in marketing, architecture, store design and business operations to select this year’s winners.
Six top winners and 10 honorable mention stores in two categories will be announced and celebrated, during the INSTORE Show’s Play It Cool party, scheduled 6-8:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13 in Rosemont, IL. The news will be released on INSTOREMAG.com that week, as well. Visit theinstoreshow.com to register for the INSTORE Show 2023 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Aug. 13-15.
The Play It Cool party will feature drinks, appetizers and the Ron Harris Music Group — a favorite of past SMART Jewelry Show attendees — with their fun mix of Motown, disco, 80s/90s and contemporary music.
Judges for this year include:
Jesse R. Balaity, owner of Balaity Property Enhancement, is a project designer and manager with 20 years of experience in the fields of retail, mixed-use, and hospitality design. After earning a Masters in Architecture from Tulane University, Mr. Balaity contributed to the New Orleans firms Barron + Toups and Trapolin Architects. In Sarasota, FL, he designed museum, retail, and hospitality projects with The ADP Group before launching Balaity Property Enhancement in 2009.
balaity.com
Elizabeth Brewer, a jewelry industry veteran, is the trade show manager for the Diamond Council of America (DCA). She has held key positions at Brown+Partners, deBoulle Jewelers and The American Trade Association. Elizabeth holds a degree from the University of Mississippi and is currently persuing her G.G. at the Gemological Institute of America.
dcalearning.org
Jackie Brooks, owner of Bottom Line Marketing, believes in independent retailers and lives to help them evolve and grow to meet ever-changing customer expectations. With over 100 retail and wholesale clients in the jewelry industry and a team of educated, savvy and motivated marketing ninjas, Jackie is an expert at finding the voice, brand personality and marketing mix to make her client’s store the destination.
bottomlinemarketing.com
Megan Crabtree is the founder and CEO of Crabtree Consulting. With deep roots in the industry and over two decades of experience, she brings extensive leadership, successfully growing sales to unprecedented numbers for high-volume manufacturers and independent jewelry retailers alike. She has a knack for creating growth opportunities and has become known for her unique approach to leveraging data to improve marketing strategies.
crabtreeadvisory.com
Kathleen Cutler is a speaker, author and the CEO of Kathleen Cutler Strategy, who specializes in creating online jewelry storefronts using her Bespoke Commerce system. With a degree from the GIA and experience as a bench jeweler and salesperson in high-end boutiques, Cutler spends her time consulting behind the scenes of high-end jewelry stores.
kathleencutler.com
Gabrielle Grazi is vice-president of retail strategy and partnerships for the Natural Diamond Council, where she leads a program designed for jewelry retailers across North America who share the mission in amplifying consumer desirability for the modern diamond dream.
gabrielle@naturaldiamonds.com
Larry Johnson heads his own display consulting firm specializing in helping independent jewelers improve their sales by implementing better visual merchandising techniques. He is the author of The Complete Guide to Effective Jewelry Display.
larryjohnsonconsulting.com
Marie McCarthy has had a lifelong commitment to adornment as illustrated by her 20-plus year-old tattoo and piercing studio, Rose Gold’s, and her 20-plus years retail experiences including Fiat Lux and making her own line of jewelry. She combines the conventional and unconventional to create an entirely new consumer experience. Fiat Lux is the 2022 winner of the America’s Coolest Stores Contest in the Small category.
fiatluxsf.com
Leslie McGwire has over 35 years in business development with interior design in retail and jewelry-based businesses. With true passion for business, design in the jewelry and retail industries, Leslie McGwire & Associates is an award-winning design team with a natural fit for fulfilling the client’s needs.
lesliemcgwire.com
Rebecca Rau is the vice president of acquisitions at M.S. Rau in New Orleans and a fourth-generation owner of the family-run company. She is a luxury and art market expert with degrees from NYU, San Francisco Art Institute, and Sotheby’s Institute, London. M.S. Rau is the 2022 winner of the America’s Coolest Stores contest in the Big category.
rauantiques.com
Meredith Seeds brings a strategic and artistic approach to her role as director of interior design at Reztark Design Studio in Cincinnati. Prior to her current position she was a senior creative director and retail studio leader responsible for the creation of innovative retail design concepts and experiences.
reztark.com
Meg Terry graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in architecture. After almost two decades with DP3 Architects, she serves as principal and CMO. As CMO, Meg is focused on developing strategic partnerships related to community, higher education, interiors, multi-unit and restaurant projects.
dp3architects.com
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