(PRESS RELEASE) Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, has announced the addition of new webinars in its series geared to overcoming the business challenges presented by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Jewelers of America is dedicated to serving members and the jewelry industry at large with the tools and educational resources they need to help their business as they navigate this difficult time.
The series will cover a range of topics over the coming weeks that address the concerns that have been raised by members across the country. The next webinar will be held on Friday, March 20, at 2:00PM EDT and will feature a discussion between National Jeweler’s Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff and Jewelers Security Alliance President John Kennedy focusing on protecting your store during the Coronavirus outbreak. Upcoming webinar topics include “Keeping Your Cyber Doors Open”, “Coronavirus Outbreak: Employment Law and Business Issues” and “Social in the Time of Coronavirus”.
“Jewelers of America is dedicated to bringing the latest information to our members. The new additions to our webinar series will be critical for retail jewelers as they navigate the challenges presented by the Coronavirus and its global impact,” says JA President & CEO David J. Bonaparte.
Additional webinars include: “Employment Law & Business Issues“ with David Kaufman, Director Global Strategies and Hillary Baca, Employment Law Attorney of Nixon Peabody LLP; and “Use Social Platforms to Bond with Customers During Tough Times” with Andrè Savoie, CEO of High Level Thinkers.
View the full webinar series schedule and pre-register here. Jewelers of America has also pulled together important information and steps that your business can take to protect staff, customers and the community in JA’s Coronavirus Resource Guide for Jewelers, which can be found here.
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."
