Press Releases

Portland Jewelry Symposium Set for October

Published

7 years ago

August 16, 2017

INSTORE Staff

It will celebrate its 10th anniversary.

(Press Release) PORTLAND, OR — The Portland Jewelry Symposium will celebrate its 10th Anniversary with the theme “Future Think: Innovate, Create, & Thrive.” The annual event, being held on Oct. 1 and 2 in Portland, will kick off with a Sunday night Keynote Dinner and Address by jewelry industry veteran Peter Smith. Smith, CEO of Vibhor and a columnist for National Jeweler, The Jewelry Book and the World Diamond Magazine will share thoughts from his 2016 article in National Jeweler, “What Will Become of Retail Jewelry Stores?”

“Given the rapid evolution we are experiencing in both retail business models and manufacturing technologies, it is very timely
for the Symposium to take a deep dive into the innovative business models of tomorrow,” said founder Teresa Frye. “Beginning with our Keynote Address and continuing across all presentations and bench demonstrations, we endeavor to create a sense of the visionary at this year’s event.”

Rounding out the Future Think program will be talks by digital manufacturing expert Kevin Abernathy of BisVentures; Social
media guru Peggy Jo Donahue and her tech-savvy panel featuring custom jewelers Calla Gold, Wendy Brandes and lisa
Krikawa; retail business expert Becka Johnson Kibby of Edge Retail, responsible sourcing authority; Monica Stephenson of
idazzle and Anza Gems; and specialist in XRF analytics technology Jennifer Caban of Olympus.

Other presentations feature goldsmith and inventor Phil Poirier of Bonny Doon Engineering, designer Annie Koenig of Annie K
& Motorhead Jewelry, gemstone carver Sherris Cottier Shank of Gemscapes and bench expert Kristi Broussard of Stuller. A
full line-up of the sessions and schedule can be found at www.portlandjewelrysymposium.com.

Sponsors for the event include TechForm Advanced Casting Technology, Stuller, Platinum Guild, Solidscape, Rio Grande, MJSA,
Johnson Matthey, Otto Frei, Instore Magazine, Metalsmith Magazine, United Precious Metals Refining, Envisiontec, Hoover
and Strong, Cad Blu, Red Sky Plating, A3DM Technologies and the Santa Fe Symposium.

This Third-Generation Jeweler Was Ready for Retirement. He Called Wilkerson

Retirement is never easy, especially when it means the end to a business that was founded in 1884. But for Laura and Sam Sipe, it was time to put their own needs first. They decided to close J.C. Sipe Jewelers, one of Indianapolis’ most trusted names in fine jewelry, and call Wilkerson. “Laura and I decided the conditions were right,” says Sam. Wilkerson handled every detail in their going-out-of-business sale, from marketing to manning the sales floor. “The main goal was to sell our existing inventory that’s all paid for and turn that into cash for our retirement,” says Sam. “It’s been very, very productive.” Would they recommend Wilkerson to other jewelers who want to enjoy their golden years? Absolutely! “Call Wilkerson,” says Laura. “They can help you achieve your goals so you’ll be able to move into retirement comfortably.”