Bill Jones, president of Sissy’s Log Cabin Fine Jewelry
(Press Release) The Jewelers Educational Conference, a regional jewelry conference and show that has been held bi-annually in suburban Kansas City, MO for 16 years, has been rebranded as the 2016 Midwest Jewelers Conference & Show. The name change – along with a move to Kansas City’s downtown Power & Light Entertainment District – was made to accentuate a restructured agenda that eliminates “slow time” for vendor-sponsors, and consolidates educational and social time for jewelers and their families. The entertainment district location also offers multiple dining and entertainment venues that are ideal for entertaining family or customers.
After scheduling the previous show in July, the MJC is moving back to its traditional spring weekend, which seems more advantageous for both vendors and jewelers. Friday, April 1 is earmarked for meetings of the state associations sponsoring the show and a time to enjoy family or customers in one or more of the 50-plus restaurants, night clubs, bars and/or unique shops in the entertainment district. Educational programming and vendor displays open Saturday morning, continue throughout the day, and conclude at midday on Sunday.
The opening keynote speaker is Bill Jones, president of the famed Sissy’s Log Cabin Fine Jewelry, with three Arkansas stores in Pine Bluff, Little Rock and Jonesboro, as well as location in Memphis, TN. Jones will share the story of how his mother, Sissy Jones, began a jewelry store in a rented log cabin and how she always made Sissy’s a family store.
Other featured speakers include:
- Terry Chandler, president of the Diamond Council of America, who will moderate a town hall-style meeting on “Diamond Grading Reports: The Jeweler’s Ticking Time Bomb”
- David Brown, president of The Edge Retail Academy, and Becka Johnson Kibby will present a series of three seminars on “Succession and The Life Cycle of Your Store”
- Doug Hucker, president of the American Gem Trade Association, will offer a seminar on “Falling In Love With Color”
- Shannon Oleen, a professional speaker and athlete (and a former cheerleader for the Kansas City Chiefs), will present a seminar on “Working With Different Generations” and a closing keynote on “Overcoming Roadblocks and Turning Your Goals Into Reality!”
For additional information or to register, visit the website for the Midwest Jewelers Conference & Show at www.midwestjewelers.org, or call 1 (800) 487-7822.
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Four Decades of Excellence: How Wilkerson Transformed a Jeweler's Retirement into Celebration
After 45 years serving the Milwaukee community, Treiber & Straub Jewelers owner Michael Straub faced a significant life transition. At 75, the veteran jeweler made a personal decision many business owners understand: "I think it's time. I want to enjoy my wife with my grandchildren for the next 10, 15 years."
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