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“Whether its local community organizations like the Chamber of Commerce or Rotary Club, or industry events like trade shows, there are many sources already in existence that provide retailers the business support needed to help their businesses,” explains Jeff Unger, Alisa Unger Designs/B & N Jewelry. “For the manufacturer, however, similar resources have not existed – until now. During our first summit, attendees were able to learn from each other by discussing similar business challenges and experiences, and left with actionable suggestions from those who already had solutions.”
“At SJTA, our goal is to ensure that we’re offering the professional development support, the marketing information, as well as the business building tools required to survive and thrive in any economic climate – to both the retailer and to the manufacturer,” explains Carol Young, SJTA, producers and managers of the semi annual Atlanta Jewelry Show. “We know this gathering is just the beginning of jewelry manufacturer think tanks, and we were pleased to have the opportunity to help develop such an important forum.”
Sponsored by Dunbar Armored, IJB, USA/Wexler, InStore magazine, Malca Amit, and SJTA/The Atlanta Jewelry Show, the summit featured workshop style sessions led by business and jewelry industry experts such as Dr. Terry Dockery of the Business Psychology Company, who presented “How to Make Yourself and Your Business Recession Proof,” and by The Neilson Company, who hosted a session on current consumer buying habits and their impact on retailing and manufacturing. Additional roundtable discussions covered a variety of topics, and those that generated the strongest feedback included how to handle terms/credit, stock balancing and the decline of jewelry sales representatives entering the industry.
Participating manufacturers included: Alisa Unger Designs/B&N, AuraBella Italia, Benchmark Rings, Color Merchants, Inc., David Connolly, Inc./Engle Brothers, Dick Abbott/The Edge, IJB, USA/ Wexler Imperial, InStore magazine, Lieberfarb, Mohans, Inc., Ostbye & Anderson, Sara Blaine, Simon Golub, Eggstravaganza.
Plans are currently underway for the next vendor summit and details and dates will be announced soon. For more information about participating or additional details on the recently concluded event, contact Jeff Unger at 770-578-8745 or e-mail jeff@bnjewelry.com.
