AGTA NewsFlash 

May 2008

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AGTA GemFair™ Las Vegas May 29 - June 2, 2008
Jewelry professionals looking to stay on top of the current color trends cannot afford to miss the AGTA GemFair™ Cultured Pearl & Jewelry Pavilion at the JCK Las Vegas Show. The Pavilion, consisting of over 220 AGTA Members, is located in the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino Grand Ballroom adjacent to the Sand's Convention Center.

  • The AGTA GemFair™ Pavilion Opens One Day Early! The AGTA GemFair™ Pavilion opens Thursday, May 29th, one day before the main JCK Show. This is your opportunity to shop one day before the main JCK Show opens.
  • Get the first look at the best selection of colored gemstones, cultured pearls and colored gemstone jewelry setting the trends for the upcoming selling season.
  • Seminars by industry leaders will be offered on a wide array of subjects on Wednesday, May 28th and Thursday, May 29th. Hear what's new, what's hot and what's next for the jewelry in dustry!
  • Remember, the AGTA GemFair™ Pavilion opens one hour earlier than the JCK Show. Hours are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on May 29th and 9:00 am to 6:00 pm May 30th - June 2nd. Complimentary pastries and coffee are served each morning.
  • Join us on Monday, June 2nd for the Membership Meeting at 8:00 am around the Windows of Color Café.
  • AGTA GTC Mobile Laboratory. The AGTA Gemological Testing Center will have their portable lab facility onsite providing col- ored gemstone identification services. Services will include gemstone identification, gemstone origin determination, Tanza- nite Grading Reports and more. AGTA GTC reports serve as a powerful sales tool for closing colored gemstone jewelry sales.
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Attention AGTA GemFair™ Las Vegas Exhibitors
If a buyer spends $200 or more with an AGTA Member in the AGTA GemFair™ Cultured Pearl & Jewelry Pavilion, they will be eligible to get a $200 rebate off their first year’s AGTA Membership dues. AGTA exhibitors can use this to create goodwill while expanding the Membership base. Studies show that Members are more likely to shop with other Members, so encouraging buyers to become AGTA Members makes good business sense. Referral cards will be distributed to each booth at the show. As extra incentive, all firms with a referral will be entered into a drawing for an iPod at show’s end.

One of the responsibilities of being an AGTA Member is that you disclose gemstone enhancements on all commercial documents, invoices and memos. Please be sure to provide this information for your customer. Disclosure stickers, with enhancement information, will be available for purchase at the AGTA Product booth, #34700.

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Adam Graham Hired as AGTA Marketing Manager
"We are very excited to have Adam join the AGTA team," stated Douglas K. Hucker, AGTA's Chief Executive Officer. "His experience and knowledge in the jewelry industry will have a great impact in our mission to increase appreciation and demand of colored gemstones and pearls within the trade and to the consumer."

Graham is a former Vice President of the Rapaport Group and Director of Marketing for the American Gem Society. He most recently was employed by Saks Fifth Avenue as a Fine Jewelry Manager.

"I believe there is a great opportunity for the AGTA to expand its role as the Authority in Color," said Graham. "I am looking forward to the challenge of building the AGTA brand, increasing value in membership and reinforcing the advantages of doing business with AGTA member firms."

 
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AGTA GTC Adds Business Manager
Aashish Shah was recently hired as Business Manager for the AGTA GTC, New York. Originally from Mumbai, India, he has a Bachelors degree in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting and Economics. He is fluent in three major Indian languages, along with English.

Since arriving in the U.S., his interest in gemstones culminated in a Graduate Gemologist degree from the GIA. He also has the Certified Gemologist title from the AGS. Aashish spent the last eight years as a national sales manager for a wholesale diamond company. He has strong interpersonal, organizational and communication skills with a proven track record for enhancing revenues through increased sales. His technical and professional expertise as well as understanding the importance of customer relations is truly going to be an asset for the AGTA GTC.

 
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World of Gems Conference

  • September 13-14, Chicago, IL. Hyatt Regency O’Hare.
  • The conference is only $395, which includes breakfast and lunch each day plus a cocktail reception on Saturday. AGTA Members get a $50 discount.
  • This important event is being co-hosted by the AGTA Gemological Testing Center (GTC) and Gemworld International, Inc.
  • The conference theme is "Integration of Information." Attendees will be offered best practices that they can integrate into their daily business.
  • The agenda for Saturday, September 13th will cover ruby, emerald and sapphire treatment identification, pricing and disclosure.
  • Sunday, September 14th will focus on pearls, diamonds and appraising.
  • Keynote sessions by John Koivula of GIA will start off each day.
  • Moderating and leading sessions will be Richard Drucker and Stuart Robertson from Gemworld International and Dr. Lore Kiefert and Richard Hughes of the AGTA GTC.
  • Prominent industry experts participating include Robert Kane, President, Fine Gems International, Gary Roskin, Senior Editor, JCK Magazine, Ronald Ringsrud, President, Ronald Ringsrud Co., Gina Latendresse, President, American Pearl Co., and Paul Shannon, President Diamond Technologies, Inc.
  • For more details or to register for the conference, go to www.worldofgemsconference.com. The room rate at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare is $135.00 per night if you mention World of Gems Conference at the time you book.
  • Optional Advanced Session: On Monday, September 15th, the AGTA GTC will present a full day, hands-on class on the latest developments in ruby and sapphire treatments. This session is $800 per person and is limited to ten people. Contact Dr. Lore Kiefert directly at the AGTA GTC at 212-752-1717 to sign up for this session.

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Health Insurance for AGTA Members
Your AGTA Membership allows you the opportunity to purchase insurance at up to 40% savings through Association Health Programs (AHP). These Programs include Health, Dental, Life, Long-Term Care, Cancer Coverage, Medicare Supplements and Part D, HSA's, Disability, Accident and much more!

How Does AHP Compare to My Current Coverage and Rates?
Members who currently purchase their own insurance, and Members who offer health insurance coverage for their employees, need to take a moment to compare their existing plan to a plan that utilizes the AHP buying power of over 130 groups and 2 million members. All national 'A' rated insurance companies are available to you. Members can receive enhanced benefits for themselves, their families, and their employees-both full and part-time!

Interested in Knowing About AHP's Life Insurance?
AHP life insurance programs include term life insurance, universal life insurance, whole life insurance, key person and buy-sell insurance. People who smoke, have diabetes, overweight or other high risk medical conditions can be helped many times with preferred rates. AHP specializes in hard-to-insure high risk cases. As a Member benefit, AHP will compare your current rates, and 95% of the time will guarantee better coverage and lower costs.

Looking for Comprehensive Long-Term Care Insurance?
In addition to health insurance, AGTA Members between the ages of 45-75 should inquire about the new comprehensive long-term care insurance. All policies include home health care, assisted living and nursing home care. As average life expectancy lengthens, people do not want to lose their assets, their freedom of living environments, or become a burden to their family and friends. AHP offers Members access to every long-term care insurance company on a national basis with savings that cannot be obtained individually in the marketplace. Medicare does not cover long-term care services!

To take advantage of this tremendous membership benefit, please visit www.associationpros.com or contact AHP at 888-450-3040 for a free, no obligation quote.

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Spectrum Goes Platinum to Celebrate the 25th Anniversary
The 25th anniversary of the AGTA Spectrum Awards™ in 2009 will be celebrated in an exceptional way for entrants in this distinguished competition. The AGTA announced today that the 2009 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ will re-introduce the Platinum Honors division. The division is being made possible through the support of Platinum Guild International (PGI).

The competition will augment the existing six-lifestyle categories with a Platinum Honors Division to be awarded in each. Categories will include Bridal Wear, Classical, Day Wear, Evening Wear, Men’s Wear and Best Use of Platinum and Color. Winners of the Platinum Honors award in each category will receive a Platinum Honors trophy, to be presented at the annual AGTA dinner in Tucson 2009, along with individual value-added media and promotion packages, valued between $8,000 - $30,000, from Platinum Guild International.


“We are very pleased to have the Platinum Guild once again participate in the AGTA Spectrum Awards,” stated Douglas K. Hucker, AGTA CEO. “Many of our entrants enjoy working with platinum and this will provide an opportunity for increased recognition and exposure.”

In order for jewelry to be eligible for Platinum Honors, the platinum must meet ISO standards (900 or 950) and comprise at least 90% of the metal used.

All AGTA Members are urged to participate. Start now to be ahead of the September 26, 2008, entry deadline!

Spectrum invitations will be mailed out shortly. The 2009 entry form can be found at www.agta.org/awards/entry.html.

 

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Congratulations to Our GemFair Survey Winner
AGTA would like to congratulate Mr. Roland Moser of McCarver & Moser for responding to the 2008 AGTA GemFair™ Tucson Buyer’s Survey. Mr. McCarver has been awarded a $150.00 gift card, compliments of Bank of America.

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