AGTA NewsFlash 

September 15, 2009

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AGTA GemFair™ Tucson Introduces MJSA EXPO West
The AGTA and Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America (MJSA) announced recently that the MJSA EXPO West will be returning to the AGTA GemFair™ Tucson, February 2-7, 2010. The Pavilion will also be moving from its historical location in GemHall II.

The MJSA EXPO West Pavilion will be conveniently housed in the Ballroom on the Galleria level, along with the Spectrum of Design Pavilion and the Antique & Estate Jewelry Pavilion. Exhibitors will feature manufacturing equipment, tools, supplies, contract services, and the latest in new technologies. MJSA's At The Bench Live will feature ongoing bench demonstrations for attendees, showing the latest techniques for bench jewelers.

"Many of our GemFair attendees are manufacturing jewelers," said Douglas K. Hucker, CEO of AGTA. “So, it is important to ensure that they have products and services available at the show and live demonstrations to help them work more efficiently.”

Companies interested in exhibiting in the MJSA EXPO West Pavilion can call MJSA at 800-444-6572 and ask for Corrie Silvia or Mitch Horowitz or Mary Lou Keen with AGTA at 214-742-4367

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AGTA Spectrum Awards™
The Deadline for entries is approaching; all pieces must be in by September 25, 2009.

The AGTA's Spectrum Awards™ is the premiere colored gemstone and cultured pearl jewelry design competition in the United States and Canada. The competition is in its 26th year of existence and sets the bar for jewelry designers and lapidaries. This is a fantastic opportunity to get your designs in front of a great panel of judges including design consultant/writer Marlene Richey, gem artist John Hatleburg, jewelry designer Mish Tworkowski of Mish New York, jewelry editor Nicole Keating of Women's Wear Daily and W magazine, antique jewelry expert Ben Macklowe of The Macklowe Gallery and jewelry designer Cecelia Bauer.

The winning designs are featured in consumer and trade press. Furthermore, all entries get tremendous exposure through the competition's Editor's Day in New York City, where many pieces are requested for subsequent photo shoots.

The competition judges jewelry designs in five categories: Evening, Business/Day Wear, Classical, Bridal and Men’s Wear. Once again this year, Platinum Guild International (PGI) will select a design from each category to receive Platinum Honors, with the winners receiving an incredible value-added promotional package. The Cutting Edge division judges excellence in gemstone faceting, carving and objects of art.

We would like to encourage all AGTA Members to enter; it could be a very rewarding experience.

Entry forms can be found at www.agta.org/awards.

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Member Benefit: FedEx Rates Update
Just in time for holiday delivery, the FedEx Declared Value Exception rates have been reduced even more for AGTA Members! Now FedEx Express can accept U.S. and international shipments with a declared value up to $50,000 per package at these discounted rates:

17¢ per $100 of declared value on U.S. shipments.
28¢ per $100 of declared value on international shipments.

Save even more. You can also receive discounts on other select FedEx® services. It’s the FedEx Advantage® - another advantage for AGTA Members.

Up to 43% off Select FedEx Express® U.S. shipments.
Up to 39% off Select FedEx Express international shipments.

To find out how the savings really add up, click here.
http://www.sig-ad.com/live/09-FESAM-0925_AGTA/

Enroll today. Go to http://enrolladvantage.fedex.com/3780/ and use passcode 942GR1. Or call 1.800.475.6708.

You must complete an application to determine if you qualify for FedEx Declared Value Exception. Application completion does not constitute automatic enrollment. You must sign a FedEx Declared Value Exception contract in order to receive the shipping discounts. The new rates will automatically load to accounts of members already enrolled in the FedEx Advantage program.

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AGTA Pavilion at The Smart Show

The AGTA will once again be hosting the AGTA Colored Gemstone and Cultured Pearl Pavilion at The Smart Show in Chicago, April 24-26, 2010. The show will return to the Navy Pier on the Chicago waterfront.

"The inaugural show was very well received by buyers and exhibitors," stated Mary Lou Keen, AGTA Trade Show Manager. "Everyone in attendance seemed to appreciate the fresh, new environment and a high percentage said they would return."


Note that, in response to attendee surveys, the day pattern changed to run from Saturday through Monday versus the Sunday through Tuesday pattern from last year.

If you are interested in exhibiting in the AGTA Pavilion at the Smart Show, please contact Mary Lou Keen or Patti Taylor at AGTA by calling 800-972-1162 or emailing shows@agta.org.

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