“Our primary focus the past few years has been growing our membership,” Tony Prater, LJG board chair and of Jensen Jewelers in Twin Falls, Ind., said. “It’s pretty evident that each new member brings the group new expertise and new points of view. It’s great to be in a setting where nearly all the content comes from within the membership.”

 

Vince Rath of Morgan Jewelers in Salt Lake City delivered the keynote address, Making the Sale at Morgan’s. Presentations included Running an Effective Estate Department, by Chris and Peggy Coleman of Nelson Coleman Jewelers in Towson, Md., and What Your Gold Refiner Doesn’t Want You to Know, by Jack Brown of Mid States Recycling and Refining in Chicago.

 

Company presentations from existing members were spaced with introductions by prospective new members.

 

“The more we share our strengths, the better we can help one another develop as individual businesses, and our group becomes stronger in the process,” Josh Halpern, LJG vice president and of Albert’s Jewelers in Shererville, Ind., said.

 

Included in the five-day meeting is a two-day vendor show, where 65 businesses exhibit their lines and services. Vendors included Le Vian, Lieberfarb, Bombay, Fable Designs and others.

 

During LJG’s annual awards presentation, Jeff Weinman of Taché Jewelry in New York received the 2011 Vendor of the Year Award for outstanding product selection and customer service. Steven Singer of Steven Singer Jewelers in Philadelphia was recognized with the 2011 Leader of the Year Award, for outstanding leadership on LJG’s new membership committee.

 

LJG is an alliance of family-owned jewelers and a merchandising, marketing, catalog advertising and production resource dedicated to the business needs of its member companies. Additional information about LJG can be found by contacting Jimmy West, executive director, at 310-820-3386.