ABJ Retailer Discussion Panels Set for Couture LV

Going into its second year of breakfast peer-to-peer jeweler discussion panels at Couture, National Jeweler's America's Best Jewelers program has put together a set of excellent topics.

Each morning at the Wynn, prior to the Couture show floor opening, we'll start with breakfast at 7:30. The sessions proper will begin at 8, with a brief overview introduction by one of our four panelists. Then all panelists and I will sit down to a give-and-take discussion of the topic, bringing the audience into the mix.

Last year, the sessions were standing-room-only. They're open only to retailers, and attendance and breakfast are complimentary. But you need to be a member of the ABJ Network. If you're a JBT-listed, North American retailer, visit www.ABJNetwork.com and apply for membership. I'll personally approve you asap!

Here are the topics. I'll have more details on all the speakers/panelists soon. Don't miss these!

Thursday, June 3, Breakfast
7:30AM-8:00AM, Program 8:00AM - 9:00AM
Peer Panel 1: Social Networking 1 - Best Practices.
  Learn how jewelers are maximizing their productivity in exploiting
social networking, from Facebook to Twitter, LinkedIn, Yelp and beyond.
 Covering relevant principals of successful social networking, from time
management to content practices, to deciding who participates and more.

Friday, June 4, Breakfast
7:30AM-8:00AM, Program 8:00AM - 9:00AM
Peer Panel 2: Preparing and Positioning for the Rebound.
As the U.S. economy begins to recover from the worst recession of our
generation, jewelers will discuss how they’re building foundations that
will position them to capitalize on opportunities presented by the new
marketplace, exploring disciplines from marketing to inventory.

Saturday, June 5, Breakfast 7:30AM-8:00AM,
Program 8:00AM - 9:00AM
Peer Panel 3: Social Networking 2 - Best Practices.
Join your fellow jewelers to continue the social networking discussion,
concerning maximize return from social networking. What are realistic
expectations? What tools do you need to get started? How do you gain
customers?

Sunday, June 6,
Breakfast 7:30AM-8:00AM, Program 8:00AM - 9:00AM
Peer Panel
4: Human Resources Best Practices –
Hiring in the Current Market. After embracing lean philosophies
for the past several years—often including difficult decisions regarding
employment strategies—jewelers   discuss if and how they’re adapting
their staffing to address the expanding market potential being driven by
the economic rebound.