Atlanta show to offer more educational seminars

Atlanta--An expanded educational program is part of this year’s Atlanta Jewelry Show, scheduled for March 8 to 10 at the Cobb Galleria Centre.

The educational programs will cover a range of topics including bridal trends, colored gemstones, security, social media strategies and marketing tips. 

The Atlanta Jewelry Show also will debut a new program this year, “Café Conversations,” where attendees can engage in casual and open networking to meet new people, share successes and listen to common challenges.

A full list of the Atlanta Jewelry Show’s educational schedule can be found here.

A selection of the educational sessions is as follows.

Saturday, March 8

--“Create a Social Media Buzz to Enhance In-store Events,” with Shellie Bill of Premiere Consulting Innovations, 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.

Bill will share creative ideas for utilizing Facebook and email marketing to build excitement and attendance for store events from existing and new customers. Real-life examples will be used to show what works in creating a business buzz.

--“White Haute Trends: The 2014 Bride,” with Wendy Southers of The Knot, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Southers will review the 2014 bridal trends and show attendees how to adapt these trends to their stores. 

Sunday, March 9

--“Made You Look! Eye-Catching, Sales-Driving Display Strategies,” with Amy Meadows of Windows Matters, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Meadows will explore visual merchandising tactics for stronger presentations and increased sales, sharing a host of ideas, tools and creative tips that jewelers can easily implement in their stores to improve the appearance of merchandise, attract customers and drive sales. 

--“Mining Diamonds in Your Own Backyard: How to Get More From Your Current Customers,” with Bob Negen of WhizBang! Training, 9 to 10:30 a.m. (also the keynote address)

This seminar will teach simple and proven methods for a jeweler to “mine” from their current customer base, most of which can be implemented immediately.

--“Security at Home: Addressing a Disturbing Trend in Home Invasions,” with David Sexton, vice president of loss prevention at Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, 10:45 to 11:45 a.m.

Sexton will discuss precautions, detection, preventive measures and the worst-case scenario, survival and coping techniques for home invasions.