The 8 educational sessions of JA NY Winter

A keynote speech delivered by a small business expert and a panel discussion on how to snag the modern bride are among the sessions scheduled to take place at the JA New York Winter show.

Michelle Graff michelle.graff@nationaljeweler.com

Hal Rubenstein, currently the global style director at Gabriel&Co., will be one of the experts to talk about the changing bridal landscape and how jewelers can leverage those opportunities at JA New York’s upcoming winter show.

New York--A keynote speech focused on small business advice and a panel discussion addressing how to snag the modern bride are among the educational sessions scheduled to take place at the upcoming JA New York Winter show.

The show is scheduled to start Sunday and run through Tuesday at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. The education sessions, which are presented by Jewelers of America, will be offered on the first two days of the show.

Leading the lineup is MSNBC’s Your Business host JJ Ramberg, who will be offering insight, expertise and practical tips on running a small business, using information she’s garnered as both a business journalist and an entrepreneur.

Also featured is a session that teaches jewelers how to protect their business’s reputation online, how to optimize for SEO, sales strategies, and more.

The schedule for the education program on Sunday, Jan. 18 is as follows.

9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
“Tips to Help Your Small Business Grow”
JJ Ramberg, host of MSNBC’s Your Business and co-founder of Goodshop.com

In the keynote session, Ramberg will share tips on how to grow a small business, using advice and stories that she has gathered from interviews with thousands of small business owners as well as growing her own company.

11:30 a.m. to 12:40 p.m.
“Cyber Alert: Protect Your Reputation Online”
Michelle Graff, editor-in-chief of National Jeweler
Brian Douglas, CEO and founder, Reputations.biz

This session will give tips on how to monitor and manage a company’s reputation online.

1 to 2 p.m.
“Bench Myths”
Ann Cahoon, instructor, North Bennet Street School

This session takes a look at a few of the most fundamental components of working at the bench and tests the effectiveness of different approaches to determine what is effective and what might be myth.

2:20 to 3:20 p.m.
“How SEO Can Optimize Your Business”
Brian Douglas, CEO and founder, Reputations.biz

Douglas will use this session to talk about how search engine optimization (SEO), which ensures that businesses are visible online, has changed over the past few years, what kind of strategies businesses should have, how to build brand authority and more.

The schedule for the education program on Monday, Jan. 19 is as follows.

10:15 to 11:15 a.m.
“Sales Strategies: Unlock the Secrets to Effective Negotiating”
Joy Baldridge, CPC, CSP and founder of Baldridge Seminars International

Banner will be right here …

In this session, Baldridge will teach attendees how to negotiate with more confidence and less stress to close more sales, including asking essential “mind-reading” questions and how to reach more win-win outcomes.

11:35 a.m. to 12:35 p.m.
“How to Sell Without Selling on Social Media for Jewelry Businesses”
Nicole Kroese, director of new business, Likeable Local

In this session, an expert from Likeable Jewelers will give actionable advice and tricks on how to move past promotional and product-only posts and sell without selling on social media, specifically for the jewelry and retail industries.

12:55 to 1:55 p.m.
“How 3D Printing Elevates Your Business & Design”
Charlie Maddock, director of business development, Shapeways

The rise of 3-D printing has allowed for the sharing of design and production everywhere. Maddock will explain how 3-D printing can bring personalized production to everyone, whether they’re already designing using the method or are looking to get into it.

2:15 to 3:15 p.m.
“The New Bridal Landscape”
Amanda Gizzi, director of public relations and special events, Jewelers of America
Hal Rubenstein, global style director, Gabriel & Co.
Shane Clark, senior fashion and accessories editor, Brides

Though bridal remains an extremely important part of most jewelers’ businesses, the demographic of today’s potential bridal customer has changed dramatically. With changes like the legalization of same-sex marriage and the desire for more ethically sourced materials and unique rings, customers are looking for pieces that are very different from those of past generations. This panel discussion will take a look at the new bridal landscape and how retailers can navigate the changes to capitalize on the opportunities that they are bringing.

For more information about JA New York and to register for the Winter 2014 show, visit JA-NewYork.com.

Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.