Lineup for WJA’s ‘In the Know’ announced

New York--The Women’s Jewelry Association’s 11th annual In the Know Conference is scheduled for March 5, and this year will include a same-day awards ceremony.

In the Know will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hearst Tower, and the “In the Spotlight” awards ceremony is slated for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the same location.

This year’s conference will focus on WJA’s 2014 theme, “Connect and Transform,” and will feature speakers who have led TED talks, been recognized by magazines including Fast Company and Fortune, and worked as professionals within the jewelry industry.

Opening the conference is Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, co-founder of Gilt Groupe, who will present “The Gilt Groupe Story: How to Get 1.5 Billion Sales in 3.5 Years.”

Wilson has more than 15 years of experience in the luxury sector, working for bands including Bulgari, Louis Vuitton and Merrill Lynch, and also co-authored By Innovation Only: How We Built Gilt and Changed the Way Millions Shop, a New York Times bestseller.

Rachel Shechtman, founder of retail concept company Story, will discuss with attendees “Storytelling: The New Consumerism.” Named one of Fortune’s “40 Under 40” and one of Fast Company’s “100 Most Creative People in Business,” Shechtman is a retail expert who has consulted for brands including Kraft, Toms Shoes and Lincoln Motor Co.

Motivational speaker Dan Thurmon will present “Off Balance on Purpose: How to Evolve During Changing Times.” Thurmon is the author of two books and an expert in helping organizations and individuals implement action plans and move through transitions.

The conference also will offer two panels.

The first will be moderated by Stellene Volandes, style director at Town & Country magazine, and will feature designers Melissa Joy Manning and Kara Ross discussing how jewelry and watch brands have extended their reach.

The second panel, “Close to the Consumer: How Retailers are Reinventing Themselves,” will be moderated by Orit, president and CEO of the O Group, with panelists Cathy Fischer of Sterling Jewelers Inc., PJ Lynch, the CEO of the Gem Shopping Network, Jennifer Gandia of Greenwich Jewelers, Annelise Peterson of Net-A-Porter and Daniella Yacobovsky of BaubleBar.

Following the conference, the In the Spotlight event will honor WJA regional chapters’ Shining Stars for 2014 as well as the 2013-2014 WJA Diva Design Contest award winners.

Combination and separate tickets for both the conference and awards event can be purchased on the WJA website.