The JCK Industry Fund has awarded Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America a $65,000 grant to fund the development of a modular seminar program that will expand the depth and reach of innovation throughout the industry.

The seminar program—a part of “Thinking Ahead: The MJSA Innovation Initiative”—will be developed for presentation at tradeshows throughout the industry, including JCK Las Vegas and MJSA Expo New York, MJSA said in a statement. It will include modules addressing key aspects for incorporating innovation into a business plan, such as how to drive growth through innovation; how to price and promote innovative products; and how retailers and key manufacturers can create customer experiences that drive sales.

Due to an increase in global competition, U.S. companies have come to rely on innovation as the key to maintaining their competitive edge. That’s why “Thinking Ahead: The MJSA Innovation Initiative” was developed in an effort to spur on and celebrate innovation in all areas of the industry, MJSA said. The first part of the initiative—the MJSA Innovation Awards—debuted in 2004. Since then MJSA has published innovation-specific articles in MJSA Journal and sponsored seminar programs at MJSA Expo New York, including last year’s CAD/CAM Day and this year’s Technology Day, which focuses on both CAD/CAM and the latest bonding technologies, including lasers.

This new modular seminar program is the next evolution in MJSA’s Innovation Initiative, the target audience of which will be executive teams for both manufacturers and retailers. To fund those efforts, MJSA will continue to seek sponsors, and will develop several sponsorship packages.

For more information about how to become a sponsor, contact Teresa Shannon at 1-800-444-6572, ext. 3103, or e-mail teresa.shannon@mjsa.org.

JCK