The Women’s Jewelry Association said the fifth Annual “Women in the Know” conference to be held at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City on March 7. The one-day educational and networking conference, geared to women in the fine jewelry and watch industry, is open to members and nonmembers. 

In addition, WJA announced dates for three other 2008 regional WITK conferences. They are as follows:

* The second annual WITK-West Coast at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Century City, Calif., Aug. 15;

* A new Southwest event to be launched at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, Sept. 5; and

* The second Annual WITK-Midwest at Macy’s on State Street, in Chicago, Oct. 24. 

“The WITK conferences have been enthusiastically embraced by women in the industry, and each year attendance grows,” said incoming WJA president Yancy Weinrich, industry vice president of Luxury by JCK. “We are thrilled to be able to make these unique conferences more accessible by creating a fourth regional event in Texas this year.”

Weinrich anticipates that total WITK attendance will reach 700.

The WITK events are sponsored in part by Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company and the Platinum Guild International.

“With the help of these major sponsors and other supporters we are able to produce each year dynamic, high-level conferences that our members and others in the industry look forward to,” said WJA’s vice president of Education Fran Pennella, director of Marketing and Public Relations for Maurice Lacroix USA. 

“Early bird” pre-registration for the conference costs $195 for WJA members (prior to Feb. 29) and $220 for non-members and is available from the WJA Web site, or by calling WJA headquarters at 708-361-6266.

JCK