Though it was launched five years ago, the International Jewelry Design Guild has been known for little more than its group exhibition during the JA New York show. A new director and several beefed-up unity-bolstering initiatives, however, aim to give the group more reach as an entity and give members better access to their peers.

According to associate executive director Stacy Blackshaw, the group aims to promote networking opportunities, offer benefits such as group insurance policies, negotiate group discounts for advertising space, and launch a group Web site that will allow information sharing and foster a greater sense of community among members.

Long-term goals include activities such as mentoring programs that will encourage and support up-and-coming jewelry designers.