AS A SCHEDULES1996 CONFERENCE
The American Society of Appraisers will present its International Appraisal Conference June 16-19 in the Sheraton Centre Toronto.
The conference, which will mark the society¹s 60th anniversary, will feature an array of educational and social events.
ASA teaches, tests and accredits appraisers. It represents all disciplines of appraisal specialists, including gems and jewelry, real property, personal property, business valuation, machinery and technical specialties, and appraisal review and management.
American Society of Appraisers, P.O. Box 17265, Washington, DC 20041; (800) ASA-VALU or (703) 478-2228, fax (703) 742-8471.
CANADIAN ASSOCIATION NAMES GENERAL MANAGER
Karen Bassels was promoted to general manager of the Canadian Jewellers Association.
Bassels, who joined the association in 1990, has set several priorities, including providing substantial value to CJA membership and continued growth of the association¹s trade show, Jewellery World Expo.
Canadian Jewellers Association, 20 Eglinton Ave. W., Suite 1108, Box 2021, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4R 1K8, (416) 480-1424, fax (416) 480-2342.
ARKANSAS JEWELERS NAME 1996 OFFICERS
Bruce Higgins of Higgins Jewelers and Gemologist in Paragould is the new president of the Arkansas Jewelers Association. He succeeds Caroline Stanley, who moved to California to become communications coordinator/retail liaison with the Platinum Guild International USA.
Serving with Higgins are T.C. Carter of the Jewel Chest, Mountain Home, vice president, and Mary Wise of Koon¹s Jewelers, Sheridan, secretary-treasurer.
OHIO JEWELERS ELECT OFFICERS
Stuart Palestrant of Wendel¹s Jewelers in Lancaster is the new president of the Ohio Jewelers Association. He succeeds Jack Yeager of Yeager Jewelers in Cleveland.
Serving with him are Jack Seibert of Jack Seibert Goldsmiths, Columbus, vice president; Alan Rodriguez of House of Stones, New Philadelphia, secretary; and Jim Schwartz of Schwartz Jewelers, Cincinnati, treasurer.
Board members for 1996-¹97, in addition to the officers, are Craig Forcell of Martin Jewelers, Wooster; Robert Ball of Henry Ball Co., Canton; Larry Hall of Baker and Baker Jewelers, Marietta; Carl Hofstetter of Karl¹s Jewelers, Middlefield; Robert Smith of E.M. Smith Jewelers, Chillicothe; Michael K. Myers of M.K. Myers Jewelers, Newark; Robert Argo of Argo and Lehne Jewelers, Columbus; Glenn Kelsey of Kelsey Jewelers, Cincinnati; Richard Bacovin of Bacovin Jewelers, Cincinnati; Tom Laudick of Leo Alfred and Sons Jewelers, Dublin; Lee Krombholz of Krombholz Jewelers, Cincinnati; Tim Smith of Smith and Co. Jewelers, Boardman; Dan Pugh of Pugh Jewelers, Zanesville; Harley Jones of Jones Jewelers, Celina; and Jack Yeager of Yeager Jewelers, Cleveland.
AGTA NAMES TWO BOARD OFFICIALS
The American Gem Trade Association elected two new officers to its Board of Directors. Todd Wolleman of Leo Wolleman Inc., New York City, was chosen as a vice president. Joseph Mardkha of Colormasters Gem Corp., New York City, was named a secretary.
They join President Owen Bordelon, Vice President Jacob Karmily, Secretary Nanette Forester and Treasurer Bill Barker, all of whom had already taken office.
In addition, AGTA named three members to three-year terms on the board. They are Eric Braunwart of Columbia Gem House Inc., Vancouver, Wash.; Gerry Manning of Manning International, New York City; and Ralph Mueller of Ralph Mueller & Associates, Scottsdale, Ariz. Bordelon also named Omi Nagpal of OMI Gem Inc., Los Angeles, Cal., to a vacancy on the board.
MIDWEST WJA NAMES OFFICERS FOR 1996
Helen Slotar Hovis, a partner in Ernest Slotar Inc., Chicago, is the new president of the Midwest Chapter of the Women¹s Jewelry Association. She succeeds Anthea Slotar, also of Ernest Slotar Inc.
Other officers are Gillian Schultz, owner of Metronet, Chicago, vice president; Katie Smith of Trabert & Hoeffer, Chicago, executive vice president; Jan Paul, owner of Royal Creations, Chicago, vice president; Lisa Vanderwoude of Matheson of Chicago, co-treasurer; Susan Thomas of Ernest Slotar Diamond Importers, Chicago, recording secretary; Jennifer Johnson of Reiss & Co., Chicago, co-treasurer; and Pat Jacobson of Son & Prins Co., Chicago, corresponding secretary.
The Women¹s Jewelry Association and its chapters are designed to give women a chance to network with their peers and to gain useful information through professional education and relationships.
The chapter also has launched a membership drive, hoping to add 50 new members by the end of July. Members will receive one chance at a drawing for gifts for each new member they recruit.
Midwest Chapter of the Women¹s Jewelry Association, P.O. Box 11182, Chicago, IL 60611; (312) 202-4552.
JSMA PLANS CRUISE
The Jewelers and Silversmiths Management Association will conclude its 1995-¹96 year with a cruise on Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay May 18.
Members who wish to participate in the 4 1/2-hour cruise should contact the association at 100 India St., Providence, RI 02903; (401) 274-3840.
COLLIER COUNTY JEWELERS ANNOUNCE 1996 OFFICERS
Barry Nicholls, owner of Paradise Jewelry, Naples, Fla., was elected president and secretary of the Collier County Professional Jewelers Association for 1996.
Other officers are Dave Shope, owner of Naples Jewelers, Naples, vice president; and Stan Risman of Risman Appraisals, Naples, treasurer.
The association meets every two months; membership is open to all jewelers in Collier County and Bonita Springs who have been in a retail business location at least one year. The association¹s goal is to increase education and professionalism among local jewelers by sharing talents and resources and to educate the public. For information, call Nicholls at (813) 592-2645.
JA WINS AWARDS FOR TWO VIDEOS
Jewelers of America won 1995 Communicator Awards for two of its videotapes.
The JA 100 Club, produced by Rainbow Video Inc., won the top Crystal award in the documentary category. The 10-minute video salutes JA members who have been in business 100 years or more.
The Jewelry Buyers Guide, made in conjunction with Broadcast News Associates, won a second-place honor in the infomercial category. The video was made available to all JA members for broadcast on TV and in their stores.
The Communicator Award is a national awards organization that acknowledges outstanding work in the visual communications field.
Jewelers of America, 1185 Ave. of the Americas, 30 Fl., New York, N.Y. 10036; (800) 223-0673 or (212) 768-8777.
SILVERSMITH SOCIETY JOINS THE INTERNET
The Society of American Silversmiths now answers questions on silver restoration and conservation, offers tips on silver care and lists schools with degreed silversmithing programs through its site on the World Wide Web of the Internet.
In addition, browsers can locate a silversmith for any type of commission, access the society¹s exhibition schedule and read about membership benefits. The society is found at http://www.ids.net/~slvrsmth/ sashome.htm. The e-mail address is slvrsmth@ids.com.
The society was founded in 1989 for the preservation and promotion of contemporary silversmithing. In addition to nurturing student silversmiths, the society educates the public through free consulting services, a quarterly newsletter and exhibitions. Society of American Silversmiths, P.O. Box 3599, Cranston, R.I. 02910; (401) 461-3156, fax (401) 461-3196.