JCK announced the recipients of its 2013 Industry Fund, kicking off the year in a big way for the handful of organizations awarded. The winners include the following companies: Jeweler’s Security Alliance, Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Alliance for Responsible Mining, Jewelers of America, Women’s Jewelry Association, American Gem Society and Diamond Development Initiative. Monies will be allocated and put to use immediately.
The JCK Industry Fund was established 15 years ago as a way of giving back to the jewelry industry in a meaningful way. The Fund’s mission is to support the growth of jewelry professionals and/or organizations by distributing funds where they are most needed. Recipients are chosen by the Fund Advisory Committee based on the content and merit of their application. To date, the fund has awarded over $5 million in grants to deserving jewelry entities.
“The Industry Fund has been helping jewelry professionals and organizations achieve their goals for well over a decade and has made a substantial impact on our industry as a whole,” says JCK’s Yancy Weinrich. “Each recipient over the years has impressed us enormously with their devotion to jewelry and focus on making improvements that matter. We have been honored to support them.”
This year, JCK is particularly proud of the ways in which the fund will be put to use, which include protecting the jewelry industry against potentially harmful legislative measures, ensuring stringent safety measures to prevent jewelry crimes, providing support for the mining communities, procuring highly regarded speakers for educational conferences and assisting companies in deciphering FTC guidelines and compliance standards.
Upon notice of the awards, some of the recipients shared their reactions and plans for use:
Ruth Batson, CEO of American Gem Society and AGS Labs, said, “The grant the Society receives from the JCK Industry Fund is of tremendous help to the AGS; it also has a positive Domino effect within our industry. Because of JCKs generosity, we are able to continue providing leading speakers and the finest educational programming — all under one roof at Conclave. The grant helps us serve our members with their continuing gemological training, which in turn helps better our industry.”
Dave Bonaparte, President & CEO of Jewelers of America, shared, “Jewelers of America is very appreciative of the JCK Industry Fund’s ongoing support of our legislative advocacy efforts. This grant allows us to expand the association’s influential (and critical) work to fight legislative and regulatory measures that could harm jewelry businesses and consumer confidence.”
John Kennedy, President of the Jeweler’s Security Alliance, commented, “We are extremely grateful for JCK’s generous Industry Fund grants, as they have enabled JSA to carry out innovative projects to help make the industry safer from crime for years. For example, in the past, we’ve set up local crime prevention networks for jewelers and an online stolen jewelry database. This year’s grant will enable JSA to reach out more broadly to the 17,000 police departments in the U.S. to help educate and inform them regarding jewelry crime. With JCK’s support the partnership between the FBI, local police and the jewelry industry will be strengthened.”
Dorothée Gizenga, Executive Director of the Diamond Development Initiative, phoning in from the Congo, shared the following remarks, “News of the JCK Industry Fund’s grant to DDI has just reached me in Kisangani in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where I have been helping to get one of our projects up and running. If you could meet the artisanal miners I’ve been with over the past ten days, you would know what a huge difference small investments can make in the lives of very poor people. News like this is always important, but receiving it here has made it so much more meaningful.”
Cecilia Gardner, President, CEO and General Counsel of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, said, “The Industry Fund grant is very important to us; we couldn’t do what we do without it. It is a wonderful means for us to be able to support our ongoing efforts to maintain standards for legal compliance within the industry. This year, for example, with the new Federal Trade Commission guideline revisions coming out, we will use the funds to explain what they mean and assist jewelry companies with their own compliance measures.”
Tryna Kochanek, President of the Women’s Jewelry Association shared, “We are so grateful for the support from JCK. The organization has consistently supported WJA for many years and this partnership has enabled us to flourish and grow. We are very excited to receive the grant for our “In the Know Conference” being held on March 8, 2013. This grant has allowed us to attract premier speakers within the jewelry and fashion industries. It is a day that attendees can expand their knowledge and build long term relationships with people in the jewelry and watch industry.”
Lina Villa, Executive Director of the Alliance for Responsible Mining, said, “Receiving this grant will make a great positive impact on the impoverished communities we in the Alliance for Responsible Mining support. The lives and conditions of artisanal and small-scale miners are unknown to many, as is the enormous potential their work has for developing communities and generating sustainable incomes — all while protecting the environment and respecting rights of workers, women and children. With this grant we can directly support training of communities and raise awareness with stakeholders, governments, consumers, jewelers, the industry and the international community, each of whom have a role in changing the miners’ conditions for the better. We thank JCK Events for this great opportunity and look forward to turning it into tangible outcomes for the 3000 artisanal and small-scale miners the project will benefit.”
ABOUT JCK EVENTS:
JCK is a trusted partner connecting jewelry retailers and manufacturers/suppliers with trends, news, products, education and partners to build business. Whether attending face-to-face events, building inventory with online and onsite sourcing or obtaining authoritative news and insights from JCK, the leading industry magazine in print & online, JCK offers a suite of tools, events and information to deliver sound solutions, innovative opportunities and essential information. Mark your calendars as JCK Events presents its portfolio of upcoming buying opportunities:
- LUXURY and Elite Enclave: May 28-30, 2013, by invitation only, and then continues as the events open their doors to all JCK retailers May 31- June 3, 2013 – Four Seasons, THEhotel, Mandalay Bay
- Swiss Watch: May 31 - June 3, 2013 – THEhotel, Mandalay Bay, Mandarin Oriental
- JCK Las Vegas: May 31 - June 3, 2013 – Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino
- LUXURY Privé New York: July 29-31, 2013 – New York, The Pierre Hotel, Fifth Avenue
- LUXURY Privé Panama: August 26-28, 2013– Panama City, Panama, Westin Playa Bonita
