Michael Clarke, Stuller, Inc.
Session: 201
Joining Stuller, Inc. in July of 2007, 30-year jewelry veteran Michael Clarke provides vision, direction, leadership, and all business development activities associated with selection, development, procurement and sales of Stuller finished jewelry. A former independent retail storeowner and DPS Manager, Canada, immediately prior to Stuller, Clarke served as divisional vice president, merchandising at Birks & Mayors Jewelers headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
Branko Deljanin, Canadian Gemological Laboratory
Session: 601
A graduate of the University of Belgrade in geology, Deljanin earned his Graduate Gemologist diploma at GIA and worked at the Gem Identification department at GIA lab in New York from 1995 to 1998. He became Director of Gem identification and Research for EGL USA Group in 1998. In 2002 he was put tin charge of its Canadian operations with headquarter in Vancouver. He is a Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain and an instructor of the FGA and DGA Programs. In 2001 he earned his Advanced Gemology Diploma (DUG) from University of Nantes, France, the highest degree in gemology.
Deljanin has conducted on-site research on colored stones and diamonds in Sri Lanka, Russia, Brazil, Australia, and South Africa, and has directed many gemological research projects. Since 1999, he has focused extensively on the “High Pressure High Temperature” process for changing the color of diamonds and growth of diamonds by HPHT and is considered an international HPHT expert. He also presented lecture on “Heated sapphires from around the world” at ICA Congress in Australia in 2001. He is co-author and instructor of “Advanced Gemology” programs on diamonds and colored stones in Canada, USA, Europe and Brazil. In 2004, 2005 and 2006 Deljanin was a finalist for the international AGA “Antonio Bonnano Award for Excellence in Gemmology”. He founded Canadian Gemological Laboratory at Vancouver in 2009.
Dylan Dix, HRA Group of Companies
Featured Keynote Address
Dylan Dix is the Marketing Director of the HRA Group of Companies. Has spent the past 13 years with the Group and is responsible for major accounts, marketing, public relations, government relations and strategic planning. Has a Honours degree in English Literature from UBC and an MA Design from Central Saint Martins in London UK.
Nick Failla, Premiere Consulting Group
Session: 303, 502
Nick Failla is the President of Premier Consulting Innovations, a consulting and fulfillment company that designs and implements behavioral based training and marketing programs. He has over twenty years in the jewelry business and has been a guest speaker for major jewelry industry venues throughout the U.S. speaking on such subjects as Internet Marketing, Special Events, Guerilla Marketing, Generational Marketing, Sales Training and Advertising. Premier has also addressed these subjects as an author in noted industry magazines.
Sally Furrer, Sally Furrer Consulting (CFP)
Session: 302
As a 20 year plus industry veteran, I have worked in a broad range of jewelry sectors – from luxury retailers such as Bucherer and Cartier (in Switzerland) to a wholesale colored stone and pearl firm, to bridal specialists Robbins Bros. and The Shane Company. In 2006 I founded my firm, Sally Furrer Consulting, and have enjoyed a diverse group of clients. As a woman, I have always had a keen interest in the female self-purchaser, whom I believe the jewelry industry has not yet effectively catered to.
Ron Gashinski, AGTA
Featured Keynote Address
After graduating from the Haileybury School of Mines, Ron worked for Falconbridge Nickel and Esso Minerals as an exploration area geologist throughout Canada and the US in the early 70's to the 80's. Ron became an accredited gemmologist in the mid 80's through the CGA in Toronto. In the 90's, Ron's career took a new direction when he joined the Ont. Government in the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines where he held various senior management portfolio's. In June of 2006, he accepted the position of Senior Diamond Advisor and Chief Gemmologist to work on the exciting new diamond portfolio for the Ministry and is now the Director/Chief Gemmologist for the Province of Ontario in the Diamond Sector Unit. In preparation for the mining of diamonds in Ontario, Ron started work on all issues that would involve the governments interaction related to diamonds: development of policy, legislation and protocols that were required to oversee the valuation of diamonds for royalty purposes for the Crown. Ron also oversees the extraction process on behalf of the Government of the 10% allocation of rough diamonds from the De Beers Victor mine that go to the factory in Sudbury. Ron also oversees the monitoring and compliance of Ontario's "Certificate of Origin" program to ensure that the "chain of custody" is intact from mine to consumer.
Adam Graham, AGTA
Session: 501, 602
Adam Graham is the Marketing Manager for the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), a not-for-profit trade association whose mission it is to promote the sales and use of natural colored gemstones and cultured pearls. Adam is a well-known industry presenter on a variety of topics and has spoken at the AGS Conclave, JCK Las Vegas Show, AGTA GemFair Tucson, the Smart Show and many state associations. He formerly served as a jewelry manager for Saks Fifth Avenue, Vice President of the Rapaport Group and as Director of Marketing for the American Gem Society.
Brad Huisken, IAS Training
Session: 103
Mr. Brad Huisken has been in sales since 1981. Since the early seventies he has been directly involved in all aspects of sales. His experience and knowledge have enabled him to author the highly acclaimed book I’m a Salesman! Not a Ph.D. and his new book Munchies for Salespeople! Sales Tips You Can Sink Your Teeth Into. In addition, he has developed the PMSA Relationship Selling Program, the Train The Sales Trainer Course, the Professional Sales Management Course, The Mystery Shoppers Kit, The Weekly Sales Meeting Training Series, The Salesperson’s & Sales Manager’s Aptitude Test for new hires and The Salesperson’s & Sales Manager’s Proficient Exam for existing professionals the Employee Handbook and Policy & Procedures Manual and his new Weekly Sales Training CD Series.
For more than fifteen years, he has been doing sales and management seminars all over North America, Australia and India. His company IAS Training, which he started in 1996, delivers public and private seminars and in-house consulting on both sales and sales management. In addition, his company sells books, CDs, audiotapes, DVDs, and videotapes on these subjects. Bad uses practical methods, realistic strategies, and useable techniques to help increase sales through providing exceptional customer service. His seminars are fun, motivation and educational.
Larry Johnson, Pacific Northern
Session: 301, 402
Larry Johnson is the Senior VP of Business Development - Pacific Northern. He is the author of "The Complete Guide to Effective Jewelry Display" and has over 20 years of experience in visual merchandising.
Becka Johnson Kibby, The Q Report
Session: 101
Becka Johnson Kibby is an independent jewelry educator and consultant, as well as the National Sales and Training Manager with The Q Report. Becka presents specialized training in the areas of selling skills, jewelry product knowledge, communication and retail management. Her nearly 20 years of experience in retail jewelry, working for Robbins Brothers The Engagement Ring Store, Borsheims Jewelry Co., Helzberg Diamonds and Jay B. Rudolph (Finlay) have included both training and management positions. Becka is also the co-President of the Women’s Jewelry Association, Los Angeles Chapter.
Becka is a Graduate Gemologist (GIA) and worked as an instructor with the Gemological Institute of America. She has conducted seminars and training programs for retail jewelers across the United States and Internationally. With a passion for jewelry and an understanding of today’s competitive marketplace, Becka believes that education is the key to continued success in the jewelry industry.
Doug Kerns, Gemvision Corporation
Session: 202
Doug started his jewelry career 18 years ago at Philip’s Diamond Shop in Bettendorf, IA working for Jeff High, now president of Gemvision. Doug had been at the retail store for 5 years, advancing to the position of store manager, when Jeff High closed the store to focus on the early growth of Gemvision and invited Doug into the new endeavor. At Gemvision, Doug has helped both retail and manufacturing jewelers use CAD/CAM technology to change the way they do business and become more profitable. Doug has assisted thousands of jewelers use technology to make more money and looks forward to helping more jewelers be successful in these challenging times.
Christine Mednis
Featured Keynote Address
Tom Ormsby, De Beers
Featured Keynote Address
Tom Ormsby, Director of External & Corporate Affairs, De Beers Canada is responsible for all internal and external communications, government, media and general stakeholder relations including the Diamond Bourse of Canada and the Canadian Diamond Code of Conduct. Before relocating to the De Beers Canada Corporate office in 2009, was a member of the Senior Management team that took the Victor Mine through construction, commissioning, production ramp up, the official opening and steady-state operations.
Michael Schechter, Honora and Gen-Next
Session: 503
For nearly 10 years, Michael Schechter has worked in his family's business, Honora, a Freshwater Pearl Jewelry company based in New York City. He currently works as the Director of Community and is the primary writer for The Honora Blog . He also serves on the Executive Board Gen-Next Jewelers, a community in which the next wave of jewelry manufacturers and retailers can connect and act as a resource for one another.
Abe Sherman, Buyers International Group
Session: 102
Having grown up in the industry, Abe Sherman, a 2nd generation retailer, helped form Buyers International Group (BIG) which originated as buying group for a select group of retail jewelers. Through his insight and industry knowledge stemming from 30 years as a retailer, BIG began consulting for jewelers providing innovative solutions to analyzing inventory resulting in improved buying decisions, inventory turn, and profit margins.
For the last 8 years, Abe has been writing an industry newsletter, BIG Times, which are published periodically in InStore Magazine. Abe has an uncanny ability to understand what is happening in the industry and economy and interpret the impact on retailers. Topics such as Supplier of Choice and the Internet inspired Abe to develop technology solutions to help retailers stay on top of their game. BIG’s latest inventory management and merchandise solution Balance to Buy Online, teaches how to analyze the big picture and drill into the details to unlock much needed cash tied up in non-performing inventory.
Mr. Sherman is an invited guest speaker for numerous industry meetings and events including JCK Las Vegas, AGS Conclave, JA New York, West Coast Jewelry Show, Leading Jewelers of the World, various state Jewelers Associations (JA), and numerous jewelry performance groups and organizations.
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