On March 30, 2015 Initiatives in Art & Culture (IAC) announced the agenda for its Fifth Annual Gold Conference, entitled “Gold: Transparency, Trends and Techniques,” taking place April 9-10, 2015. The conference explores the underpinnings of gold’s abiding emotional power, allure, and enduring value, with a focus on jewelry. An industry update on the newly implemented approach to setting the price of gold is among the presentations that shed light on factors that impact the jewelry market. The means used to attract niche consumer channels—such as “millennials” and “baby boomers”—is addressed. Techniques, cutting-edge technology, and educating the next generation of jewelers and consumers are explored. Ways that consumers can be confident that their purchases are both aesthetically and emotionally pleasing, as well as responsibly sourced, are given considerable focus through discussion of how the industry builds consumer trust through transparent reporting and the journey toward responsible mining.
"We have been overwhelmed by the fascinating recent developments in the gold industry, as we have been and continue to be with the history and legacy of this precious metal,” said Lisa Koenigsberg, Founder, IAC. “It has been a delight to be able to present this event for five consecutive years with so much new information each year. Every participant in IAC's Fifth Annual Gold Conference represents this metal in some outstanding and significant way. We collaborated with many top professionals in their fields to showcase some of the most timely issues and achievements for the industry with the effectiveness and directness so important to IAC."
The event was created in collaboration with IAC’s sponsorship partners, which include Richline Group; Signet Jewelers, Ltd.; Hoover & Strong; Gemological Institute of America; WYS Jewelry; Doyle & Doyle; Aaron Faber Gallery; and Freeman’s.
Richline Group, the lead sponsor for this event, released these comments regarding its corporate involvement in the event this year:
"Richline is, once again, proud to support IAC’s Fifth Annual Gold Conference,” said Mark Hanna, CMO of Richline Group. “We consider this the world’s premier examination of all things related to gold and gold jewelry. Its educational emphasis on the emotional, historical and next-gen aspects of gold—with broad, expert attention paid to the key motivators of gold’s relevance—uplift all issues related to this precious metal and its role in the marketplace."
Signet Jewelers is supporting IAC’s gold conference once again. The company released this comment about its involvement this year:
"Signet is honored to support IAC’s Fifth Annual Gold Conference, for the second year in a row,” said David Bouffard, Signet Vice President Corporate Affairs, Signet Jewelers, Ltd. “The company is particularly impressed with the attention this event focuses on responsible sourcing and sustainability, which is an important element of our corporate strategy.”
Hoover & Strong, which is supporting IAC’s gold conference for the first time, released this statement:
"We are thrilled to be a part of IAC’s Fifth Annual Gold Conference and look forward to educating the next generation of jewelers about Harmony recycled gold and Hoover & Strong's Fairmined initiatives,” said Torry Hoover, President, Hoover & Strong. “Since branding the Harmony line of recycled precious metals in 2008, we have come to learn that responsible choices, sustainability and ethical sourcing—always important to us—are also important matters in jewelers' hearts and minds. Recycled and Fairmined metal options are now readily available, so jewelers have the opportunity, and thankfully the desire, to create the most beautiful, eco-friendly jewelry in the history of this industry. We support the efforts of the IAC gold conference in its ongoing commitment to exploring these issues."
Formal sessions for the conference will be held at The Graduate Center, City University of New York (365 Fifth Ave.). Additionally, two private cocktail receptions and viewings will be hosted for conference attendees. On April 9, Aaron Faber Gallery (666 Fifth Ave.) will host a reception in celebration of its fortieth anniversary. And Doyle & Doyle will host a closing reception for conference attendees in its flagship store (412 West. 13th St.) in celebration of its fifteen anniversary. For further information regarding presenters, schedules and locations for events related to this conference, please see the following agenda. Those interested in attending can register at, https://iacgold2015.eventbrite.com.
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About Initiatives in Arts and
CultureInitiatives in Arts and Culture (IAC) is an organization committed to educating diverse audiences in the fine, decorative, and visual arts, as well as architecture. IAC's primary activities are conferences, publications, and exhibitions. These take an interdisciplinary approach, considering issues related to fabrication, connoisseurship, cultural patrimony, cultural preservation, and the future of culture. Particular areas of emphasis include American painting, the history of frames, the Arts and Crafts movement (internationally and in the United States), the art of metalworking in America, the art of the frame, the influence of Asian cultures on American fine and decorative art, and the history and future of fashion and materials. IAC’s projects have been supported by a wide array of individual, corporate and foundation funders.
Initiatives in Art and Culture’s Fifth Annual Gold Conference Agenda
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Location: sessions take place at The Graduate Center, City University of New York, 365 Fifth Ave.
9:30 – 10:10 a.m. “Keynote: All That Glitters: How Gold Seduced the Human Race,” presented by Matthew Hart, Journalist and Author of “Gold: The Race for the World’s Most Seductive Metal.”
10:15 -10:55 a.m. “Jewelry Trends Driven by the Catwalk: Spring/Summer 16,” presented Jaime Cohn-Barr, Footwear and Accessories Editor, WGSN.
11:10 - 11:50 a.m. “Designing for Millennials,” a panel discussion moderated by Claudia Mata, Accessories and Jewelry Director, W, with panelists: Alison Lou Chemla, Creative Director and Designer, Alison Lou; Ana Khouri, Jewelery Designer; Anita Ko, Jeweler.
11:55 a.m. - 12:25 p.m. “Gold in Beauty: Body Adornment,” a panel discussion moderated by Candice Sabatini, Co-Owner, Beauty News NYC, with panelists: Deirdre Hanrahan, Founder, WYS; Veleta Vancza, Co-Founder, MINE Luxury Nail Lacquer.
1:45 - 2:25 p.m. “The Old Rush: Selling Gold in the Age of Aging,” presented by Peter Hubbell, Founder and CEO, BoomAgers and Author of The Old Rush: Marketing for Gold in the Age of Aging.
2:30 - 3:10 p.m. “Jewelry Retailing in New Luxury Style,” presented by Pamela N. Danziger, President and Founder, Unity Marketing.
3:15 - 3:45 p.m. “Elizabeth Doyle in Conversation with Michelle Graff,” Michelle Graff, Editor-in-Chief, National Jeweler interviews Elizabeth Doyle, Co-Founder, Doyle & Doyle.
4:00 - 4:30 p.m. “The LBMA Gold Price: A New Era for the World’s Gold Benchmark,” presented by Finbarr Hutcheson, President and CEO, ICE Benchmark Administration Limited.
4:35 - 5:15 p.m. “Collecting Gold Rings,” a conversation between Lisa Koenigsberg, Founder, Initiatives in Art and Culture; Jack Ogden, Jewelry Historian and Industry Consultant; and Benjamin Zucker, Authority on Precious Stones.
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Aaron Faber Gallery, 666 Fifth Ave.
Viewing and cocktail reception in celebration of Aaron Faber Gallery's Fortieth Anniversary with Remarks by Patricia and Edward Faber.
Friday, April 10, 2015
Location: sessions take place at The Graduate Center, City University of New York, 365 Fifth Ave.
9:10 – 9:55 a.m. “Getting Results from Social Media: Messaging and Marketing,” a panel moderated by Cheryl Kremkow, Director, Citrine Media, with panelists: Eugene Brill, Vice President of Operations,
Jewelry.com; Cindy Edelstein, Founder and President, Jeweler’s Resource Bureau; Evert deGraeve, Jeweler; Robyn Hawk, Consultant.
10:00 – 10:40 a.m. “Marks of Achievement: Gold as a Sign of Distinction,” presented by Jack Ogden, Jewelry Historian and Industry Consultant.
10:45 – 11:05 a.m. “The Kentucky Derby Trophy: a Marriage of Fine Materials, Craftsmanship and the Sport of Horse Racing,” presented by Elizabeth Brehmer, Vice President of Product Development, LeachGarner.
11:25 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. “30 Years of the American Jewelry Design Council,” a panel discussion moderated by Cindy Edelstein, Founder and President, Jeweler’s Resource Bureau, with panelists: Alishan Halebian, Jeweler; Barbara Heinrich, Goldsmith; Susan Helmich, Jeweler; Jose Hess, Jeweler.
1:30 – 2:15 p.m. “Cutting Edge Technology and Its Potential,” a panel discussion moderated by Steven Adler, Founder, A3DM, with panelists: Kevin Abernathy, Industry Consultant; Jeff High, Chief Innovation Officer, Stuller, Inc; Savannah Peterson, Director of Global Community, Shapeways.
2:20 – 3:05 p.m. “The Next Generation: Educating Jewelers and Their Customers,” a panel discussion moderated by Peggy Jo Donahue, Director, MJSA Education Foundation, with panelists: Michael Coan, Chairman Emeritus and Assistant Professor, Jewelry Design Department, The Fashion Institute of Technology; Patricia Madeja, Professor and Jewelry Coordinator, Pratt Institute; Mark B. Mann, Director Global Jewelry Manufacturing Arts, Gemological Institute of America; Susan Thea Posnock, Director of Public Affairs and Education, Jewelers of America; Jonathan Wahl, Director, The Jewelry Center at 92nd Street Y.
3:25 – 4:15 p.m. “The Importance of Building Trust in the Gold Industry: The Journey Toward Responsible Sourcing, and Gaining Consumer Trust in the Retail Market,” a panel discussion moderated by Rob Bates, Senior Editor, JCK, with panelists: Larry Bock, Sales Director, Hoover & Strong; David Bouffard, Signet Vice President Corporate Affairs, Signet Jewelers, Ltd.;Holly Dranginis, Policy Analyst, The Enough Project; Cecilia Gardner, President, CEO and General Counsel, Jewelers Vigilance Committee; Christina Miller, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Ethical Metalsmiths; Toby Pomeroy, President, Toby Pomeroy; Kenneth Porter, Head of Business Development, Fairmined Initiative, ARM.
4:20 – 5:15 p.m. "Stealing Lightning from the Gods: The Work of Daniel Brush,” presented by Legendary Goldsmith Daniel Brush.
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Doyle & Doyle, 412 W. 13th St.
Viewing and cocktail reception in celebration of Doyle & Doyle’s Fifteenth Anniversary.
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