Fifty-five alumni joined GIA personnel at San Diego's Manchester Grand Hyatt hotel for a special luncheon on Aug. 30.

Alumni Executive Council Chair Starla Turner welcomed attendees with an overview of the upcoming changes to the Association.

"Our goal is involvement," she said. "Education is what brought us together, and it's what keeps us together.

That's why we've discontinued annual fees and are bringing you a new continuing education program. We want you to stay current."

Linda Ellis Harmeling also spoke, calling alumni "the heart and soul" of GIA.

Brook Ellis, vice president of Education, and Bill Herberts, director of Education Operations, debuted the new sticker certificate that will be available as part of the continuing education program.

Drawings were held for a Swarovski crystal figurine, a Gems & Gemology in Review: Colored Diamonds book and a microscope from GIA Instruments.