Top Industry Executives to Speak at "Mini" Jewelry Career Fair

CARLSBAD, Calif. – April 22, 2009 – The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) announced the featured speakers today of its first-ever “GIA ‘Mini’ Jewelry Career Fair,” which will be held on Sunday, May 31 during the JCK Show in Las Vegas.

The speakers, some of the most notable leaders in the gem and jewelry industry, will be on a panel that will address “Job Success in Today’s Market.” They include: Donna Baker, president and CEO of GIA; John Green, president and CEO of Lux Bond & Green; Matthew Green, sales director of Europe, Middle East, and Asia for John Hardy International Ltd.; Joel Schechter, CEO of HONORA; and Phyllis Bergman, CEO of Mercury Ring Corporation.

They will provide guidance to job seekers on how to maximize opportunities in the current market climate.

“This panel will present rich information on how to succeed in spite of adverse economic circumstances,” said Kathryn Kimmel, vice president, chief Marketing officer and co-founder of the GIA Jewelry Career Fair. “In a challenged job market, it’s more important than ever that the Institute provides support to those pursuing a career in gems and jewelry.”

The GIA “Mini” Jewelry Career Fair, sponsored by JCK Events, will be a condensed version of the Institute’s popular career coaching and job search events that have helped place job candidates in the jewelry industry for the last 18 years.

The career coaching sessions will be with business leaders who will provide advice in various subject areas, including resume review, career information, design, networking, entrepreneurship and starting your own business. Although there will be no on-site recruiting, GIA will provide information on career opportunities offered by JCK Show exhibitors and buyers.

The GIA “Mini” Jewelry Career Fair will be held on Sunday, May 31 from 10 a.m.-1:15 p.m., with the doors opening at 9:30 a.m. for career coaching sign-ups. It will take place at the Venetian Conference Center in the Zeno Room 4701-47. The event is free and open to all with no advance registration or badge required.

For more information on the GIA “Mini” Jewelry Career Fair call (800) 421-7250 ext. 4100 or e-mail careerfair@gia.edu.

Career Fair was founded by GIA and The Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California. The next GIA Jewelry Career Fair in Carlsbad is scheduled for Oct. 16, 2009 at the Institute’s world headquarters.