INSIDE TRACK
EXCLUSIVES FOR RJO RETAIL MEMBERS
May 2023
You're Invited.... FIND YOUR INSPIRATION
May Newsletter ............................................................................................................... Page 4 Registration Reminder ................................................................................................ Page 6 Calling All Home Chefs ................................................................................................ Page 7 Market Trends ................................................................................................................. Page 8 Edge Retail Academy ................................................................................................... Page 9 The Edge ............................................................................................................................ Page 10 LALI Jewels ....................................................................................................................... Page 11 Smiling Rocks ................................................................................................................... Page 12 SHEFI ..................................................................................................................................... Page 13 Jewelry Store Marketers ........................................................................................... Page 14 Guild and Facet .............................................................................................................. Page 15 Steven Royce .................................................................................................................... Page 16 BeringTime ....................................................................................................................... Page 17 INOX ..................................................................................................................................... Page 18 Izi Creations ..................................................................................................................... Page 19 Jules Borel & Co. ........................................................................................................... Page 20 JD & Co .............................................................................................................................. Page 21 Metal Marketplace Int'l ............................................................................................... Page 22 Michou .............................................................................................................................. Page 23 Quality Gold .................................................................................................................... Page 24 Samuel Spill Co ............................................................................................................. Page 25 Star Gems ........................................................................................................................ Page 26 SK Diamonds .................................................................................................................. Page 27 Sterling Reputation .................................................................................................... Page 28 Oro Alexander ................................................................................................................. Page 29 Mercury Ring .................................................................................................................. Page 30 Legend Jewelry ........................................................................................................... Page 31 SMI Diamonds ................................................................................................................ Page 32 Evocateur ........................................................................................................................... Page 33 Jewelry Innovations ..................................................................................................... Page 34 BERCO ................................................................................................................................ Page 35 Glik Imports ..................................................................................................................... Page 36 Concepts Jewelry ........................................................................................................... Page 37 Kelly Waters ..................................................................................................................... Page 38 Lafonn .................................................................................................................................. Page 39 Jewel-Craft ...................................................................................................................... Page 40 Artinian Gems .................................................................................................................. Page 41 RJO Rock Tour ................................................................................................................ Page 42 Philadelphia 2023 .......................................................................................................... Page 43
IMPORTANT DATES
May
May 10th
Retailer Registration Opens
Payments due in the RJO Office
May 14th
Mother's Day
May 20th
Deadline to vote for Vendor of the Year
May 29th
Memorial Day- RJO Office Closed
WHATS HAPPENING AT RJO THIS MONTH...
RockTour RockTour
2023 2023
The 2023 RJO Rock Tour is booking into the alternate itinerary for this year ' s trip If interested in joining RJO on the 2023 Rock Tour, please contact Jodi at the RJO office.
Now Booking
Second Itinerary Dates:
Antwerp-October8th-13th
London-October13th-15th
Idar-Oberstein-October15th-18th
jodi@rjomembers.com
641 841 1438
The latest RJO news and announcements
So much has happened since our last newsletter and we have a lot of share with you! Our Diamond Painting Art Auction raised over $10,400 for the RJO Foundation. Paintings were shipped out this week and should be arriving soon. Thank you to everyone who participated in this important fundraiser.
Planning for Philadelphia is well underway, registration guides will be in your mailbox in a few days. If you haven't made your hotel reservations you should be sure to do that now The reservation links have been released for several weeks We are adding more rooms weekly and can't wait to see you all in Philadelphia!
Next on the horizon, RJO Board of Directors elections We are accepting applications for candidates through May 5th, so if you have ever thought you would be a good fit for RJO Leadership - apply soon Voting will open up May 12th so take a few minutes to learn more about the candidates and make your voice heard Historically speaking, these elections have a very small voter turnout (less than 10%) and we want to see that change! As a member-owned organization YOUR VOICE MATTERS and this election is an opportunity to elect individuals to represent YOU and YOUR STORE for the future of RJO
Spring has a lot of offer our RJO Retail Membership, so please be sure you are staying up-to-date with all RJO announcements. Be sure you are checking your email and watching RJOExclusive on Facebook for upcoming announcements about the RJO European Rock Tour, RJO Elections, ways to support the RJO Foundation and the upcoming Summer Buying Show in Philadelphia!
Have a great May!
There are only a few spots left for the GIA Diamond Grading Lab Course to be held this August. The class can only hold 15 participants so contact the RJO office to sign up for this opportunity.
Many RJO Elections are happening this month Be sure you watch your email and vote Vote VOTE!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
VENDOR OF THE YEAR
RJO Vendors do so much to make each and every RJO store successful Which vendor has gone above and beyond for your store this year? Is there a sales representative that comes to mind when you think of award-winning customer service and who brings a smile to your face each visit. RJO wants to recognize these companies and individuals who continue to raise the bar to help you thrive in today's competitive market.
You can now vote for the 2023 RJO Vendor of the Year Award Please check your email (or scan the QR Code below) and take a moment to complete the quick ballot that will help us narrow down the top vendors in RJO We will celebrate the winners at our upcoming show in Philadelphia Show your favorite vendors some love in the following categories: Loose, Finished, Watches, Service/Specialty and Sales Representative of the Year.
SCANTHISQRCODETO VOTE!
THEDEADLINEFORNOMINATIONSIS1PMONFRIDAY,MAY20TH!
MAY 2023
Newsletter
RJO VENDOR OF THE YEAR! VOTE TODAY! CONTACT US Phone: 800-247-1774 | E-mail: rjo@rjomembers.com | Website: www.rjomembers.com | Facebook: RJOExclusive
SPARKLE, SHINE, REPEAT
THINGS YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS THIS SHOW:
Friday Night Kick-Off Reception
Next Gen Events & Social Hours
Antwerp Rock Tour Reception
A chance to win $12,000 in the Jewelers Jackpot
Monday FUNday!
REGISTRATION OPENS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10TH!
HOTEL UPDATE: ROOMS ARE FILLING UP FAST!
Last month we released the hotel room block link to retailers only and you all jumped on the opportunity to book your room before the link was released to vendors At the time this newsletter went to print, the hotel room block was nearly full but we are adding rooms as they become available
As a reminder, RJO only covers room nights Friday through Monday for qualifying retailers (over $50,000 purchases in previous year). Thursday nights are not covered by RJO Any upgrades are the responsibility of the guest
6. GIA Seminars
7. Saturday Seminars
8 Friday's Vendor Affiliates
9 Brain Gain Breakouts
10 Your RJO Family!
HELPFUL TIPS FOR REGISTRATION:
1.) Do NOT list your cell phone number. Registration information is shared with Vendor Partners Please list only your store phone number
2) Within a few minutes of submitting your registration you should receive an email confirmation Check your spam folder to be sure it's not there If you do not receive your confirmation, your registration did not come through
3 ) Read the Registration Packet Packets will be mailed out May 10th Be sure to read the packet to learn about what options are being offered this show
4.) Plan a staff meeting to discuss what events and seminars each attendee in your store is going to want to attend at the show.
5.) Make sure you do not overlap events such as seminars. This helps to be sure we get accurate attendee counts to the hotel.
6 ) Remember you must be registered by June 28th
7 ) Be sure you book hotel rooms for you and your staff As a reminder, RJO only covers room nights Friday through Monday for qualifying retailers (over $50,000 purchases in previous year) Thursday nights are not covered by RJO Any upgrades are the responsibility of the guest
8 ) If you need to make changes to your show registration after it has been submitted, including adding or removing attendees from events, please e-mail kristi@rjomembers.com listing what (or who) needs changed.
PHILADELPHIA SEMINAR TOPICS:
Retirement & Succession
Estate Planning for Everyday People
Navigating Social Media Trends
Dealing with Difficult People
Effectively Scaling Your Business
New Laws
Workplace Harassment
Bridal Jewelry Role-Playing
Leadership Strategies
State of the Industry Panel
Selling Leftover Diamonds
Inventory Management
Refining Old Inventory
Showcasing Your Merchandise
FROM SPEAKERS LIKE...
MONDAY FUNDAY
BE
FOR STARTERS...
RJO wants to make the last day of the show a great one, so we ’ re calling it RJO’s Monday Funday. Offering a new and very funny Monday keynote to start your day, followed by some games created to encourage your participation on the show floor, you ’ re not going to want to leave this show early!Any upgrades are the responsibility of the guest
YOUR CHANCE TO WIN...
Monday has a chance to award some lucky jewelers with not one but TWO chances to win All Monday attendees are entered into a drawing to win the Jewelers Jackpot- a shopping spree valued over $12,000!
But that's not all. All Monday attendees are invited to participate in the RJO Poker Run. You can visit any of our participating vendors to receive a playing card The attendee who makes the best poker hand- WINS!
1. 2. 3 4 5
TRAVEL
STAY FOR MONDAY FUN-DAY!
SURE TO EXTEND YOUR
TO
SCANTHISQRCODETO BOOKYOURROOMS!
Rick Hayes Sara Yood Vince Rath Edge Retail Academy, Megan Crabtree, Jennifer Shaheen, Nick Failla, Ross Cockerham and more!
Registration opens W E D N E S D A Y M A Y 1 0 T H
Calling all Home Chefs!
RJO Foundation is calling all RJO home chefs as we come together to create Recipe Gems: An RJO Family Cookbook. We are hoping our RJO retailers and vendors will participate in creating this book by submitting your favorite recipes. It's free to submit your recipes, and you can share as many recipes as you would like Finished cookbooks will be available for sale at the 2023 Summer Buying Show
HOWTOSUBMITYOURRECIPES
Email: rjostaff@gmail.com
Fax: 641.792.9251
Complete form by scanning the QR code here:
A c c e p t i n g r e c i p e s t h r o u g h A p r i l 3 0 t h
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
members who are willing to serve a three-year term on this board. Applications are being accepted now through
FRIDAY, MAY 5TH
SCAN THE CODE TO APPLY TODAY! il
JOIN US IN EUROPE THIS FALL!
ANNOUNCING our 2nd RJO Rock Tour Itinerary for 2023!
Due to our 1st buying tour of Idar-Oberstein SELLING OUT we are opening up this alternate schedule for retail members wishing to join the European buying experience!
Now Booking
First Trip Dates:
Idar-Oberstein October 5th-8th
Antwerp- October 8th-13th
London- October 13th-15th
Trip Filled!
Second Itinerary Dates:
Antwerp- October 8th-13th
London- October 13th-15th
Idar-Oberstein- October 15th-18th
Antwerp, Belgium
OCTOBER 8TH - 13TH
Meet up with the RJO Rock Tour in Antwerp, Belgium for five days in the dazzling Diamond District. You will tour the Diamond District, meet up with RJO Vendor Partners, and network with other retailers on the trip See the sites and sounds of Antwerp and find those perfect pieces for your customers!
London, England
OCTOBER 13TH - 15TH
After Antwerp you are invited to travel with the RJO crew via train from Antwerp to London via Brussels Once there, RJO retailers can tour the city on their own and meet up with the group in the evenings. RJO travelers who visited Idar-Oberstein before Antwerp will depart from London to the United States
Idar-Oberstein, Germany
OCTOBER 15TH - 18TH
Those who are not headed home, will head for Idar-Oberstein, Germany to meet with the Rolf H. Mueller team. Christian and Baerbel will delight your eyes with their outstanding color offerings This unique buying opportunity will bring all the beauty and enchantment from Idar-Oberstein, Germany, for you to look, loupe and feel in person. This crew will participate in coloredstone education, a personalized buying experience as well as excursions and festivities that immerse you in the German culture. Please see reverse for Idar-Oberstein package pricing.
SCAN THIS CODE TO BOOK TODAY!
Sunday, Oct. 15th
Travel from London to Germany
RHM will transfer guests from Frankfurt to Idar
Welcome Reception Group Dinner hosted by RHM
About the Trip
Monday, Oct. 16th
RHM Tour and Education
Gem Cutting Demo
Afternoon excursions
Dinner provided at a historical restaurant
RJO is proud to be bringing back an important stop on our 2023 Rock Tour: Idar- Oberstein
After traveling to Antwerp and London with the rest of the RJO team, this group of travelers will arrive in Frankfurt on Sunday, October 15th and the Rolf Mueller team will provide top-notch education and personalized shopping experiences on Monday, October 16th and Tuesday, October 17th before departing for the states on Wednesday, October 18th Christian and Baerbel will delight your eyes with their outstanding color offerings. This unique buying opportunity will bring all the beauty and enchantment from Idar-Oberstein, Germany, for you to look, loupe and feel in person
Tuesday, Oct. 17th
Gemstone Buying Event
Photo Opportunity with special guest
Afternoon Excursion to Herrstein
Hunsrück BBQ party event
Included in the Trip
Accommodations (While in Idar-Oberstein Only)
Hotel accommodations and fees
Dinner on all days
Daytime food and drinks (excludes liquor)
Transportation (While in Idar-Oberstein Only)
Local transportation costs
Bus travel between Frankfurt to Idar-Oberstein
Bus travel back to Frankfurt
Education & Excursions (While in Idar-Oberstein Only)
Colored Gemstone Education Seminar
All event fees, including entrance fees
Hunsrück BBQ party event
Package Pricing
Single Package Price: $1,000
Additional traveler: $800
(Double Occupancy) (Single Occupancy)
Early Bird Pricing discounts
$800 if deposit paid by April 28th, 2023
$900 if deposit paid by July 31st, 2023
$250 non-refundable deposit required
Early Bird Pricing discounts
$600 if deposit paid by April 28th, 2023
$750 if deposit paid by July 31st, 2023
$250 non-refundable deposit required/traveler
Final payment no later than Aug 11th
Contact Jodi at the RJO Office with questions or to sign up for the trip!
641 841 1438
jodi@rjomembers.com
THIS CODE TO BOOK TODAY!
SCAN
OPENNOW! Roomswillgofast... BookToday!
