Inside Track May 2024 Edition

Class

of IMPORTANT DATES

May

May 1st

Vendor Registration Opens

(Book your hotel before this day)

May 3rd

Last day to submit application for RJO Board of Directors

May 10th

Payments due in the RJO office

May 10th- June 3rd

RJO Board of Directors Election

May 12th

Mother’s Day

May 16th

Retailer Registration Opens

RJO Summer Buying Show

May 17th

Last day to vote for Vendor of the Year Awards

May 27th

RJO Office Closed- Memorial Day

The latest RJO news and announcements

POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE

The RJO office is buzzing with excitement as we prepare to bid farewell to not one, not two, but SIX seniors from RJO HQ. The anticipation has been palpable since last year, and now, as graduation season unfolds, our team is not only immersed in the hustle of planning for Buying Shows but also orchestrating memorable graduation parties to honor our graduating “babies.” You can flip over this newsletter to meet these delightful young adults. It's a time of celebration and reflection, marking both the culmination of academic achievements and the beginning of new adventures for our talented seniors.

Planning for St. Louis is well underway, registration guides will be in your mailbox later this month. 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.

Next on the horizon, RJO Board of Directors elections. We are accepting applications for candidates through May 3rd, so if you have ever thought you would be a good fit for RJO Leadership - apply soon. Voting will open on May 10th , please 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 to offer our RJO Retail Membership, please be sure you are staying up-to-date with all RJO announcements. Review your email often and keep an eye on RJOExclusive (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 St. Louis!

Have a great May!

MARKYOURCALENDARSFOR AUGUST2-5,2024

REGISTRATIONOPENSMAY16TH!

As a reminder, RJO hotel room block is open now

LOOKING AHEAD...

BOOK YOUR ROOMS NOW FOR ST. LOUIS FRIDAY, AUGUST 2ND - MONDAY, AUGUST 5TH

It's here! RJO gives retail members the FIRST CHANCE at booking in the host hotel for the 2024 Summer Buying Show in St Louis, Missouri! But book quickly, because we are releasing the link to vendors on May 1st!

Rooms WILL go fast, so book your rooms NOW! This link is currently ONLY available to RJO retailers, so be sure to secure your rooms for you and your team in the host hotel TODAY! Retailer registration opens on May 16th, but many times, we are already booking into an overflow property by that point Don't wait!

A helpful tip: be sure to set a calendar reminder to register your store for the show when registration opens on May 16th.

MARRIOTTST LOUISGRAND

800WASHINGTONAVENUE ST LOUIS,MO63101,

Graduates!

Did you know, the RJO staff has SIX graduating seniors this May? We wanted to take a minute to brag on these pretty great young adults

Drew

Keegan

RJO Mom: Emily DeWitt

Future Plans: Join the Workforce

SCANTHISQRCODETO BOOKYOURROOMS!

August 2024: GIA ALUMNI SEMINARS

These seminars take place at the St Louis Buying Show on Friday, August 2nd. All participants receive a certificate of completion.

Cost: $195/attendee

RJO VENDOR OF THE YEAR! VOTE TODAY!

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 2024 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 St. Louis. Show your favorite vendors some love in the following categories: Loose, Finished, Watches, Service/Specialty and Sales Representative of the Year

SCANTHISQRCODE TOVOTE!

RJO Mom: Sarah Streb

Future Plans:

Attend Wartburg College and play football Major in Business Management or Finance

Karter

RJO Mom: Sabrina Smead

Cameron

RJO Mom: Erin Sharp

Future Plans: Attend Graceland University, and run track and cross country Major in Elementary Education

Future Plans: Attend Cornell College and play football Major in Sports Management

RJO Grandma: Kristi Nelson

Future Plans: Join the workforce

RJO Mom: Amanda Corzette

Future Plans:

Attend Indian Hills then the University of Iowa Major in Criminology

REGISTRATION OPENS

THURSDAY, MAY 16TH

Experience! BENCHJEWELERS

We are inviting you to RJO’s first ever Bench Jeweler Experience. This immersive seminar series is crafted exclusively for RJO Bench Jewelers and will provide the perfect opportunity for attendees to connect with peers, refine skills, exchange insights and advance craftsmanship. Registration fee is $100. Secure your spot and invest in your professional growth!

MaximizingProfitsUsingALaserWelder

ScottIsaacs|1:30pm-2:50pm

$100 per attendee FRIDAY, AUGUST 2ND

DiscoverhowtocaptivateyourcommunityandattractnewcustomersbyofferingessentialserviceslikeComplimentaryRingCleanings andInspectionsLearntheartofcultivatinglastingcustomerrelationshipsbyprovidingvaluableservicesthatsetyourbusinessapart fromthecompetition

Gaininvaluableinsightsintotherepairintakeprocess,frominitialassessmenttopricingandgeneratingaccuratequotesUncoverclosely guardedindustrysecretsaswedemystifytherepairprocessandshareexperttipsforpricingandquotingthatmaximizeprofitability

Delveintotheintricaciesofprongrebuildingtechniques,includingthegroundbreakingconceptofpulseshaping.Explorehowpulse shapingenablesyoutopreciselycraftprongsdirectlyovergemstonesanddiamonds,ensuringunmatchedprecisionandqualityinyour repairsseparatingyourbusinessfromthecompetitionwithinnovationandefficiency

Whetheryou'reaseasonedprofessionalinthejewelryrepairindustryorjuststartingout,thisseminarequipsyouwiththeknowledge andtechniquesneededtoelevateyourbusinesstonewheightsofprofitabilityDon'tmissthisopportunitytorevolutionizeyour approachtojewelryrepairandmaximizeyourprofitswithlaserweldingtechnologyJoinusandtransformyourbusinesstoday!

MasteringyourWorkspace:EffectiveTechniquesandToolsforOrganizingYourJeweler'sBench

MichaelNashef,ORGOTools&A&AJewelrySupply | 3:00pm-3:30pm

UnlockthesecretstoaseamlesslyorganizedjewelrybenchwithourupcomingseminarledbyourseasonedjewelryexpertMichael NashefownerandinventorofORGOToolsDelveintotherealmofjewelrymakingwherecreativitymeetsefficiency,anddiscoverhow well-designedtoolscanrevolutionizeyourworkspace

Inthisengagingseminar,ourspeakerwillnavigatethroughtheintricaciesofjewelrybenchorganization,showcasingthetransformative powerofpurposefuldesignThroughinsightfuldemonstrationsandpracticaltips,participantswilllearnhowtooptimizetheirworkspace formaximumproductivityandcreativity.

Fromcleverstoragesolutionstoergonomictooldesigns,attendeeswillexplorearangeofstrategiestostreamlinetheirworkflowand enhancetheircraftWhetheryou'reanovicejeweleroraseasonedartisan,thisseminaroffersvaluableinsightstailoredtoelevateyour craftandelevateyourworkspace

A Clean Shop is a Profitable Shop: Optimizing Bench Jewelers' Workshops for Profitable Precious Metal Reclamation

Brian Shellenback, UPMR | 3:40pm - 4:10pm

This presentation is a comprehensive guide tailored for bench jewelers seeking to streamline their repair and custom shop operations while maximizing profitability through precious metal refining We will dive into practical strategies and techniques to maintain a clean and efficient workshop streamlined to minimize waste, while exploring equipment and procedures that effectively segregate Gold, Silver, Platinum, and other categories of high - low grade precious metal material, ensuring every ounce is utilized to its fullest potential Join us as we learn to manage our metals!

Jewel Repair 101: Best Practices for dealing with Repairs

Ross Wesdorp, Jewel Craft | 4:20pm - 4:50pm

Amidst soaring metal markets, prioritizing the repair facet of your business becomes imperative This seminar delves into optimal approaches for handling jewelry repairs, aiming for seamless processes within your shop and utmost satisfaction for your clientele We'll address common pitfalls and bottlenecks encountered by bench jewelers and trade shops, while also exploring avenues to boost revenue and foster trust with customers

Bench Jeweler Roundtable

Facilitated by Devon Bond, Garrick’s Jewelers | 5:00pm - 5:30pm

Join us for an engaging roundtable discussion led by Devon Bond from Garrick's Jewelers! This 30-minute session is tailor-made for you, offering a platform to ask questions, share insights, and enhance your craft Whether you're looking to refine your skills, share tips and tricks, troubleshoot problems, or simply connect with peers in the industry, this seminar is not to be missed

RJO SUMMER BUYING SHOW

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI | AUGUST 2, 2024

COMING TO ST. LOUIS!

Scan this code to

SIGN UP TODAY!

RJO is incredibly excited to partner with GIA Alumni Collective™ to present two continuing education seminars led by experts from industry heavyweight and a leader in education, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Seminars will be held on-site in St. Louis at the RJO Summer Buying Show. Space is very limited as each seminar is limited to 24 participants and attendees must be pre-registered to attend There is a $195 fee per attendee for each seminar and includes all course materials and supplies including a Letter of Attendance.

INTRODUCTIONTOCOLOREDSTONES

TIME:FRIDAY,AUGUST2,2024,3:00 4:30PM

This seminar will introduce the core concepts that buyers and sellers of colored stones should know to have informed discussions with their customers, including how to identify and explain key attributes that determine a gem’s value, common treatments applied to gems and how to translate characteristics into compelling features and benefits.

Participants are encouraged to ask questions as they are guided by a GIA instructor who will share their expertise through illustrations, images and lecture. This course is ideal for sales associates, colored gemstone investors and enthusiasts

OVERVIEWOFLABORATORY-GROWNDIAMONDS

TIME:FRIDAY,AUGUST2,2024,5:00 6:30P.M.

This seminar will provide essential knowledge about laboratory-grown diamonds that will give gem and jewelry professionals the confidence to have responsible discussions with their customers. Key topics will include the main production methods (HPHT and CVD), a review of important U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations, and the services, methods and instruments that can help to distinguish laboratory-grown and natural diamonds, including GIA Laboratory Reports and the GIA iD100™ gem testing device.

Participants are encouraged to ask questions as they are guided by a GIA instructor who will share their expertise through illustrations, images and lecture This course is ideal for sales associates, colored gemstone investors and enthusiasts