The Gemological Institute of America will host a “Mini” Jewelry Career Fair at The JCK Show ~ Las Vegas May 31st, featuring 21 career coaches and five speakers. 

The Mini Career Fair begins with a short “state of the industry” address by the GIA’s president and chief executive officer, Donna Baker. Following, she will moderate the “Job Success in Today’s Market” panel, which includes 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 Corp. This panel will provide insight on how to maximize career opportunities in today’s market climate.

The career coaches, all notable industry leaders, will provide one-on-one sessions with attendees, offering tips for success in specialized categories including design, career information, networking, resume review, and business start-up and entrepreneurship. Each private session will last 15 minutes.

The GIA Mini Jewelry Career Fair, sponsored by JCK Events, is a condensed version of the institute’s popular career coaching and job search advice event that has helped place job candidates in the jewelry industry for the last 18 years. Although no on-site recruiting will be available, GIA will provide information on current career opportunities in the gem and jewelry industry.

The GIA Mini Jewelry Career Fair will be held May 31st in the Zeno Room 4702 at the Venetian Conference Center. The opening session will take place from 10–11 a.m., followed by coaching sessions through 1:15 p.m. The doors will open at 9:30 a.m. for career coaching sign-ups. The event is free and open to all with no advance registration or show badge required.     

Those interested in attending the GIA Mini Jewelry Career Fair should visit www.gia.edu/careerfair, call (800) 421-7250 ext. 4100, or e-mail careerfair@gia.edu. JCK Show exhibitors and buyers interested in having their openings for jobs and internships listed in materials that will be distributed at the GIA Mini Jewelry Career Fair should contact Danielle Aposhian at daposhian@reedexpo.com or call (203) 840-5837.

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.

About GIA:
An independent nonprofit organization, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. Established in 1931, GIA has translated its expert knowledge into the most respected gemological education available. Early in the 1950s, GIA invented the famous Four Cs of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight. In 1953, the Institute created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. GIA can be found on the web at www.gia.edu. Media queries contact: Laura Simanton, (760) 603-4112 or Jessica Sachariason, (760) 603-4197.

JCK