Industry veteran has been covering watches since 1977

Jewelers of America has announced that Joe Thompson, the editor-in-chief of WatchTime magazine, will receive the 2016 GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Thompson began his career in the watch industry in 1997 with JCK (then called Jewelers’ Circular Keystone). He was named editor-in-chief of Modern Jeweler in 1982 and was the founding editor of American Time in 1996. He joined WatchTime in 2000.

During his career, he has received nine awards from the American Business Press and two from Sigma Delta Chi, the Society of Professional Journalists.

“As both chairman of the GEM Awards and from knowing Joe for more than 30 years, I couldn’t be more thrilled with the GEM Award Committee’s choice for Joe Thompson as our Lifetime Achievement Award winner,” said Norman Miller, executive vice president and publisher of Elite Traveler.  “Joe has been a mentor to me since I began at National Jeweler magazine in 1980 and embodies the spirit of what this award is about. His career has been dedicated to illuminating the fascinating business of our industry.”

The 14th annual GEM Awards ceremony will be held on Jan. 8 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.

JCK