MJSA Expo New York is offering a program of seminars on surviving the nation’s economic downturn, capitalizing on jewelry trends, complying with the new lead-content law, and other issues that could make or break a company.

“MJSA’s fundamental mission is to provide services that help jewelry manufacturers and designers compete and prosper,” says David C. Cochran, Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America president. “Their needs can change from year to year, and we have to respond. This year we tailored Expo seminars for the recession—and also to serve the industry’s many new, smaller companies as well as our traditional membership.”

The free presentations, scheduled for the show’s March 8-10 run at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, will deliver expert, direction-changing insights for jewelry manufacturers and retailers, MJSA said in a statement.

Attendees can learn “What Retailers Want from Manufacturers” from the perspective of QVC, Zales, Tiffany, and Lux Bond & Green executives. Analyst Ken Gassman will present “Marketing to Gen Y: The New Generation of Jewelry Buyers.” For design direction, there’s “Runway to Reality: Capitalizing on Fashion and Jewelry Trends.” For advice on getting a design business off the ground, there’s consultant Marlene Richey’s “Profiting By Design: A Jewelry Maker’s Guide to Business Success.”

MJSA Expo New York also will offer expert guidance on two important financial topics: “The Basics of Memo Transaction: The Do’s and Don’ts of Trading on Memo,” which Cecilia Gardner of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee and Dione Kenyon of the Jewelers Board of Trade will provide. And with the credit crunch drying up access to operating funds, more companies need to know the ins and outs of “Financing Precious Metals and Diamonds.”

Other experts will tackle a regulatory issue whose potentially widespread effects may catch many jewelry makers unaware and unprepared: the new law restricting lead content in children’s jewelry.

In addition, six industry leaders—Rich Powers, president/CEO of Cookson Precious Metals; Dave Meleski, president of the Richline Group; Tim Dinneny, managing director of ScotiaMocatta Metals; leading designers Michael Bondanza and Maeve Gillies; and moderator Doug McDowell of Memoir—will offer their insights into the economy at “How Bad Is Bad and What Good Might Come from It?”

JCK