The keynote panel for the upcoming MJSA Expo New York will take on the harsh economic realities in a discussion titled, “How Bad Is Bad and What Good Might Come From It?”

“With leadership comes responsibility,” said Curtis Ley, Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America’s interim chief executive officer, “It does little good to paint a rosy picture of the current state of the jewelry industry when so many companies are struggling for their very existence. It’s MJSA’s responsibility to examine the landscape and report on it with ruthless honesty. Only through frank discussion can practical solutions be found that will help floundering companies survive and competitive companies excel.”

The keynote panelists are successful industry executives with a broad spectrum of perspectives: Rich Powers, president and chief executive officer of Cookson Precious Metals; Dave Meleski, president of the Richline Group; Doug McDowell, president of Memoire; Michael Bondanza of Michael Bondanza Inc.; Tim Dinneny, managing director of ScotiaMocatta Metals; and Maeve Gillies, co-founder and owner of MaeVona.

The panel discussion will be held March 9 in the presentation area on the Expo New York show floor and will be free to all attendees. MJSA Expo New York 2009 will take place March 8-10 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

For more information or to register for the show, visit mjsa.org.

JCK