7. PRIME JEWELRY GROUP ANNOUNCES UPCOMING SHOWS The Prime Jewelry Group announces the expansion of its schedule of invitation-only shows slated for late summer and fall 2004. A new event, scheduled for Oct. 10-11 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Sarasota, Fla., has been added to the original roster of events in Houston (Aug. 29-30 at the InterContinental Hotel), Dearborn, Mich. (Sept. 12-13, in conjunction with the Michigan Jewelers Association convention at the Ritz Carlton), and Falls Church, Va. (Sept. 19-20 at the Marriott Fairview Park).

The Prime Jewelry Group, organized and managed by the Southern Jewelry Travelers Association, was established in 2002 with the goal of finding a safer alternative for traveling jewelry salespeople to show their lines to independent jewelry retailers. The events feature 30 vendors, who invite selected retailers from the region to attend. Retail attendees receive complimentary meals, an afternoon cocktail reception, and those who pre-register receive a $100 gift certificate to use on one order of $1,000 or more when they arrive.

“The Prime Group goes above and beyond to create a relaxed, inviting atmosphere for jewelry retailers,” said Carol Young, executive director of the Southern Jewelry Travelers Association. For information, contact SJTA, (800) 241-0399 or (404) 634-3434; email: info@atlantajewelryshow.com.

Separately, SJTA has expanded its “You Buy, You Fly” buyer program for its summer show, scheduled for August 7-9 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta. The program gives buyers opportunities to earn Delta SkyMiles based on orders placed at the show. The enhanced program, “Buy More, Fly More” (sponsored by JCK magazine), will award a 25% mileage bonus to buyers who receive 20,000 or more miles from exhibitors based on their purchases at the show.

The only trade show buyer incentive program of its kind in the jewelry industry, the You Buy, You Fly program was launched last winter. SJTA purchased more than four million Delta SkyMiles for exhibitors to award to customers for orders written at the show.

JCK