The 2008 Jewelers Executive Conference, being held on March 14-16 at the Doubletree Hotel Overland Park, Kan., will include an inside look at the “white metal revolution.” On March 16, the Palladium Alliance International and the Platinum Guild International are sponsoring morning and midday educational programs with Scott Kay and Cari Golden. They will explain why the past decade ushered in the white metal revolution and provide jewelers a look at how to make that revolution a positive part of their future.

Scott Kay, America’s most vocal advocate of palladium, is credited with the resurgence of white metal jewelry in America. Platinum became fashionable in this country in the early 1900’s, but it was banned from use as jewelry during World War II, and did not make a return until Kay brought it back in the early 1980’s. Today his bridal collection is the best selling bridal brand, and his engagement ring designs have been selected for the wedding series broadcast on NBC’s Today Show and ABC’s Good Morning America. His fine fashion jewelry line is worn by fellow celebrities the world over and constantly gains press in today’s most read fashion publications. He has appeared on more than 500 television shows and is a frequently requested speaker for global industry events and consumer talk shows. In Scott’s presentation, “The Art of Design in Precious Metals,” he will shed light on selling to jeweler’s biggest buying group, 25 year-olds becoming engaged and he will discuss why men’s jewelry is a very important segment in retail today.

Cari Golden has been recognized as “the eyes, the ears,and the voice” of the Platinum Guild International, an organization she has represented at trade shows and conferences around the world. Her research verifies why the demand for platinum is soaring and why white metal is the metal of choice for almost 75 percent of perspective brides and why jewelers need to “Take Back The Wedding” by making that special occasion a three-ring event. In addition to her travels with PGI, Golden has presented corporate training programs for The Walt Disney Company and Paramount Television. She specializes in looking past the excuses and finding the true basis for decisions. She says that regardless of price and/or budget, jewelers can win sales by guiding young and usually inexperienced buyers to the rings they really want without breaking the bank.

JCK