In celebration of its 25th anniversary this year, the Women’s Jewelry Association’s annual Awards for Excellence will include a special tribute to industry leaders who have supported the organization, including all its past presidents and past and current Hall of Fame and Ben Kaiser Award recipients. 

The gala dinner will be held at Chelsea Piers in New York City on July 27 at 6:00 p.m.

Among those being recognized are Ann Arnold, Jane Baum, Phyllis Bergman, Nancy Brewer, Terry Burman, Bill Boyajian, Babette Goodman Cohen, Ralph Destino, Helene Fortunoff, Mary Forte, Gerry Gewirtz, Linda Goldstein, June Herman, Laurie Hudson, Juell Kadet, Ben Kaiser, Kathryn Kimmel, Peggy Kirby, Anna Martin, Eunice Robinson Miles, Sallie Morton, Joan Parker, Beryl Raff, Rachel Rosin, Harriet Schreiner, Hedda Schupak, and Tina Segal.

Sybil Yurman, president and chief marketing officer of David Yurman, will receive WJA’s 2008 “Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award,” and Steven Kaiser, president and CEO of Kaiser Time, will be the recipient of the “Ben Kaiser Award.”

The 2008 Awards for Excellence gala is being totally redesigned for WJA’s Silver Anniversary, according to Dinner Chair Lisa Cochin of Diamond Promotion Service.  “We have a great evening planned,” said Cochin.  “In addition to the award ceremony that highlights WJA’s achievements over the past 25 years, there will be special entertainment to mark this memorable evening followed by a dessert and dance reception, which was a huge hit last year.” 

A Silent Auction, which raises monies for WJA scholarship and grant programs, will feature a trip for two to Bermuda and a private cooking class and luncheon for four sponsored by Gourmet Magazine, among hundreds of other items. Companies or individuals who would like to contribute to the WJA Silent Auction should contact Adrienne Vogel at 914-628-0330 or by email to vogue_events@att.net.

In addition, guests will have the chance to win a special Hearts On Fire diamond ring, generously donated by the company.

“Our annual Awards for Excellence dinner is one of the most highly anticipated social events of the year and typically draws over 600 movers and shakers,” said WJA President Yancy Weinrich, Industry VP, JCK Events. “We are so grateful to all our sponsors and especially to our three “Pillars of Distinction”: Platinum Guild International, Jewelers Mutual Insurance, and David Yurman, who have supported us throughout this anniversary year.”

Tickets for the event are $325 for members and $365 for non-members and are available at www.womensjewelry.org.

JCK