Show managers for the Midwest Jewelry Expo reported that attendance at this year’s show was up significantly over previous years’ figures. In addition to exhibitors, the show featured a variety of seminars, including a full-day GIA training program that highlighted pearls and gemstones. In other seminars, jewelers learned how to increase their bottom lines by using direct mail, as well as how to increase the “presence” of their Web sites to draw in more customers. JCK columnist Brad Huisken of IAS Training presented a seminar on sales and marketing strategies, and Jurgen Maerz of Platinum Guild International provided practical bench techniques. The Saturday evening dinner dance brought together nearly 1,000 jewelers and vendors, with entertainment by the ’60s group The Association.

For information on the show, call the Wisconsin Jewelers Association at (877) 778-3537 or e-mail: wijewel@execpc.com.