The NAJ has revealed how it plans to continue with its successful lockdown webinars and coffee breaks through a revised monthly ‘NAJ Live’ format.
Sarah Duncan from Chiswick Auctions, who previously presented one of the most popular ‘lockdown’ seminars on ‘Sentimental Jewellery’, will be a keynote speaker alongside Alex Kettler, Head of Media at Richard Winterton Auctioneers, for the first digital NAJ Live.
The NAJ Live format will include three webinar presentations, with Helen Dimmick NAJ Retail Ambassador hosting proceedings.
After the webinar sessions have closed, attendees will have the opportunity to join one of three ‘bubbles’ to talk to other members around a specific subject, in a more informal setting likened to the coffee break calls that take place every Wednesday morning.
Starting at 10am on Thursday 30th July, Helen will start proceedings and provide insight into how the industry is dealing with the effects of COVID-19, as well as reminding attendees of the Association’s activities to date.
Speakers
10.00 Welcome, Helen Dimmick, NAJ Retail Ambassador
Bringing you up to date on where the jewellery community is at this moment, what reports are in from retailers and some of the activities that are in progress, will appear in this welcome from Helen, a popular figure who has certainly been busy during the last three months.
10:15 The Ultimate Sentiment; the engagement ring, Sarah Duncan
The concept of marriage may go back millennia, but the idea of a diamond engagement ring is decidedly modern. This talk will encompass how diamonds became ‘a girl’s best friend’, how trends in engagement rings have evolved and how modern couples are throwing out the ‘rule book’ only to accidentally embrace age-old traditions.
Sarah Duncan of Chiswick Auctions has extensive experience in the jewellery industry, having led the Jewellery department for over three years. Prior to that, she spent six years working in the jewellery department at Bonhams.
Sarah has personally handled several high-profile collections and was directly responsible for consigning the top jewellery lot ever sold in-house.
11.00 ‘Member Marketplace’ benefit in focus; Richard Winterton Auctions, Alex Kettler
NAJ recently launched the Member Marketplace where additional incentives are published that industry members offer to other NAJ Members.
One such Member Marketplace incentive is 45% off commission from the final hammer price, provided by Richard Winterton Auctioneers.
The Winterton family name has been synonymous with auctioneering in Staffordshire since 1864 and has recently joined the Association.
In addition to the incentive, Richard Winterton Auctioneers offer Members and Fellows of the IRV a complimentary advice service for pre-sale estimates and likely open market values.
11.30 What you didn’t know about Cufflinks, Jenny Knott
The history and social significance of cufflinks is a lot more sentimental than you might think. Starting off with some of the earliest (17th century) cufflinks, Jenny Knott, a former Bonhams and Holloway’s consultant, will talk about how they came into being, how they evolved, following jewellery trends of the time.
Then, bringing you through time via ‘the heyday of cufflinks’ (early 20th Century) the talk will move on to how cufflinks remain relevant in today’s more casual world.
12.00 Comfort break
12.15 Themed ‘Bubbles’ (links will be posted on the webinar platform).
Bubble 1: Sentimental Jewellery with Sarah Duncan and Lindsey Straughton, NAJ Ambassador.
Bubble 2: Get the most out of your Member Marketplace with Richard Winterton and Garry Lane, NAJ Partnerships Manager
Bubble 3: Consumer confidence with Helen Dimmick, NAJ Retail Ambassador and Scott Williams, Head of Membership
The NAJ Live is for members only, but a limited number of guest passes are available for non-members to apply for on registration.
Links:
Event signup: https://my.demio.com/ref/XrUkUke3HPzD5sVI
Join the NAJ: https://www.naj.co.uk/join
NAJ Coffee Break: https://www.naj.co.uk/whats-on/coffeebreak
About the NAJ:
We are the leading voice for the UK Jewellery industry, shaping the way for our 2,000 member companies employing 24,000 people. We protect, promote and prepare our members to make them Fit for the Future.
We nurture, support and enable the jewellery community by providing insight, education, advice and a voice to, and for, the sector. Thus everyone can stay a step ahead of change and do better business.
