International Gemological Institute expands education initiatives to boost consumer confidence and grow gem retailers' share of China's growth
BEIJING, Nov. 11, 2010 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- World-leading gem lab International Gemological Institute (IGI) hosted today an industry seminar entitled "Earning Trust -- Achieving Sales" at China International Jewellery Fair 2010. The fair begins today and runs through November 15.
The highlight of IGI's participation at China's premier jewelry event, the seminar was again conducted by Howard M Pomerantz, President of Premier Diamond Group and Global Ambassador of WFDB Mark. WFDB Mark symbolizes affiliation with the world federation of diamond exchanges.
This is the fifth in an annual series of IGI-sponsored lectures held in China's major cities. Each year, starting at Jewelry Shanghai -- where Pomerantz spoke in April -- IGI invites a world expert to address a timely topic of interest to owners and sales managers of major jewelry retailers across China.
Marc Brauner, IGI's Hong Kong-based CEO, said Pomerantz proved so popular in Shanghai that IGI asked him to return to lead the Beijing event. "Everyone wants to be in front in China's increasingly competitive retail environment," Brauner said. "Howard's presentation set out tremendous ideas on how to turn trust into capital to 'manufacture' sales again and again."
Brauner called the series a key part of IGI's education initiatives in China. In January, IGI agreed to jointly develop new gemological programs with Fudan University's Shanghai Institute of Visual Art to strengthen the school's jewelry design curriculum. "Education is a big part of our activities in all of our 17 worldwide operations," Brauner explained. "The jewelry trade and consumers turn to us repeatedly for our expertise."
On November 3, the world-renowned gem lab marked another milestone, officially opening an information center in Shanghai. The IGI facility offers customer support and promotes consumer confidence through seminars and talks. "It's been an instant hit, fielding calls from both retailers and consumers asking about upcoming programs all the time," Brauner said. "In fact, we had to organize two seminars before we'd even officially open."
He explained the center grew out of IGI's Retail Support Program begun in early 2009 to boost gem knowledge and selling skills of frontline store staff. "IGI training staff ended up getting invited to give classes across the country -- in fact, 30 cities to date." And benefits flowed both ways: "We ended up learning so much more about the China market we decided to widen our service base and put it under the umbrella of our new IGI center."
Besides its high-profile participation at Beijing, and in shows in Shanghai and Shenzhen earlier this year, IGI also participated at Shanghai World Expo as an official Diamond Partner at the Belgium-Eu pavilion. During the Expo, several thousands of certified diamonds and diamond jewelry items were sold at the Belgium pavilion's Diamond Corner.
For more on IGI Center, please contact: Mr Yao Yuan, Chief Representative, International Gemological Institute (Shanghai), 2004-2005 Lujiazui Plaza, 1600 Century Avenue, Shanghai. Tel: 021 3876 0730
About IGI
The International Gemological Institute (IGI), the world's largest independent laboratory for testing and evaluating gemstones and fine jewelry, was established in 1975 in Antwerp and is located in New York City, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Dubai, Bangkok, Tokyo, Tel Aviv, Los Angeles, Toronto, Kolkata, New Delhi and Surat. IGI is an ISO accredited worldwide organization. For additional information, please visit www.igiworldwide.com.
About Howard M. Pomerantz
Howard M. Pomerantz, President, Premier Diamond Group, was raised in a family retail jewelry business. Currently he serves as global Ambassador for the World Federation of Diamond Bourses Mark (WFDB Mark), writes the "Now and Next" column for Diamond World Magazine and remains a senior advisor to multi-national jewelry companies.
Howard was Executive Director of GIA Instruments where he designed and holds a patent for inventing the GIA digital microscope. In the 1980's he became Managing Director of Kerr Lab where he developed jewelry investment powder that allowed for diamond or gemstones to be set in wax allowing for the casting of hot metal in the investment.
As a past senior advisor to Martin Rapaport, Howard helped develop a strategic plan for Fair Trade Diamonds. Howard has also been a guest lecturer at various jewelry industry forums held in Switzerland, Italy, Russia, India, South Africa and here in China.
Pomerantz has been a Board Member of many industry organizations. He is currently active in the Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America (MJSA), The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO), the World Diamond Council (WDC) and the Jewelers 24kt Club.
In 2006 he was bestowed an honorary title, "Ambassador to the United States" from the Israel Diamond Bourse and recently Howard earned an Executive Masters Degree in International Business from Pepperdine University prestigious Graduate School of Business. He resides in Newport Beach, California.
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