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This Year’s Portland Jewelry Symposium is Focused on the Future
“Future Think: Innovate, Create, & Thrive” is the theme of the tenth edition of the annual conference, to be held held Oct. 1 and 2.
This is an image taken of a presentation during last year's Portland Jewelry Symposium.
Portland, Ore.--The theme of the tenth edition of the annual Portland Jewelry Symposium, slated for October, is “Future Think: Innovate, Create, & Thrive.”
The conference will begin the evening of Sunday, Oct. 1, with a dinner and presentation by keynote speaker Peter Smith, CEO of Vibhor Gems and National Jeweler columnist.
Smith will speak about his 2016 article for National Jeweler, “What Will Become of Retail Jewelry Stores?” which was one of the most-read articles of the year.
On Monday, Oct. 2, speakers will include: digital manufacturing expert Kevin Abernathy of BisVentures; social media expert Peggy Jo Donahue, who will moderate a technology panel featuring Calla Gold, Wendy Brandes and Lisa Krikawa; retail business expert Becka Johnson Kibby from Edge Retail; Monica Stephenson of jewelry blog iDazzle and Anza Gems, speaking about responsible sourcing; and specialist in XRF analytics technology Jennifer Caban of Olympus.
The full line-up of speakers can be found on the Portland Jewelry Symposium website.
“Given the rapid evolution we are experiencing in both retail business models and manufacturing technologies, it is very timely for the symposium to take a deep dive into the innovative business models of tomorrow,” symposium founder Teresa Frye said.
“Beginning with our keynote address and continuing across all presentations and bench demonstrations, we endeavor to create a sense of the visionary at this year’s event.”
The conference costs $195 to attend and includes a networking dinner and drinks on Monday night.
The symposium will be held at The Sentinel Hotel in downtown Portland.
Those interested in attending may register online, call 503-652-5224 or email info@portlandjewelrysymposium.com.
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