IAC ANNOUNCES SEVENTH ANNUAL GOLD CONFERENCE: “Creativity, Community & Collaboration”

From Press Release IAC ANNOUNCES SEVENTH ANNUAL GOLD CONFERENCE “Creativity, Community & Collaboration” Wednesday, April 26, 2017 – Friday, April 28, 2017 Today, Initiatives in Art & Culture (IAC) announced the agenda for its Seventh Annual Gold Conference, entitled “Creativity, Community & Collaboration,” taking place April 26-28, 2017. Presentation highlights include: “Transforming Retail,” a conversation with Andrea Hansen, Founder, LuxeIntelligence; Jim Tuttle, Founder and President, Green Lake Jewelry Works; and Mickey Alam Khan, Founder and Editor in Chief, Luxury Daily. “The Golden Menagerie: A Creative Journey,” a presentation by Jewelry Designer Temple St. Clair. “Regulatory Restrictions: Advocacy for and by Jewelers, Retailers, and Manufacturers,” Linus Drogs, Owner and President, AU Enterprises; Mark Hanna, Chief Marketing Officer, Richline Group, Inc.; Susan Thea Posnock, Director of Public Affairs and Education, Jewelers of America; Sarah Yood, Senior Counsel, Jewelers Vigilance Committee; moderated by Peggy Jo Donahue, Owner, Donahue Communications. “Heritage, Traditional Methods, and New World Education: Goldsmith's Hall and Goldsmith's Center – Bringing Jewelers Into the 21st Century,” a presentation by David Mills, Director of Communications and Marketing, Goldsmiths’ Company. “Cutting Through the Noise: Differentiating Between Editorial and Advertorial in Social Media,” a panel presentation with Barbara Palumbo, Founder,Adornmentality.com; Mark Smelzer, Publisher, JCK magazine and JCKonline.com; Trace Shelton, Editor in Chief, INSTORE Magazine; Monica Stephenson, Founder, idazzle; moderated by Peggy Jo Donahue, Owner, Donahue Communications. “Story Telling: The Importance of Narrative in Today's Jewelry Market,” Wendy Brandes, Jewelry Designer; Brandee Dallow, Director, North America Representative Office—Diamonds Sales and Marketing, Rio Tinto; Orin J. Mazzoni, III, Director, “Sharing the Rough;” Melissa Quick President, Steve Quick Jeweler; Steve Quick, CEO and Founder, Steve Quick Jeweler; Trace Shelton, Editor in Chief, INSTORE Magazine; moderated by Andrea Hill, Founder and CEO, Hill Management Group, LLC. IAC’s Seventh Annual Gold Conference sponsors include Signet Jewelers, Richline Group Ltd., Hoover & Strong, AU Enterprises, Freeman’s, the Society of North American Goldsmiths, Republic Metals Corp., and Unleashed. Events are hosted by Reinstein/Ross, Goldsmiths and Aaron Faber Gallery. “Each year, Initiatives in Art & Culture takes a 360-degree approach to the consideration of gold in keeping with our cross-disciplinary approach. We are delighted to work with the leading figures from throughout the world to present comprehensive information from the historical, to the predictive, to that which captures the here and now,” said Lisa Koenigsberg, President of Initiatives in Art & Culture. “In the Seventh Annual Gold Conference, we address the ‘Magic of Gold.’ Throughout the ages to this very day, this material has had an extraordinary impact on our culture, our economy, and our creativity. The 15 presentations offered at this event by some of the most interesting and authorative individuals in their fields explores that power and how they see it changing our future.” Richline Group Released these comments regarding its corporate involvement in this event: “One again, IAC will be presenting a grand vision of gold and gold jewelry. The annual event celebrates and educates all things gold with engaging presentations by experts for learning and entertainment,” said Mark Hanna, CMO of Richline Group. “Richline is always proud to support IAC’s gold conference, which fosters new and unique perspectives of the precious metal synonymous with lifetime value and enduring beauty. Hoover & Strong released this statement about its support of this event: "We are thrilled to support the Seventh Annual IAC Gold Conference. Since its early beginnings as a platinum metal refiner, Hoover & Strong has always provided socially and environmentally responsible products and services to the jewelry industry,” said Torry Hoover, President, Hoover & Strong. “Recycled, Fairmined and Fairtrade metal options are now readily available, so jewelers have opportunities to create the most beautiful eco-friendly jewels in the world. We support the efforts of the IAC Gold Conference in its ongoing commitment to exploring the issues of responsibility and ethical sourcing." Jewelry and Accessories Designer Kara Ross released this statement: “I am thrilled to be involved in IAC's Gold Conference because I believe in the power of collaboration through collective communities. The conference uses gold as a lens to explore industry issues such as sustainability and ethical sourcing; collaboration and new models of working, learning, and spreading skills,” said Kara Ross. “I only have one voice, but if we work together as an industry our messages will be amplified and heard.” Formal sessions for the conference will be held at The Graduate Center, The City University of New York (365 Fifth Ave.). Additionally, two private cocktail receptions and viewings will be hosted for conference attendees. On April 26, 2017, Reinstein/Ross, Goldsmiths will host a reception at its Downtown Store and Gallery (30 Gansevoort Street). And Aaron Faber Gallery, will host a reception and viewing on April 27, 2017 (666 Fifth Avenue). For further information regarding presenters, schedules and locations for events related to this conference, please see the following agenda. Those interested in attending can register at,  https://iacgold2017.eventbrite.com.  ### About Initiatives in Arts and Culture Initiatives in Arts and Culture (IAC) is an organization committed to educating diverse audiences in the fine, decorative, and visual arts, as well as architecture. IAC's primary activities are conferences, publications, and exhibitions. These take an interdisciplinary approach, considering issues related to fabrication, connoisseurship, cultural patrimony, cultural preservation, and the future of culture. Particular areas of emphasis include American painting, the history of frames, the Arts and Crafts movement (internationally and in the United States), the art of metalworking in America, the art of the frame, the influence of Asian cultures on American fine and decorative art, and the history and future of fashion and materials. IAC’s projects have been supported by a wide array of individual, corporate and foundation funders. Initiatives in Art and Culture’s Seventh Annual Gold Conference Agenda Wednesday, April 26, 2017 6:00–8:00 p.m. Kick-Off Reception and Viewing, Reinstein/Ross, Goldsmiths Downtown Store and Gallery, 30 Gansevoort Street (Remarks by Andrew Schloss, Creative Directive, Reinstein/Ross, Goldsmiths) Thursday, April 27, 2017 Location: sessions take place at The Graduate Center, City University of New York, 365 Fifth Ave. 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. “Stoned: Jewelry, Obsession, and How Desire Shapes the World,” Aja Raden author, Stoned: Jewelry, Obsession, and How Desire Shapes the World in conversation with Michelle Graff, Editor in Chief, National Jeweler. 10:20 – 11:05 a.m. “The Golden Menagerie: A Creative Journey,” a presentation by Jewelry Designer Temple St. Clair. 11:20 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. “Cutting Through the Noise: Differentiating Between Editorial and Advertorial in Social Media,” a panel presentation with Barbara Palumbo, Founder,adornmentality.com; Mark Smelzer, Publisher, JCK magazine and JCKonline.com; Trace Shelton, Editor in Chief, INSTORE Magazine; Monica Stephenson, Founder, idazzle; moderated by Peggy Jo Donahue, Owner, Donahue Communications. 12:15 – 1:00 p.m. “Transforming Retail,” a conversation with Andrea Hansen, Founder, LuxeIntelligence; Jim Tuttle, Founder and President, Green Lake Jewelry Works; and Mickey Alam Khan, Founder and Editor in Chief, Luxury Daily. 2:15 – 3:05 p.m. “Technological Alchemy: Alloys, Refining, and Other Transformations of Gold,” a panel presentation with Ted Doudak, Founder and CEO, Riva Precision Manufacturing, Inc.; Linus Drogs, Owner and President, AU Enterprises; Lindsey Rubin, Corporate Secretary, Republic Metals Corporation; Stewart Grice, Vice President, Mill Products, Hoover & Strong; moderated by Andrea Hill, Founder and CEO, Hill Management Group, LLC. 3:10 – 4:00 p.m. “New Models: Contemporary Collaborations and Collectives,” a panel presentation with Simon Alcantara, Jewelry Designer; Dean Harris, Jewelry Designer; Kara Ross, Jewelry and Accessories Designer; Nicholas Varney, Jewelry Designer; moderated by Victoria Gomelsky, Editor in Chief, JCK. 4:15 – 5:15 p.m. “Where Are We Now: The Journey Toward Ethical Sourcing, Transparency, and Responsible Practice,” a panel presentation with Cecilia Gardner, independent consultant, and General Counsel and Director, U.S. Kimberley Process Authority Institute; Stewart Grice, Vice President, Mill Products, Hoover & Strong; Sasha Lezhnev, Associate Director of Policy, Enough Project; Christina Miller, Industry Consultant; Elizabeth Orlando, Economic Officer, Bureau of Economic Affairs, Office of Threat Finance and Countermeasures, US Department of State; Toby Pomeroy, Jewelry Designer; Rob Bates, moderated by Senior Editor, JCK. 5:30 PM–7:00 PM Reception and Viewing at Aaron Faber Gallery, 666 Fifth Avenue Friday, April 28, 2017 Location: sessions take place at The Graduate Center, City University of New York, 365 Fifth Ave. 9:15 – 10:00 a.m. “Inspirations for 2018: Consumer Culture and Product Direction,” a presentation by Paola De Luca, Founder, The Futurist Ltd. 10:05 – 10:55 a.m. “Heritage, Traditional Methods, and New World Education: Goldsmith's Hall and Goldsmith's Center – Bringing Jewelers Into the 21st Century,” a presentation by David Mills, Director of Communications and Marketing, Goldsmiths’ Company. 11:10 – 11:55 a.m. “Nectar: A Collaborative Project in Gold Between Atelier Zobel and the Max-Plank Institute of Ornithology,” Peter Schmid, Owner and Creative Director, Atelier Zobel, and Sue Schmid, Manager, Atelier Zobel. 12:00 – 12:50 p.m. “Regulatory Restrictions: Advocacy for and by Jewelers, Retailers, and Manufacturers,” Linus Drogs, Owner and President, AU Enterprises; Mark Hanna, Chief Marketing Officer, Richline Group, Inc.; Susan Thea Posnock, Director of Public Affairs and Education, Jewelers of America; Sarah Yood, Senior Counsel, Jewelers Vigilance Committee; moderated by Peggy Jo Donahue, Owner, Donahue Communications. 2:00 – 2:55 p.m. “Story Telling: The Importance of Narrative in Today's Jewelry Market,”Wendy Brandes, Jewelry Designer; Brandee Dallow, Director, North America Representative Office—Diamonds Sales and Marketing, Rio Tinto; Orin J. Mazzoni, III, Director, “Sharing the Rough;” Melissa Quick President, Steve Quick Jeweler; Steve Quick, CEO and Founder, Steve Quick Jeweler; Trace Shelton, Editor in Chief, INSTORE Magazine; moderated by Andrea Hill, Founder and CEO, Hill Management Group, LLC. 3:00 – 3:45 p.m. “Alchemy, Dreams, and Gold: A Magical History Tour,” a presentation by Jack Ogden, Jewelry Historian and Industry Consultant. 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. “Strategies for Preserving Multi-Generational Businesses,” a panel presentation with Lita Asscher, President, Royal Asscher of America; Blair Lauren Brown, Jewelry Designer; Jean Z. Poh, Founder and CEO, Swoonery; Andrew Slesinger, Owner, Rough Diamond World; moderated by Brett Barton, Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. 4:45 – 5:30 p.m. “The Transformational Power of Jewelry,” a conversation with Pippa Small, Jewelry Designer, and Christina Miller, Industry Consultant.