Austin, Texas\u2014The Texas Jewelers Association will celebrate its 120th anniversary at its upcoming convention.<\/p>\n
It will be held Oct. 10\u201311 at the Austin Marriott South in Austin, Texas.<\/p>\n
Retail jewelers and industry professionals from Texas and across the country are invited to attend the event, which the association said will center on education, connection, and camaraderie.<\/p>\n
The convention will kick off Saturday, Oct. 10, with the TJA Shoot Out, a friendly competition at The Range at Austin.<\/p>\n
It is open to jewelers and their guests, and prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place.<\/p>\n
That evening, the President\u2019s Party will be held from 7-9 p.m. at the Austin Marriott South.<\/p>\n
The event will feature music, cocktails, refreshments, and networking opportunities. <\/p>\n
Educational programming will take place on Sunday, Oct. 11.<\/p>\n
David Baker, G.G., will present \u201cLaser Sawing of Diamond Crystals Revisited: What\u2019s Happened in the Last 45 Years?\u201d and Doug Hucker, G.G., will present \u201cBeyond the Rainbow: Our Dazzling Journey Through the World of Colored Gemstones.\u201d<\/p>\n
There will also be a panel discussion titled \u201cHow to Hire and Keep Good Employees and Jewelers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leela Hutchison, one of the individuals in the first group of explorers to enter the Giant Selenite Crystal Caves of Naica in Chihuahua, Mexico, will share her experience too.<\/p>\n
Lunch and awards will follow the educational sessions.<\/p>\n
In the afternoon, the TJA Discovery Room will open, offering retailers the opportunity to meet industry vendors, explore products and services, and develop business connections.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is more than a convention\u2014it is the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Texas Jewelers Association,\u201d said Rita Wade, TJA operations director. <\/p>\n
\u201cTexas may be in our name, but we welcome retailers and jewelry professionals from across the country to join us in Austin as we celebrate 120 years and look toward the future.\u201d<\/p>\n