MJSA, the U.S. trade association dedicated to professional excellence in jewelry making and design, has launched a series of free webinars focused on helping businesses navigate the current disruptions and future impacts caused by the COVID-19 crisis.
The first session, which took place March 26, focused on questions that the pandemic has raised about insurance coverage, safe shipping practices, and legal issues. It featured Sara Yood of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee and several members of Jewelers Mutual Group.
Going forward, the webinars will run every Thursday at 1 p.m. EDT. Hosted by Andrea Hill, they will feature experts both inside and outside the jewelry industry, addressing key concerns related to the pandemic and its consequences:
April 2: Best Online Strategies for Volume Producers
Direct advice, tips, and tools for B2B producers to step up their online services.
April 9: Best Online Strategies for Studio Producers
Marketing and selling guidance for the designer and studio producer community.
April 16: How Do Global Crises Affect Styles and Material Preferences?
Design, style, and the materials that jewelry designers use have been greatly influenced by major world events (World War I, the Great Depression, World War II). This session will present potential shifts in consumer tastes as a result of COVID-19, and the ways that designers can respond to them based on lessons from the past.
April 23: Manufacturing Tomorrow—Considerations for Globalization
The globalization of manufacturing has been the standard for the jewelry industry for the past 25 years. But after a year of painful tariffs, followed by the implications of a global shutdown, how should we be thinking about globalization in the future?
April 30: Manufacturing Tomorrow—Additive Manufacturing
Will heightened consciousness of the risks in remote production lead to an increase in additive manufacturing at home? What is the current state of the technology, and what developments can we expect to see in the near future?
May 7: Ramping Back Up—Getting Back in Business after COVID-19
A global shutdown of this magnitude is unprecedented. How do we start back up? What must we consider commercially, legally, and from an employment standpoint? How do we manage cash flow, insurance, and ramping up advertising? This session will explore all of these questions. (Note: This session may be rescheduled based on market conditions.)
May 14: The NEW Retail Forecast—Back in Business after COVID-19
The future of retail has been a big discussion for years, driven by changes caused by the way digital selling channels have affected commerce and consumer expectations. These changes will likely accelerate after the experience of COVID-19. This session will analyze and discuss the expected impact.
All sessions are open and free to the industry. To register, go to the MJSA Webinars page on MJSA.org.