The North Carolina Jewelers Association works to provide services, both independently and in collaboration with Jewelers of America, that provide added value to your membership. Below are some of the services available to NCJA members:
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION
♦ Annual Convention
The NCJA Annual Convention offers educational opportunities including seminars hosted by nationally known speakers and industry experts; networking opportunities and roundtable discussions; a Discovery Room where Associate members show their line; and entertainment including the Bulova golf tournament, shag lessons, bingo tournament and President's Reception with a sit-down dinner, champagne toast and dancing.
♦ Scholarships
In honor of Jimmy Greene and in memory of William E. Thunberg, the North Carolina Jewelers Association annually offers a scholarship for GIA education as well as a scholarship for jewelers trade school for member store employees. Click here for a scholarship application.
Members and their employees may apply for annual Jewelers of America scholarships for the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Diamond Council of America (DCA), Jewelers Education Foundation (JEF) and the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (GEM-A). There's more information available on the seminars and scholarships or you may download a JA Scholarship Package . There will also be five full scholarships awarded annually to the International School of Gemology online registered gemologist progam. For more information on the program read below.
♦ International School of Gemology
We have formed a partnership with the International School of Gemology (ISG) to provide NCJA members a quality gemological education that is extremely affordable. This new service will offer each of our members a six course program through online, internet training which can be done at their own pace and the give them an amazing opportunity to earn their "Registered Gemologist" diploma. Just go to the ISG website and click on the NCJA logo to find out all the details about this great opportunity. To receive a scholarship application, email ncja@nc.rr.com.
Find out more on the professional development services offered to NCJA members.
BUSINESS-BUILDING TOOLS
♦ Jewelry Accents: Full-Service Private-Label Credit Card Program
The Jewelry Accents Credit Program exclusively for NCJA and JA members allows stores to offer their customers a new primary payment option – an in-store line of credit with which to buy their product. Get more details on the Jewelry Accents program.
♦ First National Merchant Solutions: Payment Processing
First National provides customized payment processing programs.The program is based exclusively on the collective Visa and MasterCard sales volume of NCJA as a group, not just the volume of individual members. So all NCJA members will receive the most competitive rates without sacrificing service. First National Merchant Solutions is waiting to hear from you.
Find out more information on the business-building services offered through NCJA and JA.
PROMOTIONAL RESOURCES
♦ Tiara Program
Three free tiaras per year are available to member stores for promotional opportunities with local fairs, pageants, and homecomings. Find out more about the Tiara Program.
♦ Seminars for Community Outreach
The JA Community Outreach Program helps members support their community by offering educational seminars and consumer-oriented presentations at schools, clubs, societies and other relevant organizations. Click and scroll down to read more about the Outreach Seminars.
♦ Direct Mail Postcards
JA postcards are ideal for direct mail campaigns, streamlining jewelers' marketing efforts. The postcards allow JA members to reach current and potential customers through the mail. Here's more information on Direct Mail Postcards and other marketing tools available to NCJA members.
Find out more information on the promotional resources offered through NCJA and JA.
OTHER BENEFITS INCLUDE
♦ Bimonthly newsletter
♦ Annual directory
♦ Video library