The sixth annual “Women in the Know” Conference (WITK) will be hosted by the Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, on March 6, 2008. The Conference attendance will be highlighted by the presence of award-winning actress, artist, dedicated humanitarian, and jewellery designer Jane Seymour. Jane will deliver WITK’s keynote address entitled “Translating Talent in the Arts to Jewelry.”

Fran Pennella, Vice President of Education for WJA and Director of Public Relations at David Yurman said, “While we have had many great names at each of the WITK events, it is truly an honor to have someone of Jane Seymour’s stature join us in March.” “We are so happy to welcome Ms. Seymour to our industry and to this WITK event. She will be an inspiration to us all.” Apart from her popular screen presence, Ms. Seymour recently created Open Hearts by Jane Seymour™ for Sterling Jewelers Inc., a complete fashion jewellery collection personally designed and sold exclusively in Kay® Jewelers and Jared® The Galleria of Jewelry stores across the country and on kay.com and jared.com. Inspired by Ms. Seymour's original "Healing Hearts" paintings in watercolors and oils, the Open Hearts design is a universal symbol of giving and receiving love.

Following Jane Seymour will be Nina DiSesa, Chairman of McCann Erickson, NY, and author of Seducing the Boys Club: Uncensored Tactics from a Woman at the Top. Also included in the conference are sessions on strategies for succeeding in a downward economy; how research can improve business; creating a sustainable career; and using online social networks to promote one’s products or services. A lunch presentation by the women of The New York Times best-selling book The Necklace: Thirteen Women and the Experiment That Transformed Their Lives will be followed by a first ever “Passion with Purpose” panel discussion, featuring a number of awe-inspiring, charitable women, according to WJA’s WITK NYC Co-chairs Brandee Dallow, Director of Communications at Julius Klein Group, and Anne Valentzas, Vice President of Marketing, Leo Schachter Diamonds.

Four morning breakout sessions include: Claudia Rose, Diamond Promotion Service, who will present “Winning or Losing in the Year Ahead: How Consumer Insights Can Make the Difference.”; Dr. Sarah Fitzharding and David Sisson of Galileo Research, who will present “Using Research to Better Your Business – No Matter How Big or Small.”; Suzanne DeVries, President, Diamond Staffing Solutions, who will discuss “Creating a Sustainable Career in an Uncertain Economy”; Carmina Perez, writer, speaker, and digital media marketing consultant, will present a session entitled “Web 2.0 for Jewelers.”

A lunch discussion will be hosted with Priscilla Van Gundy, one of the 13 women whose amazing story about a shared diamond necklace is captured in The Necklace: Thirteen Women and the Experiment That Transformed Their Lives, by Cheryl Jarvis. An afternoon keynote panel discussion entitled “Passion with Purpose,” comprised of a selection of women who have successfully built, run and/or grown their businesses while making significant contributions to important charitable, social, environmental, and familial issues, will be moderated by luxury brands specialist Carol Brodie, founder of Carol Brodie & Co. The discussion - “Passion with Purpose” will include keynote panelists: Lita Asscher, President of Royal Asscher® of America, Janet Goldman, Chairman and founding owner, Fragments, Joi Gordon, CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide, Kendra Scott, founder of Kendra Scott Design.

To sum up the event, a networking cocktail reception will be hosted, where the 2009 WJA “Shining Stars” will be honored. These respective WJA members are accomplished in their own careers and have demonstrated outstanding service and commitment to their chapters.

The event is open to all industry professionals. Its sponsors include Sterling Jewelers Inc., Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, and Platinum Guild International.