By Katherine Bodoh, RJ
As we wait for the new decade to unfold, let鈥檚 look back at some highlights from 2019.
Embracing Innovation:聽In the fall, the 黑料老司机 announced two new programs. We launched 鈥�digital badging鈥� credentials for AGS members鈥攖he first of its kind in the jewelry industry. Digital badges are graphical icons indicating members鈥� credentials and accomplishments and are added to email signatures, websites, and social media. Jewelry buyers can click on the member鈥檚 badge which then provides further details about why the member earned the badge. AGS Laboratories also launched聽Digital Grading Reports, which serve as an official grading report. The reports reduce operational costs for everyone in the supply chain and help reduce waste.
Increasing Benefits:聽In the spring, we presented two new benefits. The first allowed members to offer affordable healthcare to their team through聽. The second provides shipping solutions through聽Jewelers Mutual Shipping Solutions. In the early fall, we launched our聽Industry Information Center, which houses white papers and articles from industry experts on a wide variety of topics, including laboratory-grown diamonds, anti-money laundering, and other important issues. We also launched our聽Social Media Monthly聽enews. We are always seeing ways to add value to our membership. Therefore, this past year, our team focused on gathering feedback and assessing data to ensure that we are investing resources into what you deem most valuable.
Building Community:聽Through the Guilds and Young Titleholders meetings and events, our members are engaging with each other, and continuing their learning throughout the year. The annual Conclave in Seattle, WA offered three days focused on enhancing gemological training for our members as well as their education by offering sessions in sales, marketing, human resources, and financial management. This summer鈥檚 Circle of Distinction Dinner was a celebration with AGS members as well as non-members, coming together for a night honoring excellence in the jewelry industry. In the year ahead, we hope you鈥檒l take advantage of one of the many networking opportunities offered in the AGS.
We plan to increase our focus, time and attention into engaging with the community. You will continue to see more outreach and contact from the team at AGS. This is an organization for all our members, and we want to hear all your voices so that we can continue to enhance or create new ways to bring positive energy to the Society.
Thank you for being part of this wonderful community. I look forward to our 86th year! If you have thoughts or feedback, I am grateful to receive it. Please email me at聽[email protected].
With gratitude and well wishes for 2020.
Katherine Bodoh, RJ
CEO, 黑料老司机 and AGS Laboratories