JNA Awards expands categories for 2013 edition
HONG KONG, 11 March 2013 – Jewellery News Asia (JNA) has expanded the list of categories for the second edition of its JNA Awards, one of the most prestigious awards in the jewellery and gemstone industry.
At a press conference today, JNA announced that the 2013 Awards will be bestowed across 16 categories, compared to 11 in its inaugural edition last year.
The JNA Awards recognises and honours excellence and innovation in the sector, with a focus on companies and individuals that have made significant contributions to the trade in Asia.
The JNA Awards 2013 is led by Rio Tinto Diamonds and Chow Tai Fook as Headline Partners, with Gubelin, Israel Diamond Institute (IDI), KARP Group, Robert Wan Tahiti and the Shanghai Diamond Exchange as Honoured Partners. An international group of prominent industry experts will form the judging panel.
The current list of awards categories for 2013 is as follows:
• Brand of the Year—Retail
• Employer of the Year
• Industry Innovation of the Year—Manufacturing – Business
• Industry Innovation of the Year—Manufacturing – Technology
• Manufacturer of the Year—Diamond Cutting and Polishing
• Manufacturer of the Year—Coloured Gemstone Cutting & Polishing
• Manufacturer of the Year – Gem-set Jewellery
• Manufacturer of the Year – Precious Metal Only Jewellery
• Retailer of the Year
• E-tailer of the Year
• Outstanding Enterprise of the year– Mainland China
• Outstanding Enterprise of the year – India
• Outstanding Contribution of the year
• Store design of the Year
• Sustainability Initiative of the Year
• Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Companies and individuals may submit entries on behalf of themselves or others from mid-March to mid-May. The first stage of the judging process will begin in mid-May and end in mid-June. On 20 June the Honourees or shortlisted candidates will be announced. The Honourees and Recipients will be feted at a gala dinner and presentation ceremony at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong on 12 September during the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2013.
Today’s launch event was hosted by Wolfram Diener, Senior Vice President of UBM Asia Ltd; Letitia Chow, Founder of JNA and Director of Business Development – Jewellery Group at UBM Asia; and representatives of the Awards’ Headline Partners namely Rita Maltez, Manager Greater China Representative Office, Diamonds Sales and Marketing at Rio Tinto Diamonds; and Kent Wong, Managing Director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited.
Ramesh Virani, Director of KARP Group; Smit Virani, Director of KARP Jewellery; Heimiti Tikare, Marketing and Communication Officer of Robert Wan Tahiti; Alexandrine Wan of Robert Wan Tahiti; and Gilat Elizov Gefen, Managing Director of IDI Asia Pacific Limited were also present at the media event.
Commenting on the second annual JNA Awards, Letitia Chow, Founder of JNA and Director of Business Development – Jewellery Group at UBM Asia, said: “We are happy to see the evolution of the JNA Awards into one that is more reflective of the many changes and developments taking place in our industry. We have rebuilt the 2013 category list to better represent the core elements of the jewellery and gemstone industry. We are looking forward to seeing some of the most outstanding and innovative companies at the JNA Awards this year.”
“The second edition of the JNA Awards promises to further inspire and promote excellence in the jewellery and gemstone industry. I am looking forward to a very successful Awards programme this year,” said Wolfram Diener, Senior Vice President of UBM Asia Ltd.
Kent Wong, Managing Director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited, added: “The JNA Awards is a major event in Asia, the world’s largest jewellery market. Chow Tai Fook is very honoured to be one of the Headline Partners of the Awards for the second year, together with Rio Tinto Diamonds. In addition to recognising the most exceptional accomplishments of jewellery and gemstone companies, the Awards also plays an important role in driving the growth and development of the industry. Together, we will continue to uphold the highest standards of best business practices.”
“Rio Tinto’s sponsorship is part of our commitment to support innovation as a driver of growth in the diamond industry, particularly in the fast-growing market of Greater China.
I am looking forward to seeing many more great examples of innovative and talented individuals and companies uncovered and showcased through the JNA Awards, as was the case in 2012,” said Rita Maltez, Manager Greater China Representative Office, Diamonds Sales and Marketing at Rio Tinto Diamonds.
For more information about the JNA Awards, log on to our revamped JNA Awards website: http://www.jnaawards.com/.
