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| Volume 1, Issue 4, May 7, 2007 | |
| A Message from Bill Boyajian | |
 The Roman Empire
established an efficient road network to support its international
trading system, and those roads were marked every mile with a stone to
show travelers that they were on a Roman road, and where they were in
relation to the city of Rome. The Emperor Augustus had a gold gilded
column placed in the Forum to mark the center of the city, and all
Roman roads started there—
hence the phrase “all roads lead to Rome.”
The term “milestone” has since evolved into common usage as a term to denote progress in everything from product development to medical research. Since we officially launched the World Jewelry Center on October 25, 2006, we have reached several important milestones. Each one has taken us to a new level of development and advanced the project another step toward the ultimate goal of creating the world’s finest international trading center for the gem, jewelry, pearl, and watch industries. Starting with our initial group of ten industry leaders who signed Letters of Intent (LOI) to purchase space in the World Jewelry Center, we have progressed steadily through our personal presentations at major jewelry shows and in cities all over the world. We have now exceeded 60 companies and organizations from 10 countries, including such luminaries as the American Gem Society, Robert Wan Tahiti, Hearts On Fire, Chow Tai Fook, House of Taylor, Tasaki Shinju, GIA, Shrenuj & Company, ColorMasters, Dhamani Jewels, Alan Friedman Designs, and the Avi Paz Group, among so many others. The momentum is clearly strong, as more industry leaders embrace the vision of this momentous project and see its great benefits for their businesses. Our recent visit to the Basel World watch and jewelry show proved to be yet another milestone, as we introduced the European market to the World Jewelry Center, starting with a wonderful dinner at the famous Bottmingen Castle. We hosted guests from 19 countries and five continents––a truly international event befitting the flavor of Basel World. Our meetings and presentations in Basel were met with warmth and enthusiasm, and we anticipate adding new firms from Greece, India, Thailand, Lithuania, Australia, Turkey, Canada, Russia, and the U.S. to our growing family of participants. In the next few weeks, I will attend the International Colored Gemstone Association Congress in Dubai, where I will deliver a keynote speech and also have many appointments and presentations about the World Jewelry Center. I will follow that with a visit to the Vicenza trade fair, which will include a high-level event with Italian jewelry industry leaders. Then it will be on to Moscow, where we will host an important reception and dinner for leaders of the Russian jewelry trade. The JCK Show in Las Vegas will cap off this series of upcoming events, and we will be there in force, ready to meet with dozens of interested trade leaders and make presentations throughout the show. We will start with a press conference at the Mirage Hotel on May 31, and we encourage all media to attend. We will host a reception on June 1 at the Venetian. Please plan to attend that. Or, you can make an appointment for a personal presentation at your convenience. We will also operate hospitality rooms throughout the show. Please contact me or our team (see bottom of the newsletter for contact information) for your appointment. There are many milestones yet to be reached in the development of the World Jewelry Center. Not all roads lead to Las Vegas, but many do. I invite you to join us on this exciting journey. |
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| Gemological Institute of America Joins World Jewelry Center to Offer Education | Basel Event Introduces European Market to World Jewelry Center |
 The
Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has signed a Letter of Intent to
procure space in the World Jewelry Center for its education programs.
GIA President Donna Baker said the decision to become part of the WJC will support the Institute’s worldwide education system. “We see our presence in the World Jewelry Center as a logical step in furthering the development of GIA’s education programs to support our mission of serving the public trust in gems and jewelry,” said Baker. “There is growing demand for gemological training, and the World Jewelry Center provides an excellent venue for offering GIA’s essential instruction in Las Vegas and Southern Nevada.” Baker said there will be two full classrooms in the WJC trade tower equipped to accommodate a variety of the Institute’s courses. “We are delighted that the world’s foremost authority in gemology will be part of the World Jewelry Center,” said WJC Managing Director Bill Boyajian. “Having GIA’s renowned education classes in our trade tower will be a most welcome addition, and an especially convenient location for members of the trade and public, who either live in the area or will fly in to our popular destination city.” GIA currently has 14 education locations, including three in the U.S. (Carlsbad, Calif., New York, and Los Angeles), and 11 overseas (Florence; Tokyo; Osaka; Bangkok; London; Hong Kong; Seoul; Moscow; Taiwan; Beijing; and Mumbai). |
 The
World Jewelry Center held its European debut with a reception and
dinner for 100 guests at the famous Bottmingen Castle on April 15,
during the Basel World watch and jewelry show. “We really wanted to introduce the vision of the World Jewelry Center to the European market, along with many other visitors who were attending the Basel World show,” said WJC Managing Director Bill Boyajian. There were 19 countries and five continents represented at the WJC event, and leaders of a number of firms who previously signed Letters of Intent for space in the trade tower were also on hand to help acquaint guests with the WJC. Boyajian made a presentation on the WJC’s progress to date, pointing out that more than 60 companies have signed LOIs to participate, with nearly 200,000 square feet of space already reserved in the trade tower alone. “It was very gratifying to receive so much interest in the World Jewelry Center from such a diverse group of distinguished leaders of the world’s top gem, jewelry, pearl, and watch companies,” said Boyajian. “We are anticipating LOIs soon from companies in Greece, India, Thailand, Lithuania, Australia, Turkey, Canada, Russia, and the U.S., as a result of our meetings in Basel.” Please click here to view a photo gallery from the WJC reception and dinner in Basel. |
Photo above: The Gemological Institute of America plans to teach its renowned gemology courses in the World Jewelry Center. Photo Copyright Gemological Institute of America. Reprinted by permission. |
Photo above: (From left): Tasanee Sirikietsoong, Managing Director of Premier Gems Trading Company; World Jewelry Center Managing Director Bill Boyajian; and Inkatanuvat Wanthani, President of Premier Gems Trading Company, shared a moment during the WJC’s reception and dinner in Basel on April 15. |
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World Jewelry Center Outlines Key Benefits of Its Foreign Trade Zone World Jewelry Center planners have outlined key benefits of the Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) that will be part of the international gem and jewelry industry hub. “In all of my presentations and discussions with jewelry industry leaders worldwide, the Foreign Trade Zone invariably comes up as one of the most important reasons for locating in the World Jewelry Center,” said WJC Managing Director Bill Boyajian. “And it’s certainly easy to understand why.” Duty is charged only when goods leave the FTZ and enter the commerce of the United States. Therefore, businesses operating in the WJC will realize immediate cash-flow benefits. In addition, no duty is owed on goods that are re-exported. Goods can also be stored indefinitely within the FTZ in a secure environment, again with no duty charged unless or until they are sold and shipped to a customer in the U.S. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, FTZs were created to stimulate economic growth and development in the United States. Benefits of operating in an FTZ include financial savings related to Customs entry process fees, duty advantages, logistical benefits, and time savings through reduced paperwork. Direct delivery to the FTZ reduces the time usually consumed by inspections or possible delays at borders or docks. Weekly entry of goods into the FTZ reduces Customs Broker fees and merchandise processing fees. The WJC will have Customs Brokers on the premises. Merchandise entering the FTZ may be assembled, re-labeled, mixed, processed, displayed, cleaned, repackaged, tested, manipulated, salvaged, destroyed, repaired, stored, manufactured, or sampled, without incurring duty fees. “Las Vegas is the new business gateway hub of the southwest U.S., and a key destination city, accessible from almost anywhere, with all major transportation systems represented,” said Boyajian. “The tax advantages of operating a business in Las Vegas, and the Foreign Trade Zone designation, provide powerful reasons for gem, jewelry, pearl, and watch companies who are either expanding or establishing a foothold in the U.S. market to become part of the World Jewelry Center.” |
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Plans for Boutique Hotel-Condo in Union Park Announced by Celebrity Chef Charlie Palmer Celebrity chef Charlie Palmer has announced plans to build a boutique hotel-condominium in Union Park, home of the World Jewelry Center, and it will reflect not only Palmer’s name, but also his style in cuisine and amenities. According to press reports, the property will offer a five-star quality environment and at least 400 rooms. A portion of the rooms will be condo-hotel rooms. The hotel will have Palmer’s own signature restaurants, including a dramatic high-rise one overlooking Union Park. Other amenities will include a large spa and pool. Current articles in the Las Vegas Business Press and Newsweek provide detailed reports about this new development in Union Park, including comments from Palmer himself. World Market Center Hits Top U.S. Trade Show List for 2006 The World Market Center, located across from the World Jewelry Center, was rated among the top U.S. trade shows in 2006 for its January market, according to Tradeshow Week 200, which ranks trade shows every year. Please see the full report in the Las Vegas Review Journal. Las Vegas Stratosphere Sale Linked to Potential Blockbuster Land Deal The well-known high-rise Stratosphere in Las Vegas is being sold by Carl Icahn and his American Entertainment Properties Corporation. But the most intriguing aspect of the transaction is the 17-acre land parcel that goes with it. The undeveloped land could prove to be a highly lucrative acquisition, based on how it is developed. For a full report on this, please see the article in the Las Vegas Review Journal. |
Press Conference, Special Reception, Presentations Set by WJC During JCK Show If you are attending the JCK Show in Las Vegas, mark your calendar for a personal presentation, or to take advantage of the World Jewelry Center’s many activities. Media Invited to Press Conference May 31 at the Mirage Hotel For news media, a press conference will be held on May 31, at 4 p.m., at the Mirage Hotel. WJC officials, companies who have signed LOIs to purchase space in the WJC, and a Foreign Trade Zone expert will participate and be available for questions. All jewelry trade media are invited. Please RSVP to aangelle@worldjewelrycenter.com. Special Presentation and Reception June 1 at the Venetian The WJC will host a special presentation and reception on June 1, at 6:30 p.m., in the Lando Ballroom of the Venetian Hotel, for all business leaders who are interested in the World Jewelry Center. Attend this presentation to learn about the many important benefits of doing business in the World Jewelry Center, from the tariff-free Foreign Trade Zone, to the tax savings for corporations and individuals, and much more. A Foreign Trade Zone expert will also participate in this event. Please e-mail info@worldjewelrycenter.com, or call 310-888-8864 to attend this event. Make an Appointment for a Personal Presentation World Jewelry Center representatives will be available throughout the JCK Show for personal appointments and presentations. The WJC will also have hospitality rooms open throughout the show. Please contact any of the WJC representatives noted at the bottom of this newsletter for a personal presentation. |
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World Jewelry Center City green-lights tax break for Las Vegas Premium Outlets Downtown Las Vegas Gets a lot of Action Downtown's time is now |
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| If you would like further information, about the World Jewelry Center please click here or contact: | |
Bill Boyajian Jane Lynch-Rush |
Corporate and Sales Offices: 421 North Beverly Drive, Suite 350 Beverly Hills, California 90210 U.S.A. T: (310) 888 8864 | F: (310) 858 9155 info@worldjewelrycenter.com |
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| The World Jewelry CenterSM is owned and developed by Heritage Nevada VIII, LLC, a single purpose entity. Heritage Nevada VIII, LLC reserves the right to change concepts, prices, features, amenities, and dimensions at its sole discretion and without notice. Model's do not reflect racial preference. You have received this email because you chose to receive email and other communications from us. This email is commercial in nature and may contain advertising materials for the World Jewelry Center. We adhere to all state and federal anti-spam laws. To unsubscribe, please click on the link below. Contact Info: World Jewelry Center, 421 North Beverly Drive, Suite 350, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Feel free to review our TERMS OF USE and PRIVACY POLICY. © World Jewelry Center 2007. | |