WJA Announces 2016 Awards for Excellence Nominees

(IDEX Online News) – The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) has announced the nominees for its annual Awards for Excellence, which recognizes outstanding contributions by female professionals in the jewelry and/or watch industries.

Award categories include design, manufacturer; dealer, supplier, retail; sales and merchandising; marketing and communications; editorial media; special services and watches.

Nominations for the awards are submitted by WJA members and industry professionals through an electronic nomination process open to all, which takes place during January. The awards committee, which consists of past winners, then selects the final nominees and also considers a nominee’s volunteer efforts within either the jewelry/watch industries and/or their local communities.

The WJA gala will take place at its new Hammerstein Ballroom location this year, and will also celebrate three WJA Hall of Fame honorees. The 2016 honorees announced earlier in the year are: Sissy Jones, owner of Sissy's Log Cabin, who will receive the WJA Lifetime Achievement Award; Peter Engel, president of Fred Meyer Jewelers, who will receive the Ben Kaiser Lifetime Achievement Award; and Ben Bridge Jewelers, which will receive the WJA Corporate Award.

"Each nominee exemplifies the great power, incredible work ethic, intellect and talent of women throughout the jewelry and watch industries," said Women's Jewelry Association leader Brandee Dallow. "These women are the leaders, mentors and influencers that will propel our business into the future.”