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		MIDWEST JEWELRY EXPO JOINS FORCES WITH THE INSTORE SHOW (April 2, 2008) One of the longest-running regional events in the jewelry industry, the Midwest Jewelry Expo, is joining forces with THE INSTORE SHOW, in what will be one of the jewelry industry's major national events beginning in 2009. THE INSTORE SHOW will hold its debut event at Chicago's Navy Pier from April 19-21. The Wisconsin Jewelers Association, who has presented The Midwest Jewelry Expo each spring since 1934 held its final edition in Madison, WI on March 29-30. Both the Wisconsin Jewelers Association and the organizers of THE INSTORE SHOW are excited about the partnership, and see it as an example of how industry groups with common values can work together for the good of jewelers. Joe Pankratz, Treasurer of the Wisconsin Jewelers Association, and owner of Avenue Jewelers in Appleton, WI tells the story of how the partnership came about. "We've always felt that, as a magazine, INSTORE understood and served jewelers in a special way." said Pankratz. "So when we heard that INSTORE was considering a show in the Midwest in the spring, the board of the Wisconsin Jewelers Association was immediately interested." Members of the Wisconsin Jewelers Association met with THE INSTORE SHOW organizers and after several weeks of discussions a cooperative agreement was signed. After the meeting, WJA President Peter Vander Zanden said, "THE INSTORE SHOW has the chance to be a great trade event — one that could potentially bring totally new levels of buying and educational opportunities to all jewelers, especially ones in the Midwest. The Wisconsin Jewelers Association will throw our full support behind THE INSTORE SHOW." Dan Kisch, publisher of INSTORE, was pleased at the alliance. "From the start, we always knew we'd do our trade show in the Midwest," said Kisch. "It's a major market that's under-served. When we saw we had a chance to work with The Wisconsin Jewelers Association, and then realized how closely our goals were aligned, the decision to work together was an easy one." Said Pankratz: "We're excited by the innovative ideas we've heard so far from THE INSTORE SHOW team. And are even more excited to see those ideas turned into reality." Both groups are sure the cooperation agreement will translate into an even faster start for the jewelry industry's newest event — THE INSTORE SHOW. For more information contact Jim Reed at 212-786-7943 or via e-mail at Jim@instoremag.com.
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