Industry gathers for Canadian Jewellers 24 Karat Club gala
by eyetee | November 7, 2012 9:06 pm
By Jacquie De Almeida
The glamour of Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Hotel had nothing on the festivities inside its famed Imperial Room, as the Canadian Jewellers 24 Karat Club gathered for its yearly gala dinner.
A who’s who of the Canadian jewellery industry—including Jewellery Business publisher, Erik Tolles, and managing editor, Jacquie De Almeida—attended the soirée, which coincides with the club’s annual general meeting.
About 235 members and guests feasted on beef tenderloin tournedos ‘Rossini’ with foie gras butter and white truffle mashed potatoes. The evening’s entertainment came in the form of Day Tripper, a Beatles tribute band. From mop-top haircuts and Edwardian collarless suits to the military outfits of the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album, the quartet delivered note-for-note renditions of Beatles’ classics.
“The club’s gala evening is the only event where we invite guests and is always planned to be first class in all respects,” said past-president, John Egli of Bulova Watch Co. “This year’s event followed this tradition, and from the early feedback, was enjoyed by all. The planning of this evening starts as soon as the last one ends. It is sometimes a daunting task and is executed by the club’s executive. This year’s event was spearheaded by Brian Land, our incoming president.”
Founded in 1957, the Canadian Jewellers 24 Karat Club was designed to be a fellowship that brought together members, retailers, and suppliers in a social environment. Although it was originally Ontario-based, the club now has members from across the country. Â
“The jewellery industry is very much a personal industry made up of independent retailers and suppliers and the club provides a cohesive opportunity for these individuals to meet and develop relationships,” Egli adds.
Membership—which is capped at 75 active members—is by invitation-only. As members move from active to the senior or life designation, spots are opened up, and prospective members are nominated and seconded. A series of letters of recommendation from existing members is also required. In addition to an initiation fee, members pay annual dues.
The following will serve as the current executive for the coming year:
- Brian Land, an independent jewellery consultant, as president;
- Joe Goncalves, owner of Time Central, as vice-president;
- Gino DeVuono, director of sales at Movado Group, as treasurer; and
- John Egli, vice-president of special markets at Bulova Watch Co., as immediate past-president.
Source URL: https://www.jewellerybusiness.com/news/industry-gathers-for-canadian-jewellers-24-karat-club-gala/