Revised 1/27/2022 —  ATLANTA, GA — Southern Jewelry Travelers Association (SJTA), producer of the Atlanta Jewelry Show, is pleased to announce its 2022 Board of Directors. Annual elections were held on November 19, 2021. The Board of Directors provides strategic direction for the continued growth of the Atlanta Jewelry Show and support of SJTA’s mission: engaging and fostering a collaborative community, promoting trade and long-term success, optimizing Return-On-Investment, education, and inspiring its stakeholders to embrace and thrive in the ever-changing business environment with integrity, kindness, and unmatched hospitality.

The 2022 Executive Board is comprised of: President: Steve Binder, (Lafonn); Executive Vice President: Rhett Hartzog; Vice President: Tom Schlotman, (Victor Corporation); Secretary-Treasurer: Joseph Tsui, (Empire Corporation).

President Steve Binder says, “I am personally delighted to welcome such a strong group of board members, and I look forward to serving with each of them in the coming year. I’m also very pleased that this team will lead the next chapter of our work, as they have individually demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing SJTA’s mission, and we’re looking forward their leadership.”

The 2022 Directors include: Elesa Dillon, (Southern Jewelry & Mid-America Jewelry News); Lou Mazza, (Raymond Mazza), and Allison Peck, (Brevani / Color Merchants). New 2022 Advisors have been appointed: Jamie Schaller, (Bulova); and Ross Wesdorp, (Jewel-Craft) and will serve a one-year term.

Introduced in 2022, SJTA established the position of Show Ambassador. These appointed members are charged with representing SJTA in a positive light and helping increase community awareness and engagement. As volunteer members, appointees embody the SJTA identity, promote the Atlanta Jewelry Show, and serve as liaison between SJTA stakeholders and the association. The following 2022 Ambassadors will serve a one-year term: Lead Ambassador, Rajesh Lalwani, (Roma Designs);  Allan Cagle, (Soprafino & Brilliant Elements); and Suresh (Sam) Mulani, (Reko Settings).

“We are extremely grateful to work with this impressive list of volunteer board members,” said SJTA Executive Director Libby Brown. “Each one of them provides our team with a unique background and perspective and we look forward to their expertise and guidance this year,” A heartfelt thank you to all past board members and to our returning officers and directors,” Brown continued.

The first event of 2022 is the SoHo Experience by AJS, an in-person event scheduled for March 4-6. Attendees are strongly encouraged to pre-register at www.atlantajewelryshow.com/buyers/register/

About SJTA

Founded in 1950, the show’s official sponsor and producer, the Southern Jewelry Travelers Association (SJTA), is the nation’s oldest association for independent jewelry representatives. For nearly 72 years, Atlanta has been the host of the Atlanta Jewelry Show, a comprehensive gathering of the jewelry profession, which features education, order writing, networking, and fun. For information about the Spring event, March 5-6, 2022, visit atlantajewelryshow.com, email info@atlantajewelryshow.com or call 800-241-0399 or 404-634-3434. For more information, contact Judy Lince, SJTA Membership Director at jlince@atlantajewelryshow.com.